RAIN did not put a stop to the 26th Stud Meat Show at this year's Toowoomba Royal Show, with two judging rings going at the same time.
In one ring, the Dorper and White Dorper entries were more than double that of last year's show, with 143 head exhibited from nine studs.
The second ring had 80 entries from seven studs, including traditional breeds such as Poll Dorsets, Suffolks, White Suffolks, Southdown, Texels, Border Leicester and Dorset Horn.
Judge Jeff Sutton, Temora, said he was pleased to judge in the mud and rain, as he had seen first hand how hard Queensland had been hit with the drought.
"The quality of sheep was very high and I thought quite a few of the sheep would do very well at Sydney or Melbourne," Mr Sutton said.
"The exhibits were well prepared and in great show condition. The students from Scots PGC College were willing to listen and learn, which was very encouraging.
"The QCAS young judges were of the highest standard and I was very impressed with Georgia Lee and the way in which she spoke about the sheep."
Philip Tindall Stewart presents Anne and John Waters, Killara White Dorpers, with the McPhie Memorial Cup, for a Champion Pen of Fat Lambs. Click on the image to see more photos from the event.
Andrea Van Niekerk from Dell Dorper and Dumisa White Dorpers, Moama, New South Wales judged the Dorpers and White Dorpers.
"It is very important to know why your sheep ended up in the position they were because then you know more about what the qualities are that you need to better your position and how to improve your sheep," she said of the feedback she gave exhibitors.
Ms Van Niekerk said she was impressed with the quality, presentation and showmanship of all sheep exhibited and it was very had to choose a winner.
She was also involved in the interbreed judging.
The Suffolk ewe exhibited by Josh Milton "was the most magnificent Suffolk ewe I have ever seen", she said.
Ms Van Nierkerk said she was impressed with the quality of meat sheep shown in Toowoomba.