First time entrants in the competition Geoff and Diane Peters, and their sons Andrew and Mark, “Yandembah”, Booligal, were announced the winners of the prestigious competition at last night’s presentation dinner at Hay.

The Peters' family flock is based on Ballatherie Poll Merino genetics, which is the family’s stud operation they run at “Ballatherie”, near Hillston.

The flock fleeced seven others for the honour, including “Yeadon”, Hay; “Tupra”, Oxley; “Yarto”, Booligal; “Cooinbil”, Colleambally; “Eurolie”, Hay; “Bedarbidgal”, Hay, and “Nyangay”, Boorooban.

Second place went to Bert and Liz Matthews and their daughters Felicity and Melissa, “Bedarbidgal”, Hay.

Their Pooginook blood flock was April shorn.

The Matthews placed second also in 2008 when the competition was last held.

Judges Rob Ashby, Old Ashrose Merino stud, South Australia; Will Roberts, Victoria Downs Merino stud, Queensland, and associate judge Spike Orr, Gundarimbah Merino stud, Parkes, determined the five top flocks as “Yandembah”, “Bedarbidgal”, “Yarto”, “Nyangay” and “Cooinbil”.

* You can view more photos from the Peppin-Shaw Ewe Flock Competition in our gallery, here.