A practical guide to Merino Tech’s October 9, 2026 Open Day, its breeding system, semen options and the questions worth taking to the farm.
Spring is a useful time to look at how breeding decisions become working-farm outcomes. Merino Tech’s 2026 Open Day is scheduled for Friday, October 9, bringing its annual program, guest speakers and 2026 sires together at Marbarrup near Scotts Brook in Western Australia.
We have pulled together the published schedule, the program’s concrete offerings and the questions a visitor can use to make the day worthwhile. The important context is that Merino Tech is a breeding program, not a conventional ticketed attraction: prices are published for semen, while event access details should be confirmed directly before travelling.
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At a glance
- The 2026 Open Day is listed for Friday, October 9 at Marbarrup, 122 Wahkinup Road, Scotts Brook, Western Australia.
- The published schedule gives an AGM at 9:00am, the Open Day from 9:30am, lunch and several guest presentations.
- The Merino Tech Poll semen catalogue lists $50 per dose for non-progeny-tested sires and $60 for progeny-tested sires.
- The program connects an elite nucleus, ram breeding centre, pedigree records and objective measurement.
Why this Open Day matters this spring
The event’s theme is “Optimising the Merino for the new reality”. That makes it timely for anyone reviewing flock performance before the next round of breeding choices. The published speaker list includes Ashley Herbert of Agrarian, Mark Ferguson of neXtgen Agri, John Young of Farming Systems Analysis Service, Sarah Preston of SwabTec, Michael Young of Farm Optimisation Group and Amy Lockwood of neXtgen Agri.
We would use the day to listen for practical detail rather than broad claims. In particular, note how speakers connect genetics, labour, animal health, wool value and reproductive performance. The listed program also says lunch is provided and that the 2026 sires will be on display.
- Write down the traits the speaker links to farm profit.
- Ask which measurements are available before a sire decision.
- Compare the event language with your own flock priorities.
- Allow time for questions around availability, delivery and data.
The program’s three concrete routes
The first route is the Merino Tech Elite Ram Breeding Nucleus. The published description says every lamb in the nucleus is caught at birth, weighed, tagged and scored, then measured or assessed for 80 individual things before a decision is made. It also describes a focus on traits including fat, eye muscle depth, worm resistance, ewe rearing ability and weaning rate.
The second is the Merino Tech Ram Breeding Centre, identified as Marbarrup Merinotech near Kojonup. Its role is to breed rams for members and commercial clients, with rams sourced from the elite nucleus. That distinction matters: the centre is a practical supply route, while the nucleus is the data-led source behind selection.
The third is the Merino Tech selection approach. The brand describes objective measurement, visual assessment, full pedigree recording and genetic links through breeding value estimation. Its stated direction is high-profit, white-wooled, easy-care sheep, with attention to productivity and wool quality.
Semen pricing and what to confirm
The most direct published price is on the Merino Tech Poll semen catalogue page: $50 per dose for non-progeny-tested sires and $60 per dose for progeny-tested sires. The page points readers to Sheep Genetics for the current catalogue and ASBVs, so the dose price should be treated as a starting point rather than a complete order quote.
- Which sire names and current ASBVs are available?
- Is the quoted price still current for the selected sire?
- What minimum order, delivery or storage conditions apply?
- Which traits should be prioritised for your flock and environment?
For the Open Day itself, the published details give the date, venue, start times and theme, but not a ticket price. We would confirm attendance, parking, access arrangements and any changes through the event information page before setting out. The same check is sensible for the speaker timetable and 2026 sire display.
A simple visit plan
- Review the current event details and note the 9:00am AGM start.
- Bring your flock goals, recent performance notes and questions about ASBVs.
- Use the sire display to connect the breeding language with physical type and wool.
- Follow up on semen availability and pricing after the presentations.
What works
- Clear seasonal timing for a spring breeding conversation.
- A program that links measured traits to commercial flock goals.
- Published semen prices give buyers a useful first benchmark.
- A varied speaker list broadens the day beyond a simple sire viewing.
Keep in mind
- Individual sire names and full ASBVs are not listed on the event page.
- No ticket price or formal booking process is published in the details we reviewed.
- Semen availability, delivery terms and final pricing should be confirmed directly.
- The program is Australia-focused, so travel planning is part of the decision.
Our verdict
Merino Tech’s 2026 Open Day looks most useful for producers who want to connect breeding data with practical flock decisions. The combination of an elite nucleus, a ram breeding centre and a published semen route gives the day a clear commercial purpose, while the speakers add wider context.
The limitation is that the public information stops short of a full visitor pack: attendance details, individual sire availability and final order terms need confirmation. For that reason, we would treat the event as a focused information day and check the current details before making travel or breeding commitments.