Golden Fleece contest on again

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 279, 21 March 1989, Page 18

Golden Fleece contest on again

More than 300 entries are expected this year for New Zealand's premier fleece contest, the New Zealand Woolbrokers' Association National Golden Fleece competition.

Staged under the auspices of the Royal Agricultural Society, the Golden Fleece contest has 13 fine and 16 strong wool classcs.

Both the fine and strong wool championships carry prize money of $500 with the winning woolgrowers also receiving a

champion gold medal and sash. In addition the 29 classwinners each receive $50, a gold medal and rosette. The contest aims to encourage the production of quality fleeces, a crucial factor in the wool industry which last year earned this

country $2,085 billion in export income. The New Zealand Woolbrokers' Association Golden Fleece sponsorship, worth $20,000 a year, recognises the importance the wool auction system places on quality wool production. Much interest is ex-

pected to centre on the fine wool classes as a result of the worldwide boom in fine wool prices. This has seen the dominant fine wool breed, Merinos, spread from their traditional base in the South Island high country to the North Island. South Island woolgrowers

have dominated the fine wool classes since the Golden Fleece began but the 1989 result could see a North Island fine wool champion fleece. Details and entry forms for the 1989 Golden Fleece competition are available from woolbrokers, A and P secretaries and the secretary of the Royal Agricultural Society, PO Box 10-228, Wellington. Entries close on April 14.