Business & Rural
23 July, 2026
Fleece a cut above rest
The Dunluce farmer and member of the Loddon Valley Merino Stud Breeders’ Association won the coveted award with his fleece that had earlier been named winner in medium wool Merino fleece.
NORM Weir has taken out the Victorian championship at the Australian Fleece Competition.
The Dunluce farmer and member of the Loddon Valley Merino Stud Breeders’ Association won the coveted award with his fleece that had earlier been named winner in medium wool Merino fleece.
With an average mean micron of 19.5, the fleece from Norm’s Kerrilyn Stud was also among the heavest in the competition judged at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo last week.
Judges awarded the fleece maximum points for staple length, noil and mid-breaks.
The total score was 90.45 out of 100.
The strong Merino class was also taken out by Kerrilyn that also had an average mean micron of 19.5 and received maximum judging points for fibre length in the wool top and the top’s co-efficient of variation rating.
“We’ve been medium and strong wool fleece champions before and also the most successful exhibitor.
“But this is the first time we’ve taken out the Victorian championship,” he said.
The champion fleece came from the stud’s show rams last year.
Norm said the last few seasons had been tougher for the region with fleeces finer and lighter.
“This year we are back to around 20 micron and average 7kg-8kg whereas last season we were around 6kg and 19 micron,” he said.
“It’s looking like a good year and we’re finally getting water in the dams after the rains a fortnight ago ... 60-70mm has been a relief.
“Even the small creeks are running around Dunluce for the first time in three years.
“They are talking about a bad El Nino but this rain will get us through to harvest although a bit of a spring top up would be good.
“It assures us that we’ll get the header out.”
Read More: Local