Commercial exhibitors Michael and Jenny Sweeney, of Tallara, Walcha, have won the Grand Champion title at the 2026 Australian Fleece Competition in Bendigo, Victoria.
Their winning 18.8-micron fleece from the Fine Merino class scored 97.50 out of a possible 100 points.
Reflecting on a successful year, Michael Sweeney said winning the Grand Champion title was a career highlight.
“This year we’ve won the Grand Champion Merino Fleece at the Walcha Show and Grand Champion Merino Fleece in the District Exhibits Competition at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. To win Grand Champion Fleece at Bendigo is the icing on the cake,” Sweeney said.
“Having been in the business of breeding and showing wool for 35 years, this is a lifetime goal and something that I have always dreamed about.”
The 2026 competition marks the 25th year of the Australian Fleece Competition, attracting 483 fleeces from 171 exhibitors.
Judge Tim Callan, of Segard Masurel, said the overall standard of entries made judging particularly challenging.
“All the fleeces were of a high standard, so it was quite a challenge to find the best in each class,” Callan said.
“As a wool buyer, trader, and processor, this year’s competition left me feeling like the proverbial ‘kid in a candy shop.’
“It is such a great feeling to see the Australian wool industry in such good hands. So many growers and studs are producing sheep and wool of such quality. Congratulations to all involved.”
Conrayn Merino Stud was awarded Reserve Grand Champion Fleece for its Extra Superfine fleece, which measured 16.9 micron and scored 94.75 points.
Entries were received from every Australian wool-growing state, with fleeces ranging from 12.7 micron to 51.1 micron.
Returning judge David Hart, of Nutrien Ag Solutions, said this year’s competition had surpassed an already exceptional benchmark.
“This being my second year of judging, I knew beforehand the quality of the field, and I was not let down. If anything, I believe this year’s competition exceeded the impressive standard set just last year,” Hart said.
“This year, I’ve been amazed by the breathtaking quality of the Super and Ultrafine wools. In fact, what we’ve seen across the board is wool at its magnificent best – soft, white and bright, stylish, and full of character.
“Congratulations again to all the exhibitors, you have demonstrated again that Australia grows the best wool in the world.”
Competition convenor and Nutrien Ag Solutions Wool Account Manager Candice Cordy said the event continued to grow in both size and quality.
“Each year the Australian Fleece Competition goes from strength to strength, and we’ve seen some incredible entrants in 2026,” Cordy said.
“What this continues to demonstrate is the remarkable diversity in Australia’s wool industry. This is the largest fully-measured fleece competition in the world, and we’re immensely proud of our growers and their ongoing commitment to the sector.”
All fleeces were weighed and sampled under Australian Wool Testing Authority (AWTA) standard procedures, including objective measurement of length and strength.
The competition is a collaboration between the Australian Sheep Breeders Association (ASBA), the Australian Wool Testing Authority (AWTA) and Nutrien Ag Solutions, and is held alongside the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo from 17–19 July 2026.
More than half the competition fleeces are donated by exhibitors each year, with proceeds supporting a nominated charity. Since its inception, the competition has raised more than $244,000 for charitable causes across Australia.
The 2026 nominated charity is the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
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