Forty school students from three high schools attended the annual field day at Taralga, hosted by the NSW Corriedale Association and Australian Wool Innovation (AWI).
Association president Tony Manchester, Roseville Corriedales, Kingsvale said the Corriedale breeders have had a longterm interest in promoting the breed and supporting the involvement of the next generation of sheep breeders.
“We believe the school’s involvement in breeding and showing should be encouraged,” Mr Manchester said.
“This is where their passion for sheep starts.”
Students from St Gregory’s, Campbelltown, All Saints, Bathurst and Lithgow High School attended as they all have their own Corriedale stud and show stock at various shows including Canberra, Sydney and Dubbo.
They took part in the various activities with stud breeders sharing their knowledge on sheep judging and handling sheep.
Mr Manchester said the theme for this year was the journey of the fleece once it is shorn until it becomes a finished product.
“Tymec Corriedale stud bought some young ewe hoggets straight out of the paddock, unclassed and unhandled for the students to work on,” Mr Manchester said.
“It was so different from the show scene which they are a part of, and it certainly demonstrated the calm nature of the breed.”
In taking keen a interest in the day, Mr Manchester said it underlined the experience of the elder students and the enthusiasm of the younger students who learnt basic skills very quickly.
Emily King and Julie Davies, from AWI outlined the current developments in fashion, markets and the process of marketing wool.
Fiona Raleigh, AWEX, explained the process of classifying wool in the shearing shed, and gave tips to the students on how to ‘throw’ a fleece so it can be skirted and classed, while Bill Johnson, LLS, Goulburn, gave a fascinating insight into animal health.
When thanking all who contributed, Mr Manchester said ‘the help of AWI, AWEX and LLS once again proved to be amazing.”
