WA College of Agriculture — Narrogin trio take out top honours at Future Sheep Breeders challenge

A trio of WA College of Agriculture — Narrogin students have done the Wheatbelt proud, taking home all three sashes in the Perth Royal Show’s Future Sheep Breeders competition.

In a large field of competitors from across the State, it was the keen eyes of Tamara Keens, 17, Levi Wagenknecht, 17, and Aaron Schilling, 17, which earned them the coveted sashes.

It was the second sash of the day for Ms Keens and Mr Schilling, who came first and third respectively in the State Championship Merino Fleece judging competition held earlier the same day.

Competitors were required to judge a selection of four ewes and rams donated by studs exhibiting in the Perth Royal Show’s sheep shed, hand-picked by Belka Valley stud’s Phil Jones.

From stance, size and feet to colour and crimp of the wool, each competitor was required to rate them from 1-4 on paper, before explaining their reasoning why.

Mr Jones acknowledged the daunting nature of standing up in front of the crowd and critiquing someone else’s sheep, commending them for “giving it a crack”.

RASWA wool steward Ken Walker said it was great to see so many put their hand up this year to compete.

“It was very, very encouraging to see the number of young people who actually competed both in the wool and the merino sheep judging,” he said.

“It was a really, really high standard.”

They will next year travel to Hobart, sponsored by the Royal Agricultural Society, to represent WA in the national competition.