“Goldsworth” produced smiles with plainer Merinos Bill and Louise Schumann were all smiles after the 2026 ANZ Agribusiness Gunning Flock Ewe Competition when their GRASS-blood Merino ewes were announced champion flock. Seven producers from across the region opened their gates for the competition, which attracted more than 30 spectators. Bill and Louise Schumann farm “Goldsworth” at Biala, north of Gunning, where they have a strong focus on wool production, averaging 18.6-micron at their June shearing. The Schumaann’s use a crutching machine ten days before shearing to better prepare the sheep for shearers. The flock is classed by Bill, who said they aim to breed a plainer Merino. In 2025, they joined 740 ewes to Merino sires and weaned 860 lambs. Tom and Vikki Basnett placed second with their 17.6-micron flock run at “Woodbine”, Gunning. Their flock is based on Bogo genetics and is classed by Austin Grace. In 2025, the Basnett’s culled their ewes and rams, classing out 50%, in the pursuit of driving higher outcomes with lower inputs. Moving forward, they plan to cull 30% of the flock each classing and hope to increase their wool cut without compromising micron. In 2025, the Basnett’s joined 1300 ewes to Merino sires, compared to 1850 the previous year. Campbell and Jo Basnett, “Nerragundah”, Gunning, rounded out the top three places, claiming third with their Bogo-blood flock, also classed by Austin Grace. Judges Mitch Rubie, Lachlan Merinos, Forbes, and Craig Wilson, Wagga Wagga, offered plenty of feedback during the competition, challenging wool growers to make the most of the data available to them to build a better flock. Mitch said consumers sought quality wool and there was room for all good wool to drive a profit, “They’re becoming a lot more aware of what they want to wear and what they like.” Craig continued, “In this industry, we’re not aggressive enough. If you want to make a change for a good reason, with good objective measure, make it now,” he said. “There’s no excuse to have poor quality sheep where we sit right at the moment.” ANZ Agribusiness Gunning Flock Ewe Competition | Friday 6 February 2026 Photo caption. Bill and Louise Schumann, “Goldsworth”, Biala, with their GRASS-blood ewes, which were announced the 2026 Gunning champion ewe flock. (Photo: Eliza Spencer, The Land) – 119 –
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