Entries are now open for 17th Australian Fleece Competition.
The prestigious competition that has a total prize value of more than $16,000 encompasses all main wool types – including Merino fleeces from strong through to ultrafine and fleeces from Dohnes, Polwarths, Corriedales, British and other breeds.
The competition will again have a Merino Performance 6 to 8 Month Shearing classes.
Within these categories, there are classes for stud and commercial animals, as well as awards for overall winners and most valuable fleeces.
Candice Cordy works for Landmark, one of the competition’s key partners, and after having been involved with the competition for a number of years will, this year, be its convener for the first time. The other key partners are the Australian Wool Testing Authority Ltd (AWTA) and the Australian Sheep Breeders Association, which hosts the Australian Sheep and Wool Show (ASWS) in Bendigo.
Ms Cordy was excited to announce The OTIS Foundation as the selected charity this year. Participants can chose to donate the proceeds from the sale of their fleeces to a different charity chosen each year, and between 2001 and 2016, more than $127,000 has been raised for 16 national charities.
The OTIS Foundation provides retreat accomodation at no cost to those living with the challenges of breast cancer. Representatives Rachel Mason and Carlie Ryan said they were thrilled to be chosen this year.
The OTIS Foundation was established in Bendigo some 15 years ago, and since that time has grown to have 36 properties in five states and territories, of which 35 are in regional or rural locations. Some of these are owned by The OTIS Foundation, including a recently opened one at Redesdale which was made possible when a farming family, the Campbells, donated 28 acres and Paul Gray Builders worked in partnership to develop a purpose-built homestead. Most of the properties are underutilised holiday rentals and Ms Mason said most of the people they help and their families travel from within about a three-hour drive radius, so they can still be close to medical services if needed.
“Last year, we were able to help almost 800 families and provide almost 4000 nights of accomoation across our network,” Ms Ryan said.
Ms Mason said it was very rewarding to be able to OTIS guests with time and space in an environment that allowed them to relax and reconnect with family, friends and supporters.
Ms Cordy said much of Victoria was having a fantastic season and the competition team was hopeful to see some very good quality fleeces.
She highlighted that getting both objective measurements and subjective measurements, from an exporter and a wool broker, could be a “really good learning experience” for stud and commercial producers. She said the performance classes could be of particular use as more commercial operations shear on the six to eight month cycle and it could help them better understand returns per week.
“It would be fantastic to have as many fleeces donated as possible,” she said.
Cheif executive of the ASWS Margot Flaconer said the Australian Fleece Competition was a “huge contribution to the show”. The winners are announced at the Saturday night’s breeders’ dinner.
Ms Falconer said the preparations were “all go” and the team expected another bumper year of sheep and fleece entries.
She said they had joined with the Riyal Agricultural Society of Victoria to use their online system for those entries, which she said would be a better fit than the old system.
Another change, is this year’s Ram Sale will brought forward a day and will be held on Sunday, July 16, instead of the Monday as it had previously been held.
Australian Fleece Competition entries close on May 26.
