THE winners of this year’s Melplash Show impressed the judges with their stockmanship and the health of their flocks.

The annual Agricultural Society competition rewards local farmers for their shepherding skills and flock management.

There are three awards given the Melplash Agricultural Society Perpetual Plaque for the best flock of 15 -50 Ewes, the JRB Bowditch Perpetual Cup for the best flock of 51-300 Ewes and the Newall Perpetual Cup for the best flock of 301 and over.

The judge for the large flocks this year was Tim Stephens.

He said: “One of the tests I set was if I had to buy 200 ewes from one of the flocks, which would it be? “Unfortunately that test didn’t help me decide as I would buy sheep from all of them depending on what sort of breed I was after, and what sort of system I required breeding ewes for. “Sheep health was excellent in all the groups I saw and demonstrated well thought out breeding practices.

“In the end however I had to decide which flock impressed me most and that is why I awarded the prize to Steve Huxter and family.

“I was particularly impressed with the efficiency with which the flock was managed and how well the animals looked considering what a large flock it was, 2,600, and spread over several farms.” The medium and small flocks were judged by John Studley who also found the competition exceedingly hard to judge. He said: “I was looking for a flock that had consistency throughout from ram, ewe to lamb. “Both medium and small flock winners matched my criteria well despite the medium flock not having any rams the quality of the ewes and lambs were outstanding.”

The sheep section chairman, Peter Baker, expressed his grateful thanks to the judges and praised all the competitors. He was very pleased to see a number of new flocks entering this year and doing well in the competition.

The prizes will be presented at this year’s Melplash Show on Thursday, August 22.