Jolly Jumbuck poll Merinos success at state sheep show

The three siblings, Charlie, Felicity and Lachie Brumpton, returned from the state sheep show at Longreach overwhelmed with the successes for their Jolly Jumbuck stud, most notably for showing the supreme poll exhibit and for winning the poll Breeder’s Group ribbon.

Jolly Jumbuck Maximus, sired by Willandra GP, was first of all crowned champion medium wool poll ram before contesting the junior poll ram championship alongside its champion strong wool poll ram studmate.

Maximus, who has a 20.2 micron fleece and a fibre diameter measurement of 2.8, then became grand champion poll ram before winning the supreme poll award, where it was up against Roselea’s grand champion poll ewe.

The Mitchell-based trio fought off a determined challenge from Roselea and Victoria Downs to win the well-regarded poll Breeder’s Group sash, and were second to parents Nigel and Rosemary Brumpton from Mt Ascot in the Group of Three rams judging.

The ram was judged beside Mt Ascot’s grand champion Merino counterpart for Ram of the Year and supreme exhibit.

With all three young studmasters spread across Australia – Charlie is working in the stockcamp at Legune station on the WA/NT border, Felicity is studying at UNE in Armidale and Lachie is completing Year 12 at boarding school in Brisbane – it was left up to their father Nigel to speak for them at the end of the successful weekend.

“We have all absolutely loved the ram, ever since he was a lamb,” he said. “He had a lot of the attributes we wanted.”

As with Mt Ascot, they are aiming for a dual-purpose animal that is early-maturing and with lustrous wool.

Noted Barcaldine stud breeder, Duncan Ferguson paid tribute to the younger generation at the state sheep show, saying their enthusiasm was bringing new ideas that was invigorating the generation above them.

“Queensland sheep have come a long way in the last five years.

“There has been an obvious increase in bodyweight and sheep are maturing earlier.

“The wool is exceptional and is cutting more. I think there has been a real resurgence withing breeding in the studs.”