WHEN people say they have a passion for the finer things in life chances are they aren't talking about wool.
However for Sam Lehmann his passion for wool was one of the driving forces behind his move to go farming.
Growing up on a 2000 hectare mixed farming enterprise just east of Cranbrook, Sam said, from an early age, farming was something he had always wanted to do.
Studying at Narrogin Agriculture College and finishing with a general agriculture course, Sam gained the necessary introduction and experience to go farming but not before some time spent away from the farm living in Perth followed by a year of travelling.
After his time away, Sam returned to Cranbrook to help run the family farm Westholme with his parents Ian and Sandy.
"Farming with my mum and dad is really good, dad is keen on the book work and spends a bit of time in the office, so I get to do a fair bit outside," Sam said.
"You work so close together for such long periods of time that you have to get along and I'm really lucky in that aspect.
"Mum and dad have been farming for such a long time so I'm learning the ropes from them.
"Dad's almost been a bit of a mentor, having been farming for 40 years and he gives me a few pointers because when you first start out you think you know most things and although I don't want to admit it to dad, you don't."
The third generation farm has been in the family for more than 60 years and runs a 25 per cent cropping, 75pc Merino sheep operation.
"We're aiming at breeding a bigger-framed sheep but still keeping the finer wool," Sam said.
"We're not just going all out on the frame, we're trying to get the best of both worlds."
With wool prices in most growers' favour at the moment, Sam said it's certainly worth growing sheep.
"Sheep work can be annoying but when you know you're getting something out of it and it's not a waste of time, it's really enjoyable," he said.
"There is certainly a lot of money in wool at the moment and although it's not an easy way of making a dollar, when things come off right, it's very rewarding.
"Producing sheep is extremely hands-on and you need to take a lot of things into account.
"We are always trying to get good lambing percentages and to be innovative and productive and seeing wool prices increasing provides a lot of encouragement."
The Lehmann's property lends itself to grazing as it is predominantly perennial country and as a result it has always had sheep on it.
Sam believes it will stay this way but still feels the need for versatility.
"You still want to be able to chop and change a bit and have some sort of security, and to some extent the ability to go where the money is," he said.
"For a while our numbers had been dwindling and we had been concentrating on the crossbreds but now we're building Merino numbers back up.
"The hope is that if one year canola prices skyrocket and we have big lines of ewes, we can drop a line easy enough to put another paddock of crop in and pick the sheep numbers back up the next year."
Aside from his passion for sheep the other thing that attracted Sam to the agricultural industry was the lifestyle that came with it.
"Being part of a rural community plays a big part," he said.
"Cranbrook is small community and everyone gets along, sure you don't go out as much as if you were in Perth, but you still have a good time."
Like most people living in smaller country towns, sport also plays a major part in Sam's life and he believes it is an absolute key.
"Living in a small town like Cranbrook unfortunately there isn't much on offer sportswise but if I drive half an hour to Mt Barker there is loads to do," he said.
"It's so important because there isn't much to do socially in Cranbrook so footy provides an outlet and offers the chance to meet a few people and enjoy myself.
"Playing football during the winter is great.
"A few years ago when things weren't going so well on the farm with a bad season, it helped get my mind off things and makes sure you're not always tied up working.
"Footy training is something I look forward to because it helps get you away from the farm for a bit."
Looking to the future, 2012 holds a lot for Sam in both farming and his personal life, as he is set to marry his fiancée Lauren Pieper who is also from a farming background near Mt Barker.
"She certainly makes farming easier," he said.
"Because of her background she really understands and realises the amount of work that goes into farming and, as great as it is living on the farm with mum, it's certainly nice to have someone else to hug!"
As far as farming goes, Sam is pretty happy with the way things are going.
"I think the future looks bright, the wool industry is looking good even though there are a few challenges ahead," he said.
"China seems to be a huge market for wool but we certainly need to keep an eye on other markets.
"If wool prices can stay where they are, compared to the last few years it will be great.
"Hopefully wool keeps moving in the right direction and that the West Coast Eagles are a dark horse for the grand final!"
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