THE Eyre Peninsula Merino and Poll Merino Pre-Sale Expo at Wudinna next month will continue the "positive growth" enjoyed by breeders, according to EP Stud Merino Breeders Association president Chris Prime.
The recently-appointed president said he was extremely happy with the state of the Merino world and with the rise of wool and meat prices, it was a "fantastic time" to be in the industry.
"Last year showed some real positive growth and I think this year will do the same," he said.
The expo, starting at 10am on July 6, will have about 250 rams on display, and it is expected that 2000 more will be sold at auction and privately throughout the year.
A highlight of the day will be the judging of the Elders 2015 EP Champion Hogget Ram competition wit Avenel stud's Colin McCrabb, Wangaratta, NSW, set to judge.
The major prize this year is a John Deere D100 ride-on lawnmower, valued at $2799, donated by Pringles Ag Plus for the third consecutive year.
Mr Prime thanked the expo sponsors.
"Major sponsors like Elders and Pringles Ag Plus who have sponsored the event for many years are the reason that we can continually run the EP Merino Expo and in turn it really helps the industry," he said.
Pringles Ag Plus Wudinna's David Coventry said it would be his first Merino expo.
He said it was a great way to promote John Deere and get to know the farmers of the area.
Elders representative and expo secretary Jayne Marshall said she believed the event created fantastic exposure for the Merino industry.
She said Elders had been a major sponsor of the competition since it started. The expo has been held in Wudinna for the past seven years.
