Sheepvention returned to Hamilton, Victoria, this week, with a jam-packed schedule that included the Elders Supreme Southern Clip of the Year award presentations.
L-R: State Wool Manager Lachie Brown, Southern Clip of the Year winners Sarah and Pat Millear, District Wool Manager Craig Potter, and Wool Technical Manager Breanna Hayes.
The prestigious award was presented on Monday at Sheepvention, celebrating excellence in wool production and showcasing the industry's finest clips from southern Victorian and Tasmania.
This year’s award was claimed by A P Millear from Stud Park South for his family’s exceptional clip, Edgarley.
"It's a great thrill to receive this award," Pat Millear said.
Stud Park South is located seven kilometers east of Walla in western Victoria, and has been a family-run Merino-focused property since 1878. The Millear family, now in its fifth generation, has maintained a deep-rooted tradition in wool production, with the farm’s historic seven-stand shearing shed still in operation today.
"The property has always been Merino-focused, with a legacy of rigorous sheep classing and selective breeding," Pat said.
Stud Park South also integrates cropping into its operations, contributing to the overall sustainability and quality of its wool production.
Of the winning clip, Pat highlighted the meticulous preparation and high standards maintained at Stud Park South.
"We are very rigorous with our sheep classing. The clip averaged 19 microns across the adult sheep, with exceptional yields and tensile strengths," he said.
Pat emphasised the long-standing relationship between Stud Park South and Elders.
"Elders has been a big part of our property and our marketing efforts. Their continued support in selling rams and wool is second to none," he said.
Growers filled the Elders marquee at Sheepvention for the presentations on Monday, where State Wool Manager Lachie Brown shared the significance of the event and its impact on the wool industry.
"It's really pleasing to see such a great turnout for the Southern Clip of the Year award. This event recognises wool growers across the board, giving them something to aspire to," he said.
"In the current environment where growers may not be seeing rewards through prices, this award provides holistic recognition for their efforts."
"We want to keep growers passionate and enthusiastic about wool. This award helps achieve that by highlighting the quality and excellence of their work. The financial rewards will follow as the market improves.”
Sheepvention caps off a busy period of wool events and celebrations, following other regions’ Clip of the Year awards, the Australian Wool and Sheep Show in Bendigo, and the launch of world-first wool handling business, Elders Wool last week.
Reflecting on the past month's wool-related events, Lachie noted an underlying positive sentiment among producers despite current challenges.
"There's a general acceptance of the current market conditions and weather impacts. However, there's a strong belief in the future of agriculture and wool as a sustainable, biodegradable fiber that modern consumers value," he said.
"We're dedicated to backing the wool industry, ensuring solid demand, and innovating to maintain efficiency and profitability without adding costs. This is increasingly important as sustainability becomes a key focus.”