Golden Fleece event showcases mohair and alpaca fleeces

Merino rams were on display at the entrance to the recent Royal Agricultural Society's Golden Fleece competition, Lake Wanaka Centre, Wanaka.

This is the first year mohair and alpaca fleeces had been entered in the national Royal Agricultural Society's Golden Fleece competition, and convener Martin Paterson, of Wanaka, said he expected that number to grow for future competitions.

Brian Nimmo, of Wanaka, admires one of the Golden Fleece entries.

He said there were 10 mohair and 32 alpaca fleeces and they attracted a lot of interest from those attending the event in Wanaka earlier this month.

Ranfurly farmers Dawn and David Sangster won the Supreme Mohair champion title as well as the champion three-shear buck and three-shear doe titles.

There were also 133 sheep fleece entries from throughout the country.

Upper Clutha A&P Society president Doug Stalker admires some of the top class fleeces on show during the annual national Royal Agricultural Society's Golden Fleece competition, Lake Wanaka Centre, Wanaka, last Saturday. Photos: Yvonne O'Hara

Judge David Allan said found the numbers slightly back on last year but the quality was extremely good.

The Upper Clutha A&P Society in Wanaka on behalf of the Royal Agricultural Society for the second year and final year in a row, but no decision had been made about where next year's competition would be located.

The RAS Supreme Fine Wool Champion title was won by the Blairich Station Partnership, in Blenheim.

Judge David Allan, of Alexandra, said the fleece quality was "very good overall''.

It also won the Champion Merino Ram title.

Allan and Simon Paterson, of Armidale, Ranfurly, won the Champion Merino Ewe title, as well as the Champion Merino Hogget title and the Champion Halfbreed title.

Andrew and Tracy Paterson, Matakanui, Omakau were named the Champion Quarterbred/Polwarth winners.

The Champion Corriedale title was won by Greg Paterson, Purple Earth, Roxburgh.

Golden Fleece convener Martin Paterson, of Wanaka, was pleased with the number and quality of entries.

-By Yvonne O'Hara

Southern Rural Life