Sheepvention returned to Hamilton this week, with a jam-packed schedule across the two-day event, including the presentations of the 2022/23 Southern Clip of the Year awards.
The winners of the Southern Clip of the Year, Rachel Bowler, James Manning and their sons, alongside (back L-R) Elders State Wool Manager Lachie Brown, District Wool Manager Damien Whiteley and State General Manager Brendan Rinaldi.
Attendees to this year’s event were treated to live demonstrations of latest industry innovations, paddock-to-plate education sessions, and a range of fun activities and competitions.
Elders was once again out in force at Sheepvention, with plenty of pink shirts among those in attendance.
The Elders stud stock team fired up for the annual ram sale, drawing a large crowd to the sheep pavilion on Sunday. With a total of 73 Merinos, Poll Merinos and Corriedales on offer, 64 lots cleared, with an average price of $3515.
Sheepvention was not only a great opportunity to network and catch up with other growers from across the country, but also to hear about the current state of the sheep industry. Elders State General Manager for Victoria and Riverina, Brendan Rinaldi, provided an update on the performance and outlook of the wool sector, including recent progress on our new wool handling business. Elders’ Victoria and Riverina State Wool Manager, Lachie Brown, also presented to the wider crowd, discussing optimal wool presentation and selling methods.
The crowd packed into the Elders tent on Monday afternoon to watch the Southern Clip of the Year presentations, recognising exceptional wool growers for outstanding results across the 2022/23 season.
Congratulations to M & J Manning from Lemont, Tasmania, who won Clip of the Year. The winning clip was classed by Nerolie French, and the clients worked with Elders District Wool Manager Damien Whiteley.
James Manning said he was delighted to take out the top gong.
“It feels good to be recognised, all our hard work has come together,” he said.
“And it was certainly not just us, it is an effort between our team at home, Damien Whiteley and Nerolie French, who are all doing a really great job.”
Also presented were the Elders Clip of the Month awards – congratulations to the following growers:
- July: ROSEVALE RIDGE PTY LTD, Maroona, Victoria (classed by Sean McDougall)
- August: E M & M E LINKE, Tarrington, Victoria (classed by Everard Linke)
- September: R G BOWDEN & SON PTY LTD, Bothwell, Tasmania (classed by Jodi Hansch)
- October: D & K MONKS PTY LTD, Bothwell, Tasmania (classed Jason Rogers)
- November: M & J MANNING PTY LTD, Lemont, Tasmania (classed by Nerolie French)
- Jan-Feb: D & A HAYWARD, Omeo, Victoria (classed by R Richardson)
- Jan-Feb: ECHO COTTAGE PTY LTD, Nubeena, Tasmania (classed by Garry Westwood)
- March: MULLAGH PASTORAL COMPANY, Wombelano, Victoria (classed by Sarah Clarke)
- April-May: BROOKSDALE RURAL PTY LTD, Victoria Valley, Victoria (classed by Natalya Dibella)
- June: G J & C & T M SHEA, Ararat, Victoria (classed by Nessa Jenkins)
Elders Wool Quality Assurance & Marketing Manager, Samantha Wan, said the winners were selected from a strong field of contenders.
“These awards are an opportunity for us to recognise the quality and contribution of our clients, wool classers and all those who played their part in presenting these clips for sale, clips that go on to solidify Australia’s reputation of high-quality wool,” she said.
“Congratulations to all those involved in the presentation of these clips; as always judging these awards is difficult, with such a strong field of nominees.”