It was the second consecutive year the family has won the title and it followed what Allan Paterson described as an "absolutely phenomenal" year, not only with their achievements, but also the season and prices.
The Armidale merino stud was founded by Allan Paterson's grandfather George and, after lapsing during World War 2, it was later resurrected by his father Bruce and is now run by Allan and Simon.
They won the most successful merino exhibitor at the Canterbury A and P Show last November and, last month, achieved a rare double, winning both the fine wool and the strong wool championship in the Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand's national Golden Fleece competition.
The Patersons run 3800 merino ewes, which include a 1000-strong stud flock, and 800 halfbred ewes on the 2000ha Maniototo property, as well as trading cattle.
Lauder Station, farmed by the Calder family, was the winner of the Child Cancer Foundation fleece competition, while Richard and Jemma Gloag, from Buscot Station, at Omarama, won the merino production competition.
Otago Merino Association chairman Tony Richards described the 21st awards as "quite a milestone" for the association.
The fleeces entered in the Child Cancer Foundation competition constituted "the best wool you will ever see anywhere", and the number entered - more than 140 - showed the generosity of growers towards a very worthwhile cause. The sale of last year's entries, along with an auction, raised $10,345.
It was a good time to be in the farming industry, meat and wool returns being the best for a long time, and recent weather had also been very kind. Times ahead looked to be exciting and rewarding, Mr Richards said.
He and his wife Barbara farm a 4200ha property at Hyde, running merinos, a small crossbred flock and beef breeding cows.
He was brought up on a stud sheep farm at Waimate, which he later took over before selling in 1996. They spent five years at Culverden in North Canterbury, before moving to Hyde.
Mr Richards loved merino sheep, laughingly saying there were merinos and then there were "other sheep".
The merino excellence awards were a highlight of the year. Not only was it a social gathering for growers, but it was also an opportunity to raise money for the Child Cancer Foundation.
Foundation spokeswoman Clare Wilkinson said the association's long involvement with the foundation was "fantastic".
It had been a particularly bad year, with the Christchurch earthquake, and opportunities to raise funds had been diminished, yet the needs of families affected by cancer were so great.
Taking a keen interest in the entries were Brent Hickey, from Omakau, and Stuart Botting, from Dunedin, both of whom have had a long involvement in the wool industry.
W.S. Hickey and Sons was established by Mr Hickey's father, Bill, 55 years ago and was one of the more long-standing private wool businesses operating in New Zealand. His son, Hayden, will take over in October.
Mr Hickey, who had seen huge changes in the industry over the years, believed it was an exciting time, with farmers set to reap real benefits if market prices could be maintained for the next couple of years.
The most enjoyable part of his job had been the contact with clients and the "great smokos" he had enjoyed in farm houses.
"I have been known to have three cups of tea in one morning," he confided.
Mr Botting, from Elders Primary Wool, has been involved in the wool industry since 1960. He described the quality of the fleeces on display at the awards as "superb".
The conditional sale of PGG Wrightson's half-share in New Zealand Merino to Merino Grower Investments Ltd (MGIL) has obviously been a hot topic for growers.
MGIL is owned by 630 merino growers and the sale is conditional on MGIL shareholder approval. Shareholders' approval is also sought to change the constitution to allow shareholding by mid-micron wool growers and New Zealand Merino employees.
It was understood areas of concern had been raised over the proposed shareholding of employees, some growers seeking clarification before the vote on Wednesday.
Simon Cameron, from Ben Ohau Station, at Twizel, believed the industry was at a turning point and it was an exciting time.
Interest rates were relatively low and there were good returns for sheep, wool and dairy. The only negative thing was the high dollar.
There was obviously a world shortage of protein and people were now suddenly realising how special it was to have natural products around them.
The past few years had been "quite negative" and he hoped that, with improved returns, more young people would see an opportunity for "living on the land again".
Allan Paterson believed it was "absolutely essential" growers took control of New Zealand Merino, while Simon Paterson said it was an opportunity that would not come again.
"We have an opportunity to get back where the company actually started off and did so well," Allan Paterson said.
• Results. -
New Zealand Wool Testing Authority clip of the year:
- Adult: Up to 16.7 micron, The Rocks 1, Timburn 2, Mt Grand 3; 16.7-16.9: Bendrose 1, Te Akatarawa 2, Craighurst 3; 16.9-17.3: Moutere 1, Matarae 2, Tara Hills 3; 17.3-18: Benmore 1, Matangi 2, Stonehenge 3; 18-20: Armidale 1, Glenmore 2, Middlehurst 3.
- Hogget: Up to 15.6: Mt Pisa 1, Waikora 2, Matarae 3; 15.6-15.8: Tara Hills 1, Horseshoe 2, Craighurst 3; 15.8-16.3: Matangi 1, Stonehenge 2, Nine Mile 3; 16.3-16.5: Benmore 1, Ahuriri Downs 2, Walter Peak 3; Over 16.5: Armidale 1, Buscot 2, Middlehurst 3; Overall winner, Armidale; 1st runner-up, Benmore. 2nd runner-up, Moutere.
Ravensdown merino production competition: Winner, Buscot. Runner up, Timburn.
Child Cancer Foundation fleece competition: Super fine (17 and under) Lauder 1, Waikari Downs 2, Carrickmore 3; Fine (17.1 and over) Hummock 1, Horseshoe 2, Moutere 3; Overall: Lauder 1.