July 18th, 2024Bullarto stud win at Victorian Sheep Show

Bullarto-based Oberon Suffolk Sheep Stud collected numerous category wins at last month’s Victorian Sheep Show.

Wins included Supreme Champion Suffolk, Champion and Reserve Champion Suffolk Ewes, 1st and 2nd in the Shorn Ewe Under One and a Half Years, while also winning the Interbreed ASSBA Ewe Champion.

The black-faced, floppy-eared Suffolk sheep breed are instantly recognisable from episodes of the kids’ claymation series Shaun the Sheep.

But for stud principals Bruce Rolfe and Douglas Scott, Suffolks are their livelihood in which they have invested many years of hard work.

And to have their efforts pay off so well in the judging ring was a significant achievement. Bruce and Doug fronted nine entries for the event and the star of the show was Oberon 3039, a delightfully shapely and feminine maiden ewe known in the barnyard as Gloria.

“I’m very proud of her and she’s my little star,” says Bruce.

Bruce and Doug have been operating Oberon Suffolk Stud for over 20 years and their animals are an important asset.

The stud’s bloodlines have been carefully cultivated and they are cared for and monitored to bring out their best qualities.

Today these prize livestock are sold to buyers across Australia and overseas, and appearances at judging competitions are a vital part of the promotion of their stud, as it is for many other breeding operations around the country.

For anyone visiting the area, a glimpse of their sheep may look like little more than barnyard props to complement a Sunday drive. But the work that goes into growing and presenting a champion ewe at industry competitions is extraordinary.

“I began showing Suffolks in 2014 and started off with a small team of two rams and two ewes because it is expensive and you have to start preparing them early. Also while a full team is 12 you need to feed up at least 24 to give you replacements if necessary,” Bruce said.

“They change as they grow and a lamb that looked fantastic four months previously may be dropped from the team by show time.”

Bullarto stud win at Bullarto stud win at Victorian Sheep ShowVictorian Sheep Show Bruce begins his show preparations in February, introducing a special diet full of protein and carbohydrates to his animals.

Suffolks are classed as a meat sheep and a good show animal has lots of muscle and he has to feed them every day to give them a chance to grow and to be up with the size of the other livestock in the show. Then two weeks before the event they are shorn closely and evenly.

“The day before judging they are scanned with ultrasound and weighed. This information is then available to the judge during their appraisal. We then clean them up and make sure they look good. You also have to train them to lead in the halter and to present well. You have to give them little treats all the time and every time they do the right thing.”

As it turned out on the big day, judge Ellie McDonald was very impressed with the ewe’s neatness and excellent structure. She remarked that Gloria was born for the show ring and stood well.

“I loved how she showed her deference to the judge,” says Bruce. “Look at me! Look at me!”

Despite all the work that goes into producing and showing champion Suffolks, Bruce and Doug are keen to continue showing their animals. The next big outing is the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo, July 19-21.

It’s a huge event where the country’s growers and food, fashion and fibre lovers gather to celebrate the mighty Australian sheep, including of course, the dainty maiden ewe Gloria from Oberon Stud, Bullarto.

Words: Tony Sawrey | Image: Supplied | Inset: Tony Sawrey