The Paterson family, from the Armidale Merino Stud in Gimmerburn, won the Clipper of the Year title after taking out the stud herd category.
Charlie Hore and Belinda Colling, from Patearoa Station in the Maniototo, won the commercial herd category.
Simon Paterson, owner of Armidale, said he was “ecstatic” to win the top prize.
“It’s really cool.”
Farmers entered the Shear of the Year competition by calculating the value of the wool they harvested in a season and dividing it by the number of sheep sheared to produce the shear.
The farm with the highest average value won.
Factors behind the victory included a good wool growing season in the Maniototo and keeping the weight of his herd through good management and nutrition.
“All of our best wool has met the specifications for our contracts – it really made a big difference.”
He thanked Peter Lyon Shearing for preparing the clip and ensured that the best wool remained inside.
“Good shearers and good wool handlers make a big difference.”
The stud has taken out the top title a few times before, the last victory being about five years ago.
Armidale sold his clip to Norwegian merino clothing manufacturer Devold.
He also thanked Devold Wool Direct, the buying arm of the company, Craig “Smithy” Smith, general manager of New Zealand, for the role he played in the victory.
Justin Willson, chairman of the association, said in his speech at the function in Queenstown on June 17, while the coming months seemed “quite challenging” to farmers, there were still people who recognized the value of merino sheep “and his wonderful gentleness wool and soft meat “. “.
About 125 fleeces were donated to the Child Cancer Foundation Fleece Competition, won by the Cameron family, from Otematata Station.
The association’s long-standing relationship with the foundation has raised more than $ 350,000 for the charity.
About 160 people attended the event and presentations were made to Mike Hargadon, of the New Zealand Merino Company, and cloud classifier Barbara Newton, who is retiring from the association.
—Additional Reporting Sally Rae.
fleece results
Results of the Nikke Childhood Cancer Skin Competition. –
Medium micron (18 and stronger): Waitangi, 1; Ahuriri Downs, 2; Tara Hills, 3.
Fine (17.1-17.9): Matangi, 1; Glencairn, 2; Patearoa, 3.
Superfyn (16.4-17): Otematata, 1; Upton Fells, 2; Mt Nicholas, 3.
Ultrafine (16.3 and finer): Matarae, 1; Northburn, 2; Matarae, 3.
Overall winner: Otematata.
NZWTA track of the year. –
Up to 17 microns: Patearoa, 1; Waikeri Downs, 2; Matarae, 3.
More than 17 microns: Armidale, 1; Benmore, 2; Buskot, 3.
Stud: Armidale.
Commercial herd: Patearoa.
Overall: Armidale.