NARRANDERA sheep classer Michael Elmes has retained his reputation and even added another accolade at the 2021 Lake Cargelligo Maiden Merino Ewe competition last Friday.

The three placegetting flocks were each classed by him, and, the flock which was awarded the most profitable.

Eleven-months wool certainly impressed when the tour arrived at Barry and Vickie Carruthers and son, Jared, Milbank, Tullibigeal, but it was also the conformation, quality and wool cut of the 20.5 micron average One Oak Poll blood flock of some 40 years that really impressed as standouts to win the competition.

The Carruthers won this competition in 2019.

Meegan and Peter McCarten with their son, Todd, who trad as McCarten Farm, Nargoon, Rankins Springs, were runners-up with their flock of Wanganella blood averaging 21.5 micron.

McCarten Farms have won the competition three times, 2015 and 2016 and last year, and placed third in 2014 and 2018.

Justin and Natalie McCarten's Glen Echo flock, Rankins Springs, was placed third.

The Glen Echo flock of of 21.5 micron One Oak blood won the competition in 2018 but has been in the placings since 2008.

Competition stalwart Maree Stockman, whose Forest Lodge flock, Gubbata, gained its first placing in 1999 (third), was presented the encouragement award for her flock which had changed to Lachlan Merino blood in recent years and is running a flock of 19 micron classed by Glen Rubie.

The most profitable flock award went to Alan Ireland and family, Bygo Pastoral, Allonvale, Tullibigeal, with a mix of Darriwell and Belswick blood ewes of 22.2 micron, classed by Michael Elmes.

Judges were Henry Armstrong, Pemcaw stud, Dunedoo, returning, Richard Chalker, Lach River stud, Darby's Falls and Alex Karsten, Kiawarra stud, Weethalle the associate.