Farmers from across the region gathered for the annual Tamworth spring lamb show and contested the Jason Goodwin Memorial Shield, in honour of the former stock agent who died from a heart attack in 2008, aged 36.

Plenty of sellers were on hand to mark the 12^th annual, which provided plenty of stiff competition from producers from across the region.

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However, it was Bithramere farmer John Roworth who took out the coveted award, with a pen of lambs raised on his property Minarooba.

"It is a privilege to win the Jason Goodwin shield," Mr Roworth said.

"They were April-May dropped lambs, an average weight of roughly 56kg and a first cross-ewe with a Dorset over the top.

"It's been brilliant to come out of the drought as quickly as we have, it's been fantastic and this is certainly reward for effort."

Mr Roworth said the season's promising season had left him feeling confident for the upcoming winter harvest.

"You know, 12 months ago we just didn't know where we were going," he said,

"Just to have the season we've had over the past six months has been phenomenal.

"We're on a small family farm, so it's a family effort, we restocked in January-February and prior that it was the first time we ever had to destock our farm.

"My family has been farming since 1948 and never before have we had to destock because of drought."

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Tamworth Livestock Selling Agents Association chairman John Goudge said the event was the perfect way to remember Jason.

"It's been a fantastic sale with high-quality lambs and the vendors come back every year and support this show and sale," Mr Goudge said.

"We're a pretty tight-knit community, the local agriculture community, the vendors keep coming back and it's a good mark of respect for Jason.

"We're really pleased the vendors do keep coming back and supporting us every year and hopefully that can continue into the future."

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