Friday 10 August 2012
Australia
Elders wool clip of the year
Stepnell Farms Pty Ltd of Lexton won its first Elders Clip of the Year with its Stockton-blood March-April shorn clip that sold in May for up to 1351 cents a kilogram at Hamilton's Sheepvention.
Elders showroom manager Mal Nicholls said the clip featured good measured results, style, preparation and paperwork guided by Central Shearing Services Edenhope classer Malcolm Standley, classing the clip for the first time.
The Stepnells' winning Illalangi clip was 81 per cent fleece that tested at 17.9 micron with a yield of 78.1 per cent, tensile strength of 43N/kt, a staple length of 85mm and 0.3 per cent vegetable matter.
Stockton Merino stud principal Allan Stewart classed the Illalangi ewe weaners each year and Mr Standley said the fine wool clip was very even and clean.
Stepnell Farms principal John Stepnell said Mr Standley was probably the best classer the clip had had.
"The season suited us and the classer," he said.
Mr Stepnell also gave credit to his wife Val for putting the flock on to Stockton rams 16 years ago, and to farm managers, his son and daughter-in-law Carl and Samantha, and their daughter Courtney, 17, who works as a farm apprentice.
"They are absolutely spot on with their work on paddock rotations, worm control and supplementary feeding."
The Stepnells run about 18,000 sheep on 1800ha.
Source: weeklytimesnow.com.au
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