OVERWHELMING interest in the second annual Sheep Week event has led to the event expanding from five to nine days.
This year’s event will be held from Monday, June 18, through to Wednesday, June 27.
Last year’s inaugural open day event provided the opportunity for a range of sheep studs to open their gates to existing and prospective clients.
Mertex sheep stud co-principal Tim Jorgensen, Antwerp, said prospective clients visited their property during Sheep Week, and returned later in the year to buy rams.
“We had a fair few existing clients that came during the day to have a look, and then some other people that had talked about buying rams a couple of years before, came along and looked at rams, and then came and bought rams when they needed them in September and August,” Mr Jorgensen said.
He said in total, there were about 30 visitors that came through their gates on the day, which was a stress-free opportunity to see the entire operation.
“People can come along and see your entire flock, unlike at shows where they only see the show sheep that you’ve selected,” he said.
“We got to speak to everyone individually, and they could ask questions about the operation, and have a wander around.”
Fairfax agricultural media national livestock’s Nathan O’Sullivan agreed that the event provided a stress-free environment for stud principals and prospective clients.
“Feedback provided from the studs that participated last year was all positive, participants found the stress-free environment of an on-farm field day, and the opportunity to discuss their operations and that of the visitors without the stress of a pending show or sale, of great benefit to their businesses,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
“Being the inaugural event of a new concept, the 2017 Sheep Week event was certainly a success and provided a great platform for the event to build from.”
He said this success is why the event is expanding interstate.
“In 2018, Sheep Week will expand across the border into South Australia, and likewise push further north into New South Wales,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
“Our Fairfax Ag Media network is very strong, and each of the publications across the area covered by Sheep Week are excited to work together to provide what will be another great event, and continue to grow into the future.”
He said they anticipate that the number of studs involved will also grow.
“It is early days yet, however, we are anticipating to have approximately 100 studs participating and open during the nine days of Sheep Week,” he said.
There will be some big sponsors coming back on board again this year.
“Shearwell Australia has come on board as naming rights partner of 2018 Sheep Week after sponsoring the 2017 event,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
“Fellow 2017 partner Rural Bank has also partnered with us again in 2018, while composite sheep genetics company Focus Genetics has also joined us as a 2018 partner.
“Paton Stockfeeding are also back on board in 2018 as a competition sponsor.”
Entries are currently open, and close on Sunday, 18 March.
Studs can enter online, by filling in an entry form here.
Alternatively, they can contact their local livestock representative, or Nathan O’Sullivan, at nathan.osullivan@fairfaxmedia.com.au, or by phone, on 0439 558 938.