LOCAL breeder Jon Sutherland and his Sayla Park Suffolk Stud have brought home top honours from the Melbourne Royal Show, claiming both the Ram Trifecta and Champion Ram titles in a standout performance on the national stage.
Competing against leading studs from across Victoria, Sayla Park’s 13-month-old Suffolk ram impressed judges with its structure, balance and strong breed characteristics to secure the prestigious Champion Ram ribbon. The stud also dominated the All Breeds Sheep Interbreed Ram Trifecta, which recognises consistent excellence across multiple judging classes.
For Mr Sutherland, the win represents years of careful breeding and dedication to the Suffolk breed.
The Melbourne Royal Sheep Competition is one of the most respected events on Australia’s agricultural calendar, drawing hundreds of entries across wool and meat breeds. Success at the show is a major achievement for any stud, let alone one from a regional centre like Kilmore.
The Suffolk breed, known for its meat quality and distinctive black-faced appearance, has long been a mainstay of Australia’s prime lamb industry. Sayla Park’s success highlights the quality of stock being bred in the local area.
Mr Sutherland said that he always believed in the strength of the genetics and potential of the Suffolk breed and that the result reinforces the work being done by regional breeders.
With Melbourne Royal honours now under their belt, Sayla Park is preparing for upcoming sales and shows, buoyed by their recent achievements and the recognition that comes with them.
