PLC Armidale students have taken top honours at the 2026 NSW Merino Wether Challenge in Dubbo, winning both statewide and regional titles.
The school’s Stage 5 Agriculture students were named Overall Best Presented Team in Wool, finishing first among 68 schools competing in the challenge.
PLC Armidale was also named Overall Champion Zone 1 Team, ahead of 16 other schools in the zone.
The school recorded strong results across the Zone 1 competition, including:
- First — Best Presented Team in Wool
- First — Highest Carcase Value
- Second — Best Presented Team Out of Wool
- Second — Highest Wool Value
- Third — Best Presented Team Out of Wool
More than 600 students presented about 400 Merino wethers during the two-day event after spending several months managing and preparing the animals at their schools.
The challenge gives students practical experience in sheep husbandry, nutrition, wool production and flock management, with wethers assessed on growth, carcase value, wool quality and presentation.
PLC Armidale Agriculture teacher Briony Looker said the results were a testament to the students’ commitment, teamwork and attention to detail.
“Our students dedicated many months to managing, monitoring and preparing their wethers for the competition,” Looker said.
“To be named the best-presented team in wool across the entire competition and the overall Zone 1 champions is an exceptional achievement.
“The girls represented PLC Armidale with great skill, professionalism and pride.”
Students also took part in workshops, activities and presentations by industry experts, providing an insight into career opportunities across the sheep and wool industry.
PLC Armidale Principal Nicola Taylor said the program demonstrated the value of connecting classroom learning with practical experience.
“Programs such as the Merino Wether Challenge encourage our girls to think critically, solve problems, collaborate and persist through challenges,” Taylor said.
“These are the capabilities young people will need to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
“We are immensely proud of our students and the commitment they demonstrated throughout this program.”
PLC Armidale thanked Australian Wool Innovation for staging the event and Mrs Looker for preparing and supporting the students throughout the program.
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