SHEEP breeders with lambs in the Thomas Foods International Booborowie Lamb Competition entrants are in for some surprises when the results are announced on May 6.

Co-organiser Leith Tilley said individually identifying the 206 lambs entered from 61 farmers with electronic tags had helped highlight the huge range in weight gained by animals in the teams of three and between entries.

Some lambs have gained weight at twice the rate of others in the same team, he said.

“I suppose that is the power of individual tagging and weighing.

“We expected there would be variance between the teams from different producers, but the variance within teams from breeders has been more significant than we thought.”

Lambs in the inaugural competition were individually identified with electronic tags when they were weighed in at the Saltbush Feedlot near Booborowie, South Australia, on February 25.

Farmers with lambs in the competition will be able to tour Thomas Foods International’s Murray Bridge plant on April 29 and see their lambs after processing. The 2016 competition will then conclude with a dinner and presentation night at the Booborowie Hotel on May 6.

On April 29 a bus will depart for Murray Bridge from the Booborowie Hotel at 9.30am, from the Burra Landmark office at 9:45am, and from the Eudunda Roadhouse at 10:45am. It will arrive at the TFI plant at Murray Bridge at 1pm after stopping for lunch along the way. The tour will include a presentation by TFI supply chain co-ordinator David Rutley followed by viewing of lamb carcases.

The May 6 lamb spit dinner will start at the Booborowie Hotel from 6pm with presentations at 8.30pm. The cost is $15 per person.

Mr Tilley said producers wanting to go on the TFI plant tour or attended the presentation dinner should RSVP on 0417 783 668 or to [email protected]

Major meat processor Thomas Foods International is the naming sponsor of the competition with Landmark and CRT as major prize sponsors and Sheep Central joining as a media sponsor.

Lamb teams will be judged on their aggregate percentage weight gain in the feedlot.

Prizemoney totals $7500 and organisers hope to make the competition the most lucrative lamb feeding contest in Australia and a major fund-raiser for the South Australian community and its local school.