Wairarapa ewe feud a first

Wairarapa hogget was put through its paces yesterday as the New Zealand Sheep Breeders Association judged some of the country's best.
Taratahi Agricultural Training Farm's Mangarata farm and Simon McKay's farm in Alfredton were two of the 23 finalists, narrowed down from nearly 200 entries nationwide.
Judges and organisers of the New Zealand Ewe Hogget Competition have spent more than a week travelling the country judging the hogget's conformation, loins, meat, wool, production and breeding programmes.
This year was the first time Taratahi has entered the competition, and stock manager Matt Smith said he would enter it again.
"We talked about it and decided to have a crack at it. It was a bit nerve-wracking, but it wasn't as intense as I thought it would be."
Mr Smith, who showed the judges three breeds of 1-year-old hoggets and talked about the farm.
"We have students out here every day and hopefully we can do them proud by winning."
Convenor George Fletcher said the contest had more support from the North Island this year.
"It hasn't been so well supported in the North Island over the last few years, but this year has been one of the best."
The winner of the competition will receive prizes to the value of $10,000, and the six breed winners will receive $1000 in product from Merial, $1000 in product from Ravensdown and prizes from breed societies.
"The sponsors are a very important part of this event, because it involves quite an expense travelling around the country and getting the prizes," Mr Fletcher said.