School students approach finish line of wether challenge

More than 700 high school students are preparing for the final judging of the NSW School Merino Wether Challenge.

• Judging for NSW School Merino Wether Challenge to take place in Dubbo from Tuesday 27 to Wednesday 28 August

More than 700 high school students from 70 schools across the state will present months of hard work for judging at the NSW School Merino Wether Challenge.

Charles Sturt University hosted the wether collection day in March and a mid-challenge workshop in June, both in Wagga Wagga and as the result of a collaboration with Bralca.

Bralca is run by three generations of Charles Sturt alumni who remain committed to giving back and collaborating with the University to grow agricultural industries.

Participating schools were given six wethers to care for. The animals will be judged based on meat and wool quality at the challenge's finale in Dubbo.

The challenge is run each year to educate high school students about the commercial production of Merino sheep with funding provided by the Australian Wool Innovation and the purchase of wethers donated by the Dubbo National Ram Sale Association.

Bralca Events Manager and Operations Coordinator, and Charles Sturt alumna, Ms Brooke Watts said the final event will be a celebration of months of hard work by all students involved.

"It's a unique program, providing students with a memorable hands-on learning experience," she said.

"This is a brilliant stepping stone for students looking to pursue a career in agriculture.

"There is always a nice buzz in the atmosphere as schools merge together in Dubbo, proudly showing their results from a dedicated six months at a school level."

Students will have a chance to learn from the University's Head of Digital and Sustainable Agriculture Mr Jon Medway, who is on the careers panel and will be presenting on 'Agricultural Technology: The Future of Farming. Technology and data are transforming the agricultural sector, learning to understand data and technology in ag and it's a gateway to a rewarding and in-demand career'.

Charles Sturt's involvement in the challenge is another example of the University supporting high school students' pathways into higher education via the many agriculture courses on offer at Charles Sturt.

The University will also have a site where students can see the Global Digital Farm trailer, including drones and infrared sensors, and take a virtual 360-degree tour of the commercial farm.

The final judging event will be held at the Dubbo Showgrounds from Tuesday 27 to Wednesday 28 August as part of the Rabobank National Merino Sheep Show and Sale.

The event is run in collaboration with Bralca, Australian Wool Innovation, NSW Stud Merino Breeders Association and the Dubbo National Ram Sale Association. Charles Sturt University are sponsors of the 2024 program.

Media Note:

For more information, contact Nicole Barlow at Charles Sturt Media on 0429 217 026 or [email protected]

Photo caption: (From left) Charles Sturt alumni Brooke Watts and her father, Ben Watts, with Senior Marketing Manager, for Charles Sturt's Faculty of Science and Health Belinda Doherty in Wagga Wagga in March.

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