MerinoLink was established in 2011 and has been formally operating since March 2013.
We facilitate networks, innovation, technology, genetic opportunities and research to improve the production and profitability of Merinos around Australia. The education, information and research conducted by MerinoLink are primarily focused on being commercially focused.
MerinoLink’s founding members are from a wide range of sheep businesses with varying production systems. The Members have been brought together by a common enthusiasm for profitable Merino sheep and a desire to continue to build their businesses, client businesses and the sheep industries profitability as a whole.
MerinoLink is committed to assisting our members make better use of past and current research. In addition, MerinoLink aims to build networks and add value to existing and future research and development.
MerinoLink recognise the opportunities to work together to develop research projects for the future improvement of the Australian sheep industry.
We aim to provide all members with access to industry organisations and facilitate a two way dissemination of information.
MerinoLink consist of producers and service providers moving our industry and members forward as fast and effectively as possible. This is made possible by MerinoLink’s engagement with members and industry, education of members, exploration of research ideas and exchange of the results.
Board Directors
Jess Rickard (Chair, Researcher)
Callum Moody (Commercial Breeder)
Sam Neville (Commercial Breeder / Producer)
Hannah Schulz (Veterinarian)
Emma Grabham (Commercial Producer / Extension Practitioner)
Board Director Profiles
Dr Jess Rickard (MerinoLink Chair), Sydney
Jess has a Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience (Hons I) and a PhD from the University of Sydney. She has over 13 years’ experience working in animal reproduction and sheep R&D, working on a variety of projects related to improving the success of artificial reproductive technologies within the sheep industry. She is currently the McCaughey Senior Research Fellow at the University of Sydney, leading a research team investigating factors affecting the success of artificial insemination in sheep as well as the impact of semen freezing on cervical insemination. She has been serving the Merino link board since November 2021 and is passionate about working with academia and industry. She hopes to continue to use innovative multidisciplinary approaches and translating findings to the paddock in order to address challenges faced by growers.
Callum Moody, Armidale
A 4th generation woolgrower originally from Cunnamulla, Callum currently works for the CSIRO as a Research Support Manager at Chiswick Station, Armidale. In addition to commercial and research management experience, he also ran operations for the Grass Merinos ram stud for four years. Callum completed a Graduate Diploma (Animal production and Genetics) at UNE last year and has a passion for sheep and precision livestock management. He hopes to bring fresh ideas as MerinoLink’s newest board member.
Sam Neville, Ballarat
Hannah Schultz, Orange
Emma Grabham, Bathurst
Check back for updates on other directors’ information.