UPDATE: PARAWAY Pastoral has taken out the prestigious Peppin Shaw Merino ewe flock competition with its Mungadal property.

Judges Cam Munro, Ian Evans and Dale Bruns gave the flock from the 59,000ha Mungadal station at Hay the thumbs up.

It was the first time Mungadal manager Jock Campbell had entered the competition, while the station was a previous winner in 2002.

Mr Campbell had spent two days mustering and drafting more than 2000 2010-drop classed ewes for yesterday’s judging.

Classed at a rate of 20 per cent, the Mungadal-blood ewes weighed an average of 64kg and were fat score three.

“I didn’t get to see the other sheep in the competition, except for Budgewah, and knew it would be really tough,’’ Mr Campbell said.

“I wasn’t really expecting to win.

“The judges commented on seeing such a big mob that was so even, particularly given the low culling rate, showing the depth of breeding.

“If I had’ve classed at higher rates of up to 55 per cent as other flocks had, the bodyweights may have pushed up.’’

Under the competition rules, Mungadal is unable to enter next year’s Peppin Shaw and will be display only.

“I am back on the job today in the office doing a bit of financial planning,’’ Mr Campbell said this morning.

Mungadal has two full-time labour units running 54,000 dse since it was purchased by corporate giant Paraway Pastoral in 2010.

The Ramsay flock of Joel and Fiona Porter, Boorooban, was the runner-up with their Woodpark blood 2010 drop classed ewes.

Ian Lilburne took out the Hazeldean trophy for the classer of the winning flock.

The top five places in the competition were filled by Mungadal, Ramsay, Bronte, Budgewah and Yendembah.

David and Barbara Butcher, of Bronte, Mossgiel, won  the Alma Merino stud trophy for first place in the northern area.

Runner-up was Geoff and Dianne Peters, Yandembah, Hillston.

Rowan and Sarah Houston, Budgewah, Hay were the central area winners with Michael Rutledge, Yeadon, Hay, as the runner-up.

Mungadal, Hay, were the southern area winners with the Porter family, Ramsay, Boorooban, in second place.

The Peters family took out the Ian Lilburne short wool award, the Job family won the best new entry and the Butcher family, the Riverina Wool Draw.

The Jock Dunn fertility award was won by Mungadal.

First time entrants Roger and Jackie Job, Tholloloboy, Hillston, received the Elanco Animal Health encouragement award.