GOOD entries are expected for the next Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria’s McLennan-McColl Flock of the Year competition in north-east Victoria.

Top commercial Merino flocks in north-east Victoria will have their chance to shine and win up to $1500 in the prestigious competition.

The rejuvenated competition, supported by Merino Victoria, was held in Gippsland last year. On-farm judging of participating flocks in the 2016 competition will be held on March 16 and 17. The competition is open to commercial Merino producers from the region.

Elders’ north-east Victoria district wool manager Rex Bennett said despite the area working through a mixed season this year, he did not expect it would impact on the quality of the sheep for competition.

He is hoping to have four or five of his commercial clients in the competition and other agencies were also canvassing their wool growers.

“I expect there will be some good flocks entered,” he said.

Mr Bennett said the season has been good in northern areas of the region, but “fairly ordinary” further south, between Benalla and Mansfield.

The competition is named in honour of well-respected wool producer Neil McLennan and wool classer Keith McColl. Entrants get the opportunity to view other production systems and learn best practice management with competing properties open for official judging, as well as viewing by fellow producers.

RASV chief executive Mark O’Sullivan said the society is delighted to once again be presenting the competition as a unique opportunity for Victorian Merino producers, as part of the RASV’s commitment to showcase and celebrate excellence in Victoria agriculture and support regional events.

“The quality of the field for the 2015 competition in Gippsland was outstanding and we look forward to seeing the calibre of entries from the North East Victoria region in 2016.”

Registrations for the 2016 competition are now open and will close on December 11 2015 with RASV members eligible for a discount on the $100 entry fee.

For more information on how to enter, visit www.rasv.com.au/flockoftheyear or contact Claudia Fox, RASV on 03 9281 7422 or [email protected]