OVER 500 sheep have been entered into the Hamilton and Western District Sheep Show for the 2022 Sheepvention Rural Expo to be held at the Hamilton Showgrounds on Sunday, July 31 – Tuesday, August 2, with entries recently closed.

Poll Dorset is the feature breed this year – they are a short wool, meat producing sheep – most commonly used as a terminal sire, and contribute high quality carcase traits to the prime lamb industry.

Poll Dorset convenor, Jessica Sutherland, said just under 90 exhibits of the feature breed will be participating at the show.

“There will be a good representation of studs from south-west Victoria, Mallee and Central Victoria,” she said.

“The Poll Dorset judging will start with the novice and ewes on Sunday afternoon and conclude with the ram judging on Monday morning.”

This year there will be 13 breeds on show, with the Charollais breed of domestic sheep originating from east central France being presented for the first time.

The Sheep Pavilion is set to be a hive of activity once again with the large variety of sheep breeds on display, and plenty of producers keen to talk to prospective buyers over the three days.

For any young and eager agriculturally focused students, the junior judging competition will commence on Tuesday, August 2, at 10.00am.

Tickets are available at sheepvention.com