Porkie, though not a pig, is aptly named at 89.6kg.

That’s 20.2kg heavier than his woolly buddy Barry.

The pair are two of six Merino sheep in the “flock” that has been reared by Greater Shepparton Secondary College Year 10 agricultural students for the past six months.

They are bound for the Victorian Merino Wether Challenge in Central Highlands town Clunes on August 25, where they will be judged on highest value fleece, highest value carcass, best presented, most engaged school and broad-sashed grand champion, against 14 other schools from around the state.

The challenge is now in its third year.

Greater Shepparton Secondary College is the twice-reigning champion after students from the college took home the trophy from both the first and second challenge.

Now, a new cohort of kids hopes to follow in their footsteps.

Each of the 14 schools were given six wethers from Kerrilyn Merino Stud, Dunluce, six months ago, to give students hands-on experience for a glimpse into the sheep and wool industry and an even-playing field for competition.

Students and teachers are tasked with taking care of their nutrition and feeding, looking after their foot health, teeth condition and wool characteristics.

They’ve learned about animal health and husbandry, and how to handle the lively livestock.

Around 10 agricultural students will present their own sheep in Clunes, while also getting the opportunity to hear from industry experts and look into further education and career options.

The college held a sponsors’ event on August 12 to thank contributors for providing feed, bedding, transport and other support for the program.

Students displayed their sheep — Barry, Larry, Cheds, Prince Sparkle, Mad Bob and Porkie — while teacher Charlotte Drinnan addressed guests.

“Budgets are tight in schools,” Ms Drinnan said.

“Without the generous donations of community, we probably wouldn’t be going to Clunes.”

Student Lucas Daldy, 15, said he was looking forward to the event and had enjoyed the past six months working with the sheep.

“It was good just being outside, not in a classroom all day,” he said.

Even though Lucas lives on a sheep property himself, he said he learned plenty about the Merino breed, as they were different to the self-shedding variety his family farmed.

“Ours are a lot less work, they’re mostly for meat,” he said.

“This was a good class; it teaches a lot of things you wouldn’t learn in other classes.”

The program is supported by AWI, Australian Sheep Breeders Association and Victorian Merino Sheep Breeders Association.

Will GSSC take home the mammoth woolly bragging rights again this year?

We’ll find out soon.

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Sunday, 5th February 2034

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