Australian Sheep and Wool Show’s market boost

The Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo is expected to attract a strong crowd.

Prime line-up: Judging action from last year’s Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo. Picture: Chloe Smith

STRONG prices for wool, sheep and lambs is buoying interest in the Australian Sheep and Wool Show.

The 142nd show will be held in Bendigo next weekend from July 19 to 21, and despite widespread drought and tough seasonal conditions in many areas, big crowds are still expected.

Australian Sheep Breeders Association president Rob McCartney said persistence was paying off for Australian sheep producers, as strong prices and market demand allowed those who persevered through tough climatic conditions to reap the rewards.

He said a bold focus on the future was evident throughout this year’s event, with information on careers available in agriculture, the Future of Farming junior competition and Young Stud Masters’ Muster networking night among events directed at the younger generation.

Australian Sheep Breeders Association chief executive Margot Falconer said the show had attracted strong interest from exhibitors.

“Despite widespread drought across Australia, we anticipate sheep and fleece entries to be on a par with previous years that have drawn around 3000 live sheep from 30 different breeds,” she said.

This year there will be more Merinos on show than in any of the past five years, while more than 70 Polwarth sheep will be on show for the feature breed.

The Polwarth was developed in Victoria during the late 1800s from Lincoln and Saxon Merino bloodlines and is the feature breed this year to coincide with the centenary of the Polwarth Sheep Breeders Association of Australia.

Ms Falconer said the show had evolved into an event offering a colourful carnival atmosphere.

And a new app has been developed to help people plan their itinerary.

“We believe we are only the second sheep show in the world to have a dedicated app,” Ms Falconer said.

“We want people to have all the information at their fingertips so they get the full benefit of the show and don’t go home later realising they have missed something.”

JUDGING PROGRAM

THURSDAY, JULY 18

12 noon – 6pm

Merino classification

FRIDAY, JULY 19

8.30am

Merino (all classes), Merino pairs (Victorian)

9am

White Dorper, Polwarth (feature breed), Romney

9.30am

Shropshire, White Suffolk

10am

Angora goats, Black and Coloured fleece, Dorset Downs, English Leicester

11am

Dorset Horn, Lincoln, South Suffolk

12 noon

National Corriedale pairs and schools competition

1pm

Drysdale, Hampshire Downs, Merino (all-purposes classes), Prime SAMM

1.30pm

Australian Whites

2pm

East Friesians, Perendale

3pm

Ryeland

5.30pm

Merino pairs evening function

SATURDAY, JULY 20

8.30am

Corriedale

9am

Aussie Downs, Black and Coloured sheep, Border Leicester, Merino group classes, Poll Dorset, Suffolk, Texel

10am

Dorper (black), Mohair fleece

11am

Cheviot

12 noon

Dohne

1pm

Merino (all-purpose classes final), Southdown, Wiltshire Horn

3pm

Wiltipoll

SUNDAY, JULY 21

8.30am

Corriedale junior judging

10am

ASSBA objective measurement, champion British-breeds group, Cashmere goats, Dohne, Interbreed classes, Merino junior judging

11am – 12.30pm

VAS junior judging state finals (fleece)

1pm

Schools interbreed

1.15pm

Schools interbreed group

1.30pm - 3pm

VAS junior judging state finals (meat breeds)