DESPITE the devastating drought conditions that continue to hammer much of the Queensland's pastoral zone, the Ekka has seen its largest fleece show in a decade, with more than 115 fleeces on display.
The high quality competition took plenty of concentration from judge Warren Zernike, AWM, who also celebrates 50 years in the wool industry in 2015.
"It's very impressive to see the quality and in particular the number of fleeces on show here in Brisbane," Mr Zernike said.
"So many of our woolgrowers are enduring very difficult drought conditions and it is really a credit to each and every exhibitor.
"This has been a tough competition to judge. The quality of wool on show is very impressive."
The overall grand champion fleece was an 11.6kg, 19.3 micron (u) fine wool stud ram fleece exhibited by Felicity, Charlie and Lachie Brumpton from the Jolly Jumbuck Poll Merino Stud, Mitchell. The winning fleece scored 91.5 points, only half-a-point ahead of the next best entry.
Reserve was a medium Merino stud ram's fleece exhibited by Will and Narda Roberts, Victoria Downs, Morven. The 21.2u, 11.4kg fleece had an extremely high 79.6 per cent yield.
The champion stud Merino ewe's fleece was exhibited by Len Hawkins, Old Woolerina, Dirranbandi. The 16.9u, 6.7kg fleece won the superfine stud section with 87.5 points, weighing 6.7kg and testing 16.9u with a 71.8pc yield.
The Victoria Downs medium wool ewes fleece missing again by a half-point was reserve champion stud ewes fleece.
In all, Victoria Downs won three of the stud classes, Wattle Downs, The Gums, two and Jolly Jumbuck two.
In the commercial classes the champion was drawn from the superfine class where the section's largest exhibitors Willie and Marcelle Chandler, Home Creek, Barcaldine and Oma, Isisford, presented a 5.6kg, 18.5u ewe or wethers fleece with a commendable yield of 71.6pc. The Chandlers also dominated the superfine class filling the top four places with only 1.5 points between all four fleeces.
The champion fine wool fleece scored only half a point less than the overall champion. It was a 7.1kg, 19.4u fleece exhibited by Don and Belinda Perkins, Nelyambo, Dirranbandi.
The champion medium/strong flock fleece was exhibited by Adrian and Sally Schmidt, Baroona, Cunnamulla.
Other ribbon winners were Wansey Downs, Mungalalla, Derwent Park, Muckadilla, Rodney Downs, Ilfracombe and Thornville, Hughenden.
RNA wool steward Craig Turner said the 115 fleeces on show were the result in increased entries from the Dirranbandi, Barcaldine and Isisford. Regular exhibitors from the Maranoa,south-west, Longreach, Hughenden and The Gums were also represented.
"While some commercial fleeces showed signs of drought conditions with lower weights and yields, many demonstrated the expertise in breeding and management of their owners through minimal dust penetration and excellent soundness," Mr Turner said.
"The bloom on many fleeces was also commendable.
"We are encouraging producers to set aside fleeces during the year to participate in the expanding Ekka fleece competition."