Business & Rural
2 July, 2026
Stunning win for stud
“We had a great day and were very excited and proud to take home the Wurrook Cup,” said Rod.
THE prized Wurrook Cup for fine wool aggregate at the Victorian Sheep Show has been claimed by Longdale Park Merino Stud.
The Berrimal stud of Rod and Nicola Kirk beat off some of the state’s leading Merino breeders at Ballarat.
The cup capped off a stunning weekend where Longdale Park won Champion Fine Wool Ram Lamb and Champion Fine Wool Ewe Lamb.
The Kirks also collected reserve champion sashes for Fine Wool Ewe Lamb, Medium Ram Lamb and Medium Wool Ram Lamb.
“We had a great day and were very excited and proud to take home the Wurrook Cup,” said Rod.
Third places were achieved in Medium Wool Ram Lamb and Medium Wool Ewe Lamb.
Norm Weir’s Kerrilyn Stud, Dunluce, had a strong showing in Ballarat where it collected Champion Medium Merino Ram and the Medium and Strong aggregate awards.
He said the show results came after a “whole lot of seconds earlier in the judging … seven in fact.”
The show held at Ballarat’s new showgrounds attracted record sheep entries and record public attendance that organisers said highlighted the growing strength of the event and the sheep industry.
District studs are now preparing for the nation’s premier event, the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo this month.
And in August, they will be part of the 7th Victorian Merino Field Day in Marnoo.
Read More: St Arnaud