FINE wool growers Tim and Carla Brody were announced winners of the prestigious Elders Southern Clip of the Year at Sheepvention at Hamilton, Victoria.
The couple, who farm alongside Tim's parents Jim and Dianne at "Thurles", Melville Forest, outclassed 2000 clips to take the win.
This was the first time they took out the competition overall, however, they had been awarded Elders Clip of the Month awards previously.
Mr Brody said it was a great honour to win the competition.
The Brody's shore their 9000 Merino sheep in late March and early April with the clip sold in April/May at Melbourne.
Their clip averaged 17.5 micron and their adult ewes cut an average of five to five-and-a-half kilograms of wool per head.
The Brody's breed their own rams which are influenced by Nerstane genetics with fleece weight and micron measurement focuses of their selection criteria.
The sheep are managed using Lifetime Ewe Management principles with lambing percentages and survival rates high priorities for the Brody's.
The Brody's clip was prepared by Dunkeld classer Emma Vaughan.
Elders show floor manager Mal Nicholls, said the objective of the award was to promote and recognise well bred and well prepared wool clips.
"The years of breeding and management it takes to get to this level is one aspect, which can be complemented by the shearing team if they take care and pride in their work," he said.
