SCHOOL WETHER CHALLENGE 2025 Overall Winner Narrandera High School More than 700 students travelled to Dubbo for the final leg of the NSW School Wether Challenge, held in conjunction with the Rabobank National Merino Show. A record 75 schools from across NSW were represented, under the scrutiny of judges Russell Jones and Spike Orr. Students travelled from as far as Tenterfield and Murwillumbah in the north through to Deniliquin and Narooma in the south. South Strathfield High School also took part in the competition, coming from the inner western suburbs of Sydney. Students received a team of six Egelabra-blood wethers in March, with the August show marking the conclusion of the challenge. Sheep were assessed and scored based on the commercial values of their wool and meat as well as their estimated five-year earning ability. Additionally, students were evaluated on their sheep handling skills, presentation and knowledge of the industry. Narrandera High School claimed their first overall winner title with a total of 554.86 points. The best of their wethers returned $447.48, while their team of six averaged $376.67. They also placed first in the carcass value category, with Yanco Agricultural High School a close second. Reserve winner overall was awarded to West Wyalong High School with 542 points. Their team of wethers averaged $420.48 and returned a top of $452.50. Deniliquin High School rounded out the top three overall with a close score of 541 points, averaging $392.44 with their team. They also placed third in the overall carcass value category and second in the overall best presented (out of wool) category. The overall fleece value category was topped by West Wyalong High School with 44.99 points. In second place was Dubbo College Senior Campus with 43.73 points, while Barham High School came third with 43.33 points. Barham High School won the inaugural award for the highest value fleece. Based on six months’ growth, the 18.7-micron fleece weighed 5.04kg with a 70mm staple length and 67% yield. It was valued at 1535c/kg and returned an overall value of $51.83. Best Presented (in wool) was awarded to Crookwell High School with 83.71 points. Second place was picked up by Barham High School with a tally of 82.08 points, while James Fallon High School claimed third place with 81.69 points. Dubbo College Senior Campus claimed the top honours for the Best Presented (out of wool) category with 92.83 points in total, closely followed by Deniliquin High School and Trangie Central School on 92.64 and 92.58 points, respectively. The NSW School Wether Challenge is backed by Australian Wool Innovation and the Dubbo National Merino Ram Sale Association. It is made possible through the partnership of the NSW Stud Merino Breeders’ Association, Fletcher International Exports and Egelabra Merino Stud. Photo captions. 1– Narrandera High School students with their team of wethers that claimed the overall champion title in the 2025 NSW School Wether Challenge. 2– The shed was full of students participating in the NSW School Wether Challenge, with a record 75 schools participating in 2025. (Photos: The Land) 1– 2– – 75 – 1800 146 892 dipping@electrodip.co.nz www.electrodip.com FLY OR LICE PROBLEMS? The magic eye sheepjetter since 1989 Quality construction and options • Get the contractors choice • Incredible chemical economy • Amazing ease 1500+ per hour • Unique self adjusting sides • Environmentally and user friendly • Automatically activated • Proven efficient on lice as well as flies • Compatible with all dip chemicals • Accurate, effective application
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