Showcase what your students know about Merino fleece, production, breeding and selection. Provide an opportunity for them to meet with a careers panel made up of industry leaders and discover the various employment opportunities available in the sheep and wool industry.
The National Merino Challenge is a two-day national competition, which aims to improve the engagement of Australian senior high school and tertiary students with the Merino industry, by developing their skills and networks.
The NMC is an Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) initiative designed to allow young people to engage with the Merino industry by developing their knowledge, skills and networks, and involves presentations and demonstrations from industry professionals.
Up for the challenge
Students participate in seven ‘mini-challenges’ over two days, testing their knowledge of Merino fleece, production, breeding and selection.
Techniques from several well-known industry initiatives, such as MERINOSELECT, Lifetime Wool, Bredwell Fedwell and Visual Sheep Scores, are used throughout the NMC, giving students a realistic and practical insight into the tools available to growers to make more informed decisions.
The two-day competition also incorporates an industry dinner to allow them to meet key industry figures and have a bit of fun!
The Challenge has two sections – late secondary and tertiary – and is open to years 11 and 12 and tertiary students, Australia-wide. The tertiary sector includes university students and those studying through TAFE or another RTO.
support materials
The NMC provides teachers with materials and techniques to prepare their students for the Challenge, as well as providing the students with materials they can use to get ready for the NMC.
Students can choose to do as much or as little work in the lead up to the NMC as they like. Materials are provided to all participants and their teachers to create a more even playing field. A regional workshop will be held in early 2018to support students and teachers looking to participate in the event.
SYDNEY, May 2019
The 2018 NMC will be held at Sydney Showgrounds on Saturday, 25 and Sunday, 26 May 2019.
Tasmanian students will be eligible for a travel bursary to help fund their participation.
Registrations open during April 2019
Visit the NMC website or contact your NMC state champions for more details about NMC and the Regional Training Day:
Watch the NMC promotional video
Download an NMC presentation as a PDF