ONE of the highlights of the Peter Westblade Memorial Merino Challenge is the shearing of more than 750 wethers.
The trial includes 50 teams of 15 wethers and boasts massive genetic representation.
Trial organiser Craig Wilson was overseeing the shearing of the wethers and the TAFE NSW Riverina Institute Primary Industries Centre in Wagga.
Aside from allowing for some fleece measurement the event was also an opportunity for young shearers to sharpen their skills.
Instructors from Australian Wool Innovation were on hand to provide pointers and help learner shearers improve.
Mr Wilson said the shearing was one of the most significant measurement milestones in the trial.
”What we are doing is benchmarking the genetics and measuring the profitability of the wool,” Mr Wilson said.
“And what we would expect is ranges in the order of 60 to 80 per cent (difference) in net profit per hectare.”
“We have had a great day and there has been a terrific audience,” he said.
