Held at the Dubbo TAFE campus along Narromine Road, on Monday, February 20, the students and their agricultural teachers were split into four groups which focuses on wool, nutrition, breeding and an industry overview.

Over 200 students from across the central west took part in the challenge.

Trangie Central School agricultural teacher Ali Dorman said being just under an hour away from Dubbo, it was a good day trip out for her Year 9 and 10 student, Jacana Powell, Demi Dunn and Abbie Fraser .

“It’s also just a great way to support local breeders and farmers,” Miss Dorman said.

This was the first time Tullamore Central School have participated in the School Wethers Challenge and agriculture teacher Natasha Shankelton said taking part would give her students a lot more exposure to merino wool and the meat industry.

“It’s our first year in the Challenge and it’s just a great opportunity to be a part of,” she said.

Ms Shankelton said coming from a dorper background herself, this would also be a learning opportunity for her too.

Her Tullamore students, Jack Darcy, Angus Porter and Lachlan Curr all said they were interested in the merino industry.

“It’s been great to learn about the different sheep traits  ... ,” Jack Darcy said.

Gilgandra High Scool students Robyn Holland, Tianna Watt and Shanae Shepherd, don’t come from an agricultural background, but all are passionate about the industry.

“I like working with the animals and the practical side of the course,” Tianna Watt said.

President of the Rabobank National Merino Sheep Show and Sale Matthew Coddington said hopefully one day these students will run their own merino sheep stud.

“And realise merinos are a profitable enterprise,” Mr Coddington told Fairfax Media.

Mr Coddington said one of the aims of the Challenge was to get the students excited about merinos.