SOUTH Australian schools, TafeSA and universities are being encouraged to participate in the 2014 National Merino Challenge to further their students' knowledge of sheep and wool.
The Australian Wool Innovation initiative aims to improve the engagement of young people in the Merino industry and teach them about sheep breeding and selection, wool handling and wool values.
The first event was held at Dubbo, NSW, over two days in August, attracting 60 students from 10 schools and universities across the country, but with a more central location - the Melbourne Showgrounds - it is hoped numbers will grow further for the May 24-25 event.
The challenge tests competencies from AWEX Typing, wool valuation, calculating ewe nutrition and feed budgets, and ram and ewe selection with seven mini-challenges over the two days. It is also a great networking opportunity, featuring an industry dinner.
SA was not represented in the pilot year but six to eight schools from the South East, Mid North and Eyre Peninsula have already expressed their interest at participating.
Challenge committee members from SA Michelle Cousins, Burra, and Sydney Lawrie, Tumby Bay, both became involved to encourage young people in the Merino industry and are hoping more schools will become part of it to foster the next generation of sheep producers, stock agents, and wool brokers.
A Train the Trainer course will be held on February 24-25 in Melbourne with industry specialists delivering a mix of theory and practical, and the committee members are providing additional support to interested schools such as Ram Select workshops.
AWI has developed two training manuals, one aimed at secondary students and another at tertiary students.
Mr Lawrie, Collandra North stud, said he was motivated to become involved to highlight the Merino industry to school and university students.
"It seems like a lot of young people still don't realise the opportunities in agriculture, particularly in the sheep and wool industry to make good money and be part of a great industry, and it is so diverse with so many different jobs each day," he said."
"We have already seen a number of those who went to Dubbo going on to organise work experience with local sheep producers. It is such a good linkage with wool traders, stock and station agents and sheep and wool processing all involved."
Mrs Cousins, Cousins Merino Services, said it was a fantastic way to show students the opportunities in the Merino industry - and a great networking event.
"It really takes them outside their comfort zone and opens their eyes to what is out there," she said. "In SA we are often a bit isolated from what is happening in the eastern states."
* Full report in Stock Journal, December 12 issue, 2013.
Catherine Miller
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
