Centurion Poll Dorset Ram of the YearIn a closely run contest, Sherborne Storm
990:S0659 bred by Richard and Robert Hole was selected as the Poll Dorset ram of the Year by the Centurion Breeders Group.
The ram has outstanding EBVs for traits such as growth, carcase and maternal ability - putting him in the Top 1% of the breed for both his Terminal Sire and Maternal Breeding Indexes.
Over 70 rams from the Centurion Group were taken to the Ram Selection Day, with a sub-set of elite rams put forward for the competition. All of the rams put forward possessed high performing genetics - so the selection decisions made by Centurion breeders focussed very strongly on the other importance aspects of ram selection including structural soundness and adherence to the breed standard.
Standing a close second was a ram from Jim Dufosee's Blackhill Flock,
D26:S1108. This ram, the product of two generations of Blackhill genetics on both sides of his pedigree - has a Terminal Sire Index in the Top 5% of the breed.
In reserve was another smart lamb from Duncan Sandercock's Trevilley Flock,
962:S0359. This ram was also in the Top 5% of the breed on the basis of his Terminal Sire Index. His pedigree extends back to a highly influential New Zealand sire.
The selection of such high performing individuals clearly shows that rams can be bred that physically excel as individuals, as well as possessing the superior genetics required for modern, commerical sheep production.
