A record 236 fleece entries have been received for the New Zealand Fine Wool Supreme Fleece competition this year and judges say they have been blown away by the quality.

Fleeces from more than 53 South Island properties will be judged over the coming days and the winning fleece will be on public display at the Wānaka A&P Show on March 8-9.

“It’s New Zealand’s gold medal of NZ fine wool fleeces,” New Zealand Fine Wool Supreme Fleece judge Craig Smith said. 

“It’s an opportunity to show the rest of the world how good our wool is from the original source – stud farms and flock properties.”

Craig said deciding the winner will be challenging.

“I’ve never said this before and I don’t say this lightly, but I think we will have a perfect, 100-point fleece in this competition,” he said. 

“Breeding the perfect fleece is about feeding the sheep consistently all year round, as well as genetics and climatic conditions. This year’s entries demonstrate that what the growers have been feeding their sheep has aligned well with the climatic conditions and genetics, to prove that there is this magical, perfect, 100-point fleece in there.”

The Wānaka A&P Show introduced the competition at the 2023 show and interest has grown from there. 

Fleece entries are judged based on strict trade requirements and verified by the New Zealand Wool Testing Authority, in an initial judging process, beginning February 22. 

The second stage of judging occurs (during the week of the show) with meticulous visual checks by wool experts and show judges Craig Smith and Peter McCusker.

The public can come into the woolshed and touch the fleece, while learning about the wool-garment process. 

Growers also visit the Wānaka A&P Show to assess the types of wool currently available on the market.

“This year’s entries have to be the largest number of fine wool supreme fleeces I have ever seen, and I’ve been to wool exhibitions in Uruguay, Argentina, England, Scotland, Australia, South Africa and NZ,” Upper Clutha A&P Society president Martin Peterson said.

“These entries are the best of the best of what we have in NZ.”

Meanwhile, three top international agricultural judges have been confirmed for the 2024 Wānaka A&P Show.

Australian sheep farm manager David Zouch will be judging the superfine merino competition, while New South Wales stud owner John Bensley will be judging the other categories in the Merino Arena. England-based Sarah Smith (a prominent international show judge for more than 40 years) will judge the equestrian categories.

The Wānaka A&P Show will take place Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9. Tickets can be purchased online for $22.50 per adult. Children aged 12 and under are free.

PHOTO: Supplied