Getting sheep shape at Pyramid Farm
The vineyards at Pyramid Farm in Marlborough’s Avon Valley have never been run of the mill, with plantings that follow the natural contours of the land, 250 metres above sea level.
His Texel/Poll Dorset lamb was judged as the country's best from paddock to plate.
The Hawarden farmer, and long-time Corriedale exhibitor, drafted the lamb himself, and after entering for the past four years, believes that experience helped him take out the win.
This year the competition had an overhaul with the overall winner being decided on a combination of yield, tender test and taste results as opposed to just taste alone.
"A little bit of it comes down to luck but you do start to get an eye for it and get an idea of the type of lamb that does well in the competition. Conformation is vital – so I'm looking for those lambs that are meaty through the loin and over the hindquarter.
"Genetics are important too - the lamb was a cross between two meat breeds that have those valuable traits that help lambs to grow fast."
Sidey says the competition was promoted well by the Canterbury A&P Association and urged other farmers to enter in 2016.
"I help organise the gift lamb competition for the local Hawarden A&P Show so I know the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to bring these competitions together. Farmers should reward those efforts by donating a lamb – and the prizes are worth it too thanks to the support from an excellent host of sponsors."
Sidey's lamb was judged the best out of a field of 71 entries and was awarded the Alliance Group Mint Lamb Competition Trophy, $1000, 2.5 litre Zolvix and Elanco Optiline Backpack and Drench Gun Applicator.
A new highest yield prize was awarded this year to Paul Gardner from Ashburton with his Texel lamb.
Gardner took home $750, 2.5 litre Zolvix and Elanco Optiline Backpack and Drench Gun Applicator. Winners in each class were awarded $200, 2.5 litre Zolvix and Elanco Optiline Backpack and Drench Gun Applicator; second received $150; third received $100 and fourth received $50.
Lambs from all over the country were judged on the hook at an Alliance plant for best overall yield, with the top four lambs in each class moving on to the tender test stage at Lincoln University before being taste tested at the 2015 Canterbury A&P Show.
The cuts of meat were cooked by leading New Zealand chef Graham Hawkes and taste tested in front of show crowds by Jonny Schwass from Harlequin Public House, Adam Morris from Elanco, Phil Manera from Hazlett Rural Limited and Rae Finlay former Event Director of the Canterbury A&P Show.
Full results
Overall winner: Andrew Sidey, Hawarden - Texel/Poll Dorset
Class 1 - Dual Purpose x Dual Purpose: 1st Martin Kelly, Waiau - Composite/Texel; 2nd Chris and Gwenda Jones, Blenheim - Composite/Texel; 3rd Chris and Gwenda Jones, Blenheim - Perendale/Texel; 4th Andrew Stokes, Oxford - Texel Romney
Class 2 - Dual Purpose Dam x Terminal Sire: 1st Nigel Jay, Rangiora - Charollais/Coopworth; 2nd Colin Smith, Rangiora - Dorset Down/Romney x Corriedale; 3rd Merryn Pugh, Springston - Dorper x; 4th Sam Holland, Culverden - Suftex x Romtex
Class 3 - Terminal x Terminal; 1st Paul Gardner, Ashburton – Texel; 2nd Andrew Sidey, Hawarden - Texel/Poll Dorset; 3rd Rachel Cox, Burnham – Suftex; 4th Sarah Rodie, Amberley – Texel
