TOP SIRE 2026–2027 NSW PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE WELCOME TO THE 2026–2027 NSW SMBA TOP SIRE As we race towards the 2026–2027 ram selling season, stud Merino breeders are enjoying having the wind at our backs in the form of a bullish wool market, continued strong livestock demand and, for many, a return to at least reasonable seasonal conditions. The Merino story is always a great one and stud breeders love telling it, but people just listen better when it is framed against strong wool and sheep prices. I wish all stud Merino breeders every success with their ram selling for the coming year. In 2025–2026, the NSW Stud Merino Breeders’ Association’s focus was on those activities and expenditures that promoted commercial Merino breeding and the interests of our membership. Our support for the many flock ewe competitions was central to that strategy and this Top Sire spotlights the competitions, the enthusiasm of all involved and the benefits of sharing knowledge and experience in this format. A day in the company of likeminded people, looking at good sheep and listening to how others do it can be both therapeutic and motivational, and I recommend your participation in such events. As I have stated previously, I think that if we are to positively influence the future of the Merino industry that we are stronger and more effective as a united force. Working together we can combat the many obstacles that continue to nip at the fundamentals of our industry and, more importantly, we can educate, promote and advocate for the benefit of all in the industry. The NSW Stud Merino Breeders’ Association, in conjunction with the other state Merino bodies, have combined as members of the newly created Merino Australia Limited (MAL), which is now functional and finalising its operational requirements. I look forward to MAL developing its influence and being a unified voice for the Merino Industry. That doesn’t mean the NSW Stud Merino Breeders’ Association can relax. We are all aware that there is much to be done on many fronts. So, the Association will continue to support important industry events like the commercial ewe competitions, the NSW School Wether Challenge, Hay Inc and the Peter Westblade Scholarship. The Association will also continue to support and recommend animal welfare best practice, including the use of anaesthetics or analgesics in the mulesing debate, but we will not support any mandatory policy. The Association is fortunate to be supported in its endeavours by a number of generous sponsors and I thank and commend these businesses to you. We welcome XytoVet back for a third year as the Association’s Gold Sponsor. Our Silver Sponsors are Achmea Insurance, Shearwell and Zoetis, while StockLive has again come on board as a Bronze Sponsor. I would also like to thank AWN Rural, Elders and Nutrien for their support of the NSW Merino Calendar; I know it is at least a weekly reference point for me. In addition to our sponsors, the NSW SMBA is reliant upon the dedicated members who give so freely of their time and so willingly share their knowledge and expertise to ensure the Association maintains a professional operational standard and strives to meet its core objectives. James Derrick was recently made a Life Governor of the Association in recognition of his long involvement, which has included a term as President and his outstanding contribution in chairing the committee charged with the responsibility of overseeing the NSW SMBA Trust. Thank you and congratulations James. We are very fortunate to have a terrific group of people who have accepted the role of Councillors of our Association as well as an elite register of Life Governors, all of whom are identified at the front of the Top Sire. I encourage everyone who has any – 3 –
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