The McLaren family received the award on August 23 at what is considered to be the most prestigious Merino show in the country: the Rabobank National Merino Sheep Show and Ram Sale in Dubbo.

Five independent judges unanimously voted the Nerstane Ram, N73, as the Australian Supreme Merino of 2017. 

Hamish McLaren said the win was a shock to the family.

“N73 was reserve grand champion at the Bendigo Show six weeks prior, but the Victorian ram was very good and had won supreme at Bendigo, which would have made him favourite,” Mr McLaren said.

“The national win was a big surprise.”

Nerstane had been in the Australian Ram line-up once before with the sire N910 in 2011. On that occasion, the McLaren family was narrowly beaten, but the stud has managed to come back and go one better this time.

The Merino show and sale has been running for more than fifty years, and this is only the second time a breeder from Walcha has been awarded the national title. In 1996, Greg Fletcher from ‘Auchen Dhu’ won the award with his ram, Minister.

Mr McLaren said the family was appreciative of the win.

“Winning something like this gives us some terrific advertising, some good semen sales, a tick off the bucket list, and some wonderful memories,” he said.

Nerstane sold N73 to long-term Uruguayan client, Estancia La Magdalena stud, for $40,000, and kept the Australian semen rights.