HISTORY repeated itself last Wednesday at the 28th annual State Ewe Hogget Competition.
Judged in near-perfect conditions at the Newdegate Machinery Field Days, the nine-strong competition line-up impressed judges and onlookers alike.
But just like last year, it was a line submitted by Carlo Varone, C & E Varone, Hyden, who was represented by farm worker Jay Galbraith on the day, which took out the Dyson Jones-sponsored top honours.
Mr Galbraith said the young ewes were bred from Lewisdale and Seymour Park bloodlines and, just like in 2013, were a product of the relatively good season.
"We were really happy with how they filled out this season," he said.
"They were on stubbles throughout the summer and we continue to make an effort each year to get all our lambs on one or two stubbles at some point."
It was the third time the Varones had won the award after taking out the top prize last year and in the 2008 competition.
This year their line scored 890 points, 45 points shy of the 935 points scored in the 2013 event.
Ben and Arlene Sutherland, Chinocup Holdings, Nyabing, presented the Elders-sponsored runner-up line of ewes which scored 855 points.
Mr Sutherland said the ewes were bred from St Quentin bloodlines, which they had been on for about 14 years.
"We've been lucky enough to have a couple of pretty good seasons at Nyabing," he said.
"The sheep were also on lupin stubbles at the start of the year, which boosted their growth during the summer months."
Competition entries were significantly down this year following a record number of 23 entrants at the 2013 Newdegate Machinery Field Days.
Newly appointed event organiser and Lake Grace-based Westcoast Wools wool and stock agent Stephen Chappell, who took over the reins from Newdegate local Darren Howatson just weeks before the competition, put it down to a large number of factors including the season.
"There was also a lack of lead-up to the competition this year due to Darren's departure from his organiser's position," Mr Chappell said.
"In years gone by, Darren was able to promote the event at Wagin Woolarama, the Katanning Sheep Show and such events."
Mr Chappell said with the gift of time, he also intended to advertise the event heavily in future years.
"It's important the competition continues to thrive," he said.
"It provides a significant opportunity for producers to benchmark their young ewes on a Statewide basis.
"Otherwise the saleyards present the only other chance to do that."
One half of the competition's judging panel and Claypans Merino and Poll Merino Stud co-principal Steven Bolt said the Varone's line of ewes was the clear winner on the day.
He said the ewes displayed an outstanding level of wool production, were structurally sound and big bodied.
"They're outstanding commercial ewes," Mr Bolt said.
"The quality and amount of wool on those sheep is a real credit to the owners."
Comparing the Sutherland's second place competition entry to the winners, Mr Bolt said they too were very well grown and had wonderful white wool.
"There was just one ewe in there that probably let the rest of the line-up down," he said.
"It lacked a bit of wool production.
"But again, a very even team of ewes - they were outstanding for their evenness."
The Bayer Health Care-sponsored third place was awarded to a line presented by Newdegate farmer Ian Lloyd.
The young ewes scored 850 on the day, just five points shy of second place.
