The 43rd annual Elliston Wool Show was held recently, with stiff competition across the lower Eyre Peninsula. Hosted by Elliston Area School, participants donated fleeces to the competition, with one local farming family coming out on top. Lairg Station, Sheringa, farmer Peter Reynolds, who farms with parents John and Mary and enters the show every year, was awarded the champion fleece award for a fine wool hogget fleece. The fleece came from a Merino hogget, which Mr Reynolds said stood out due to its bold, crimpy and even wool type. Although much of the state has experienced a drier than average year, a wet June with about 100 millimetres of rain may have made a difference to the fleece, according to Mr Reynolds. Judged on trueness to type, length, soundness handle, colour, character and style as well as weight, all fleeces received a score out of 100. Judged by Elders' Claire Loveridge and Zack Wilson, the competition was tight across the board. "To be honest, it is so hard because they're all running on very similar properties," Ms Loveridge said. "The only thing that varies slightly if you're around Elliston and above or Sheringa and below is the rainfall and how the season changes. "There was a couple of families that really excelled this year but every year it changes depending on what the season does." Ms Loveridge said bright, white wool was apparent across most entrants this year. "It was another year of some awesome styles coming through and plenty of weight within most fleeces," she said. "We use the national judging rules so it gets judged on 10 different qualities, and this year bloom was certainly something that stood out. "The veg matter was also the lowest I've seen it for a long time being that the season was so late." Elliston Area School principal Chad Fleming said the event was the biggest fundraiser of the school year. "We had more than 60 fleeces donated and approximately 15 lambs fleeces as well," he said. "All baled up, it went into two bales, which is amazing and we're really grateful to the local farming families for taking part." In addition to a major fundraiser, Mr Fleming said the event was a key learning experience for the students. "It's a shines a bright light on the the wool industry," he said. "Our students are also involved in the Elders circuit sale, so they both give great exposure for the industry. "We obviously have students from farming families, but it's also exposing students who are not familiar with farming and gives them an insight into agriculture as a career." The Most Appealing Fleece, supported by White River Merino and Poll Merino Stud, was picked up by Penna Bros, Mount Wedge, while the Most Appealing Hogget Fleece Donated, supported by Collandra North Poll Merino Stud, was won by CD Watson and Co, Tooligie. In the ewe or wether fine wool category, Penna Bros won both first and second place in addition to first and second place in the ewe or wether medium wool category. Meanwhile, in the ewe or wether strong wool category SL and RJ Agars, Elliston, took home the top honour, while Penna Bros finished second. Lairg Station picked up first place in the hogget fine wool category and SL and RJ Agars were named second. For the hogget medium wool category, BC Rowe picked up the first prize, while Honner Bros, Elliston, was awarded second, while the hogget strong wool category was won by SL and RJ Agars who also took home second place. The Commercial Value Fleece category was won by D&P Vorstenbosch with Penna Bros in second place. The lamb prizes were won by Ajax Sommerville, Siahli, Ethan and Noah Sibenaler, and Lukas Newton.
