Australia-Merino sheep sale.

AUSTRALIA-MERINO SHEEP.

THE annual South Australian Stud Merino Expo showcasing the best genetics the Merino industry has to offer and the latest industry information will be held on March 16 and 17 in the Mid North.

In these current times the Merino has remained a profitable meat and wool option and spokesperson Michelle Cousins is expecting at least similar numbers to last year’s event.

She has even taken phone calls from interested Western Australians.

Mrs Cousins has noticed renewed interest in sheep with the string of dry years as farmers recognise the importance of diversification to their businesses, rather than a sole cropping focus.

"Sheep numbers are not declining and people are seeing them as a valuable tool to diversify and not rely entirely on cropping," she said.

Australian Wool Innovation will have a strong presence at the Expo being held at Burra Oval, with visitors able to meet new AWI chairman Wal Merriman and recently appointed chief executive officer, Brenda McGahan.

Twice world champion shearer Shannon Warnest, Willalooka, has been enlisted as the day’s ambassador and will shear three sheep during the ABC Country Hour’s live broadcast.

For the second year in a row Barossa cook Maggie Beer will give cooking demonstrations alongside Meat & Livestock Australia which will show how to cut-up and bone-out a sheep.

Other trade site displays will include Sheep Genetics Australia, the SA Murray Darling Basin Natural Resource Management Board, Primary Industries & Resources SA and Cousins Merino Services, along with a strong representation from major sponsor Elders.

Mrs Cousins says there has been a major effort to get the younger generation involved and the Burra High School will help run a competition on Cousins Merino Services’ stand to guess the fleece weight and micron of fleeces, as well as holding sheep during judging.

Well-respected Merino breeder Richard House, Barloo Merino stud, Gnowangerup, Western Australia, will officiate in the late afternoon judging to select the winning pair to represent SA at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo, Victoria, and at the Ram of the Year competition at Dubbo in late August.

More than 20 studs from across the State will exhibit at the Burra Oval on March 16, plus Anama, North Ashrose and Moorundie Park on-property in the Booborowie and Gulnare areas.

The following day Collinsville, East Bungaree, Glenowie, Greenfields, Gum Hill, Kelvale, Nyowee, Old Ashrose, Pindari, Springvale and Springvale North will hold on-property displays.