In February 2025, Tom travelled to South Africa as part of his Nuffield Scholarship, awarded in 2020 and proudly supported by AWI. His journey took him to the Karoo – a semi-arid landscape strikingly similar to East Loddon. Like us, many farmers there run sheep, making it the perfect place to explore how regenerative agriculture can be applied in comparable, low-rainfall conditions.

Few people leave behind a legacy that reshapes an entire industry. Dr Jim Watts was one of them. His vision, courage, and scientific brilliance transformed Merino breeding, creating a ripple effect that continues to shape the wool industry today – from animal welfare to fibre quality, from sustainability to global reputation.

At East Loddon, we’ve always believed that growing the best wool isn’t just about what happens in the paddock – it’s also about how we secure its value for the future. That’s why we work closely with ZQrx, a program that not only champions the highest standards of quality, animal welfare, and sustainability, but also gives growers like us the ability to access forward contracts.