The annual School Wether Challenge will reach new heights in 2023, attracting close to 20 new schools to participate in the program.
The challenge is coordinated by the Dubbo National Merino Ram Sale Association Inc., with the assistance of the Bralca, NSW Stud Merino Breeders’ Association and Australian Wool Innovation.
The annual program aims to provide students and teachers with education and exposure to the Merino industry as well as associated industries such as wool classing and broking, shearing, nutrition, sales and meat processing.
Each year, the Dubbo National Ram Sale Association purchases a line of Merino wethers which are then distributed to participating schools to care for and prepare for processing for a period of six months.
It has been running for more than 10 years and has grown exponentially since its first year.
The challenge will reach new heights this year, with 58 schools taking part.
“We have schools from Narooma to Tweed Heads participating this year,” said Angus Beveridge, Deputy Chairman, Dubbo National Ram Sale Association Inc. “These are not massive wool growing areas but this program is not just about the sheep or targeting those sheep breeding areas.”
Mr Beveridge said the program provided resources to schools and they aimed to expand to include more schools each year. Schools will collect their wethers on Wednesday 8th March in Narromine and Thursday 9th March in Wagga Wagga and Armidale.
“We are looking at encouraging students into the industry, and providing schools a resource to add to their agricultural curriculum,” he said.
“It was initially about promoting the Merino as a breed, and we continue to evolve with the industry providing opportunity and further education, for the future of the sheep industry as a whole.”
A total of 348 wethers were purchased by the Dubbo National Merino Ram Sale Association and distributed to participating schools across NSW.
Training days are held throughout the course of the challenge to provide ongoing assistance for school staff and students in caring for their team of wethers, as well as helping to develop industry skills and knowledge.
At the conclusion of the challenge, the sheep are assessed and scored based on the commercial values of their wool and meat, as well as their estimated five-year earning capability.
The students are also assessed for sheep handling, presentation and knowledge of the industry.
“It really exposes the students to not only the Merino industry, but all those associated industries that are crucial to sheep breeding such as shearing, wool handling, nutrition, meat processing and livestock agencies,” said Mr Beveridge.
The investment commitment continues following the conclusion of the program, with a percentage of the profits from each animals’ carcass and wool value being returned to each participating school.
