Queensland stud Merino breeders make the most of rare gathering

The revised State Sheep Show drew together a core group of breeders from Cunnamulla, Dirranbandi, Morven, Muckadilla and Mitchell, plus championship sponsors, at the Brumpton family's Mitchell property, Baynham.

"You spend your lifetime trying to breed the perfect animal and you want people to see what you've achieved," Mr Hacker said. "You put the time in and it's frustrating when you can't do that."

In addition, being able to compare animals with others was always valuable, giving breeders insight into where they still needed to improve.

"Your sheep always look good at home," Mr Hacker said.

One of those attending their second show for the year were Coz Burey and Jack Peskett from Coban Merino Stud at Cunnamulla.

They took four ewes to the Tara Show in March before the COVID-19 lockdown brought an end to the general show season.

The Cunnamulla pair had been looking forward to hosting the cream of Merino sheep breeding at this year's State Sheep Show.

"Our stud's been going since the late 1950s but the Peskett family has been at Hillview for 104 years, since the block was drawn," Mr Peskett said. "We were feeding our sheep for the state show - we really hope we get a chance to run it in the future."

Mr Hacker said they had cut the trophy list right back to accommodate the reduced showing at Mitchell but four major sponsors had been very keen to keep up their support.

"The feedback we got from them was good, they were glad to come out for the day too," he said.

RNA wool judge Frank Roberts, up from Dubbo NSW, said it had been very important on an emotional level for the event to be run, after everything that had gone on in rural Australia, firstly the long dry and then the world health crisis, and the impact on the wool market.