General News
19 July, 2024
Marra Field day was a huge hit for farmers
The Farmers Challenge and Jackeroo Race were part of the run at the 2024 Marra Field Day last week.
Enthusiastic stud breeders and exhibitors from across the central west made the trip to the Marra Hall, midway between Nyngan, Warren, Coonamble, and Walgett, for the annual field day last week.
The tightly-held Marra district is well known for producing top quality wool, and in more recent years there has also been an influx of cattle, goats, meat sheep and also cropping. There were 25 sheep studs from as far afield as the riverina and throughout central NSW on site showcasing their genetics and entering in the maiden ewe, fat lamb and hogget ram judging.
President of the Marra Hall Trustees, Jack Green said the field day was much anticipated by the local community. “It’s a great get together for everyone. It’s run by the Marra Hall Trustees, and proceeds go to the upkeep of the hall and the amenities,” he said.
“I’m very happy with the number of exhibitors and studs who made the effort to come out. I’d like to give a huge thank you to the sponsors, judges, and the Marra committee members for making the day possible.”
“It’s days like this that we can showcase the strength of the merino industry and have a great social day as well.” The Marra Field Day has become the new home of the former midstate merino hogget ram competition, and this year judge Matthew Coddington from Roseville Park stud, Dubbo, had his work cut out with 14 rams in the line-up.
He eventually gave the top prize to a big-framed entry from Garry and Donna Kopp’s Towonga Stud, Peak Hill. Boonoke stud, Deniliquin was second; and Haddon Rig, Warren was third.
Local graziers George and Libby Caton ‘Yarrawonga’ had a successful day in the flock ewe judging, winning the pen of five merinos and the champion ewe awards with their Dunbogan-blood entries.
Lamph Pastoral also had a successful day, taking first and second place in the short wool ewe judging and reserve champion in the pen of three lambs.
The Steele Family’s ‘Mundadoo’, Gordon Welsh’s ‘Wamboin Station’ and Jim McLaughlin’s ‘Merryanbone’ also collected flock prizes.
As usual there was plenty of interest in the sheep counting competition. Charlie Gibson from Nyngan won the junior competition. Egelabra stud jackaroo Digby Munro won a hotly contested under 25 count, Marra local Kelley Earl was champion lady counter and Dubbo stock agent Lachie Mann won the open. This year there was a farm innovation competition. Local grazier and qualified electrician, Pete Reid won the open section with his generator cut-off; while his son Ethan was runner-up with a trailer step; and Tony Cooper was third with his toasting fork.
In the junior section, Ryan Newton was first with a small trailer (which was used all day to ferry rams to and from the judging pen); and Pippa Turnbull was runner-up with a feed bucket. The major fundraiser for the day was the auction. Each exhibitor donated an item for the inventory, which was sold off. Half the funds raised were donated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the remainder kept for the ongoing upkeep of the Marra Hall.
When all the serious business was complete it was time for some fun – which included a jackaroo race (where they wore inflatable dinosaur costumes) and a farmers challenge competition.