Sheepvention showcases agriculture’s finest

Interest in Sheepvention at Hamilton returned to pre-pandemic levels. See all the highlights here.

Technology, top prices and taste bud-tempting treats have combined for an action-packed 2023 Sheepvention.

Hundreds filed through the gates of the Hamilton Showgrounds for the final day of the annual event, which has bounced back to pre-pandemic attendance levels.

Sheepvention president David Botterill said Hamilton’s restaurants, hotels and accommodation providers worked overtime to cater to visitors across Australia.

“It’s been a fantastic couple of days. We got back into the swing of things in 2022 after having the cancel during the covid years, and now 2023 is even better,” Mr Botterill said.

“Sheepvention is great for Hamilton’s pubs, cafes, the shops in the main street. They say there isn’t a spare room at any of the accommodation between here and Port Fairy.”

In a packed program of competitions, Anne Maree Kahukura took out top honours in the Sheepvention Wool Handling Competition, while the winner of the Best Innovation 2023 went to the SheerSpeed group.

Rams take their place during Sheepvention 2023. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Ballarat Grammar’s Lucy Calvert won first place in the Victorian Agriculture Show’s Junior Judging Competition under 15s category.

Fellow Ballarat Grammar student Jimmy Jess was placed second.

In the over-15s category, Isobel Mecham won top billing, while fellow Hamilton & Alexandra College student Jock Nicholls was placed second.

Fletcher International Exports director Roger Fletcher officially opened the two-day event on Sunday.

He told attendees that the Chinese economic malaise was flowing through to the Australian market.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have woollen mills left in Australia. Wool is predominantly scoured and combed in China, then moved on to other countries,” Mr Fletcher said.

“So it’s not China taking all the wool, but they are big consumers. So the downturn in China has had a lot of an effect on our markets.

“After 12 months, we will come back stronger and better (with Australia to China trade), particularly in sheep meat. Their middle class is growing like nowhere else in the world.”

Victorian Agriculture Minister Gayle Tierney announced a $93,000 government grant for more students to participate in the Certificate II in shearing course through Rural Industries Skill Training (RIST) in Hamilton.

She said the grant would go towards new virtual reality educational content and upgrading shearing handpieces.