Booleroo Centre District School year 10 student Poppy Pilmore will represent SA in next year’s ASA national final for Merino wool judging.
Poppy was the winner from 35 entrants in the senior division of the Merino fleece young judges competition.
Andrew Geddes, Booleroo Centre District School agricultural teacher, said he was extremely proud of Poppy and her ability to not lose focus when she was assessing the fleeces.
“Poppy’s oral presentation and handling was very good,” Mr Geddes said.
“That is what set her apart from the rest. Poppy was excellent at turning the fleece over and looking for impurities, shorter and coloured wool.
“We rehearsed things well at school, and managed to iron out any faults.”
He said when they performed their mock run in the woolshed, Poppy received full marks.
“She is a consistent performer, and the agricultural science sector would miss her if she didn’t pursue that pathway.”
“She has a little bit extra. That is her personality, and she will have that for life.”
Although Poppy is not from a woolgrowing family, she said she can see herself involved in agricultural science. Her interest for wool has developed from her time studying agriculture at her school.
“This was actually my first competition,” Poppy said.
“We have done some exercises and practised with fleeces at school, but nothing at this level. It was a great experience, but also a lot of fun.”
Entrants had to judge and place in order four fleeces. They scored the fleeces according to crimp, staple length, vegetable matter present any faults that there may be.
Once entrants completed that stage six were shortlisted to make an oral presentation.
Although she said she was nervous about speaking, Poppy scored 45 out of 50 for her efforts and scored 50 from 50 for placings.
Her delicate handling of the fleece was also noted, scoring another perfect score of 50 for her efforts.
