ASPIRING Merino sheep classers will have the latest classing techniques and tools outlined to them at the Balmoral Breeders 2023 field day at Tarranlea in Victoria this week.

The field day on Friday 10 February on the Robertson family’s Austral Park property will start with a classing masterclass from 10.30am-12pm that will include demonstrations of visual and breeding value assessments.

The masterclass will include an Australian Merino Sire Evaluation Association classing demonstration by Sam Thring from Elders, an Australian Sheep Breeding Values masterclass with MERINOSELECT development officer Chloe Bunter and general visual classing with Tom Silcock “showing how it’s really done.”

Mr Silcock said there are still spots available in the masterclass, but registration is essential with Emma via [email protected].

The field days will also feature inspection of the 2021 and 2022 drop AMSEA trial progeny from 12pm-5pm, some guest speakers and trade displays.

Austral Park owner Hamish Robertson will welcome participants, AMSEA executive officer Ben Swain will give a Merino Lifetime Productivity Project update and Tim Leeming will outline the sheep reproduction best practice program Toward 90.

Lunch will be available from 12.30pm at the property 121 Austral Park Rd, Tarranlea, and there will be a coffee van from 10.30am.