Tarrangower Merinos owned by David and Angie Waters have been recognised for their exceptional merino wool, awarded first place in the Ermenegildo Zegna Superfine Wool Trophy competition.

The couple added to their sheep numbers when Mrs Waters parents left the industry in 2005.

“We have genetics that you just can’t go and buy, we’re both fifth and sixth generational growers and these genetics have taken generations of breeding,” Mrs Waters said.

“You couldn’t go to someone’s place and buy what we have.”

In the Ermenegildo Zegna competition, growers were able to enter up to five bales for a maximum of five points.

Tarrangower Merinos entered one bale, received zero points and still took out first place in the competition – a nod to the quality of their wool.

Mr Waters said recognising quality is a skill that’s honed after years in the industry.

“You get an eye for it, you look for length, colour, softness, the style, it’s how well you can see the crimp and how fine the crimp is,” he said.

“It’s all in the breeding basically, you’ve got to have the right sheep to start with.

“You’ve got to have an eye for quality and concentrate on that for quite some time to produce the article that’s necessary.”

The pair have more than 2000 sheep and believe that wool quality and management of land go hand in hand.

At Tarrangower the land is kept free of weeds and the yards watered to minimise dust in the clip.

Mrs Waters said the New England region is recognised as a premium fine wool growing area.

“Emernegildo Zegna is really exclusive, quite possibly the best,” she said.

“They produce for Tom Ford, Gucci, they are the pinnacle.

“From this our brand becomes more respected, more well-regarded.”

The pair dream of expanding their operation and hope to one day deal directly with the mills.