The 32nd Bromar NSW Dorset Championships will be held in Cowra on June 15 and 16 from 9am each day at the Showground. Entries are steadily coming in from as far afield as Victoria, Tamworth, Walgett and plenty from Crookwell.
Bromar is again the major sponsor of the NSW Dorset Championships and has been for a few years, this year donating a lick feeder. This year the Chief Steward Roger Traves would like to welcome Conron Stock Crete as a new sponsor. Other sponsors include Clipex, Zoetis, Merial, Allan Gray & Co, Cowra Council, Ceva Animal Health Products, Advance Animal Nutrition Forbes and McClintocks. Hamilton Engineering are sponsors of the Breeders Dinner on Friday night.
This year increases have been made to the June classes (born after 1st June 2017) to include junior, intermediate and senior champion ram. The Championships will also introduce a Novice Ram Lamb and Ewe Lamb class, in previous years it was just Ram Lamb and Ewe Lamb Class. This will encourage new and younger breeders and schools to enter this section. “We pride ourselves on a relaxed and very family friendly show. This is a reason why Cowra is so supported. Allowing people to show their sheep in a competitive but
friendly atmosphere with fierce competition,” said Roger Traves, Chief Steward.
“Even though we have had very dry conditions throughout NSW this season, we appreciate the effort that the breeders have put into their sheep in preparation for the NSW Dorset Championships and other shows this season,” said Mr Traves.
This year’s selected judge is Mr Julian Iles from Killara Stud in Sorell, Tasmania, he and his wife Dell will be enjoying time in the Cowra Region during their stay for the competition. At this year’s Poll Dorset Championshipsthe Inaugural School Competition will commence, being the first of its kind.
Chris Marr, School Competition Coordinator said he is expecting a few local entries from some schools that have shown interest. Two judges will be judging the sheep as well as the school teams with the judges then combining their scores.
“There could be the opportunity to build this section in the future and become a mixed breed competition sometime in the future,” said Chris Marr, School Competition Coordinator.
Local studs heading to this year’s NSW Poll Dorset Championships include Cranbrook Poll Dorset Stud, Gererdan Poll Dorsets, Kinellar and Pine Creek. Victoria Patterson of Kinellar Stud says that “Despite the dry season, the ewes have been lambing very well with approximately 300 lambs arriving in a week in early April. These lambs were primarily from the AI program and we are thrilled with these lambs showing excellent early growth.”
Phil Balcomb from Cranbrook Poll Dorset Stud will be showing his prize winning rams who have all won at the Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo and Sydney Royal Shows along with some new season lambs.
Chris Marr from Gererdan Poll Dorsets will be exhibiting six rams this year. While Pine Creek will be taking a few new lambs, a ram lamb and three or four adult rams and ewes to the Championships.