School has never been Christopher Brown’s cup of tea.
But that all changed when six sheep turned up outside his classroom.
Christopher Brown hopes to take over his family’s farm. (ABC Rural: Faith Tabalujan)
For the past six months, Christopher and nine other students from Greater Shepparton Secondary College (GSSC) have been raising a flock of merino wethers.
For Christopher, who has grown up on his family’s farm at Murchison, south-west of Shepparton, handling sheep is second nature.
“I pretty much do everything with sheep, from shearing to drenching and marking,” he said.
“It’s very different from school — in a good way.”
Program with a purpose
Christopher’s school has been participating in the Merino Wether Challenge, a national program for agriculture students in years 9 to 11.
The challenge was launched in South Australia 15 years ago, as a joint initiative of the Australian Sheep Breeders Association and Australian Wool Innovation (AWI).
Students learn to handle wool in the Merino Wether Challenge. (ABC Rural: Jane McNaughton)
AWI Victoria and Tasmania coordinator Lachlan West said the challenge was now run in Australia’s four wool-growing states.
“New South Wales is the biggest with about 70 schools competing, but all of the other states — Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania — each have about 12 schools,” he said.
“But it’s the first year the Victorian program is running, which is really exciting.”
During the six-month challenge, students learn about animal husbandry, health and nutrition.
Mr West said the program aimed to nurture the next generation of sheep producers.
“We hope to encourage students as they’re leaving school to consider a job in the sheep and wool industries and show them all the career paths they can follow,” he said.
And Mr West said the merino was the breed for the job.
“As a multi-purpose sheep, the merino has been in Australia for a very long time,” he said.
“We want to show it’s still an important breed which produces a very sustainable fibre for the future.”
Farming fever
After hearing about the challenge, GSSC agriculture teacher Charlotte Drinnan said she was keen to get students involved.
“As a sheep breeder and woolgrower myself, I immediately wanted to jump on board,” she said.
Ms Drinnan said it had helped her students learn about all sides of sheep farming.
Charlotte Drinnan says she’s excited her students are getting involved in agriculture. (ABC Rural: Faith Tabalujan)
“Our particular merinos are dual-purpose, so they produce a good carcass and a good fleece,” she said.
“So with one breed of animal, we can learn about wool processing, butchery and all the products — other than milk — which come from sheep.”
Christopher said the program had deepened his farming knowledge.
“It’s pretty good — you learn a bit more theory than you do at home,” he said.
Shepparton students Rory and Jagamahra are among the first Victorians to compete in the merino challenge. (ABC Rural: Faith Tabalujan)
Fellow GSSC students Jagamahra Weston and Amber McCauley said the program had been an eye-opener.
“I had no clue about sheep, but it’s made me respect farmers more, how they have to get up every morning and work with their animals,” Jagamahra said.
“Working with sheep can be pretty hard and tiring.”
Amber said it had nudged her towards a career in agriculture.
“I’ve learnt lots of new stuff, like how sheep have four stomachs and regurgitate their food after they’ve eaten,” she said.
“I definitely will consider agriculture, because I love sheep, cows, chickens, pigs — all farm animals.”
Top sheep from Shepparton
This week, 11 schools flocked to Clunes, a small town 36 kilometres north of Ballarat, for the first Victorian Merino Wether Challenge.
Students from 11 schools met in Clunes, with their sheep in tow. (ABC Rural: Jane McNaughton)
A total of 66 sheep — six from each school — were judged for carcass value and wool quality, with students also tested on their wool handling skills.
Ms Drinnan said going in, it was anyone’s game.
“All the sheep came from the Kerrilyn Merino Stud west of Bendigo, so genetically it was a level playing field,” she said.
Mr West said students came from all over the state to compete.
“We had schools from Shepparton, Swan Hill, Goroke and Nhill, as well as Geelong and Ballarat getting involved,” he said.
“So it’s not just isolated to regional areas, which is really good to see.”
Year 10 students from Shepparton have spent six months getting their ewes in tip-top condition. (ABC Rural: Faith Tabalujan)
But it was the sheep-loving students of Shepparton who emerged victorious.
GSSC’s 10 students claimed the overall grand champions title, coming first in the “best presented” and second in the “best carcass” categories.
Mr Weston said the news was still sinking in.
“It’s very surreal — I didn’t think we’d win because we had some tough competition,” he said.
“But it’s good to bring home the trophy.”
Ms Drinnan said it was worth the months of hard work.
“I was hopeful but really wasn’t expecting anything, so this is absolutely fantastic,” she said.
“And this will cement our program for the future, as I’m sure our leadership team will be very excited.”
