First-gen farmer earns ‘fleece trifecta’ at Victoria’s major shows

First-generation woolgrower Ronelle Welton has achieved a trifecta fleece championship, after winning several ribbons between Victoria’s major shows.

A newstarter in wool-growing has not one, not two, but three champion fleece awards under her belt after an exceptional showing year.

Ronelle Welton with her sheep on her farm at Bullengarook Picture: Zoe Phillips

Originally from far north Queensland’s Atherton Tablelands and Townsville, first-generation farmer Ronelle Welton says she was “surprised I’ve fallen in love so much with the fibre”.

“The irony being, growing up in far north Queensland, you only own one jumper,” she said.

The self-confessed “treechanger” now has about 32ha at Bullengarook, Macedon Ranges, which is home to her 50 Cloverleaf Corriedale stud sheep, and about 70-head for commercial lamb. Ronelle bought her first five sheep in 2013 and moved to the farm full-time in 2018.

This year she celebrated taking home the top fleece prizes at Melbourne Royal, Royal Geelong, and the Australian Sheep & Wool Show at Bendigo. It was her first time showing at Geelong, second time at ASWS and third year for Melbourne Royal.

Ronelle bought her first five sheep in 2013 and moved to the farm full-time in 2018.

She aims to produce good, sound sheep with a secondary focus on her fleece, breeding between 26-27 micron primarily using Croydon Corriedales & Suffolks, and Roseville Corriedales stud sheep.

She said it took her about four years to breed the fleece to 26 micron from about 30-32.

“I was selecting more for the finer fleeces while maintaining the black Corriedale points and structure,” she said.

“My aim is to benchmark with stud standards and the national sheep standards.”

Ronelle said it took her about four years to breed the fleece to 26 micron from about 30-32.

Ronelle was particularly passionate about linking urban and rural cultures, and found comfort in working with her local farming community.

“The bigger farmers are so knowledgeable, they have so much to share, and they are happy to share,” she said.

“Don’t hesitate to get involved in the communities, talk to people and reach out because it will be reciprocal.”