1. News:
Revised OJD management plan
After extensive industry consultation, the Sheepmeat Council of Australia (SCA) and WoolProducers Australia (WPA) have determined that a national program for the control and prevention of ovine Johne’s disease will continue. The main feature of the revised OJD Management Plan will be a greater focus on risk management, with the onus on individual buyers and sellers understanding and managing their risk. The following are key planks of the revised plan:
-
Existing High, Medium and Low Prevalence Areas will be merged to either Control Areas or Protected Areas. Control Areas are regions where the disease is well established or is spreading. Protected Areas are areas where the occurrence of disease is low and the disease is being controlled.
-
The Sheep Health Statement and the Assurance Based Credit scheme are being reviewed.
-
Abattoir surveillance will continue.
-
Promotion of ways to manage and control OJD will continue.
For further information visit www.ojd.com.au
ABARE Australian Farm Survey Results 2009 - 10 to 2011 - 12
 For a detailed profile of the financial performance of farm businesses in the grains, livestock and dairy industries from 2009-10 to 20011-12 download the Australian Farm Survey Results (2.9 MB). Cash income for sheep farms is expected to average $113,000 for 2011-12, which is the highest recorded in real terms since 1988-89. The report also covers some long term analsyis, including an average productivity increase of 0.5% per annum for sheep farms over the last 30 years. In addition, the report demonstrates the benefit of superior business performance over time with the top 25% of broadacre farms achieving a return of 9.3% (including capital appreciation) over the last 20 years, compared to 4 % for the average broadacre farm. Research indicates that most farm businesses exhibiting high levels of financial performance relative to their peers continue to do so over the medium-term.
LambEx 2012
To attend a lamb industry event of excellence designed to unite, excite and enlighten, make sure you register for LambEx 2012. The event will bring together producers, processors, researchers, wholesalers, exporters and key service providers to celebrate all things lamb. LambEx will be held at the Bendigo Showgrounds on June 28 & 29, 2012. For details go to www.lambex.com.au/.
2. R & D Update:
Using electronic ID in sheep breeding and management
Electronic Identification of sheep has applications within both commercial and stud sheep operations. Within commercial sheep enterprises eID introduces an entirely new level of management precision based on individual animals. For the stud breeder, performance recording using eID enables the collection of vast amounts of data more accurately and more efficiently. For more detail on the application of eID systems and training opportunities, click here to read an article by Ben Watts from TAFE Western.
3. In Brief:
Fertilizer test strips
The two key questions regarding fertilizer use in pastures are: which fertilizers should I use and what rate should they be applied at? For the macro-nutrients Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K) and Sulphur (S) there is no substitute for laboratory soil tests when it comes to assessing likely responsiveness and the appropriate rate to use. However, soil tests are not so useful for nitrogen (N), trace elements such as Molybdenum (Mo), or soil conditioners such as gypsum. This is where fertilizer test strips can help. Now is a good time to put test strips down in winter rainfall areas, to look at response to nitrogen and for assessing impact of other nurients on the spring flush.
For information on the design, implementation and assessment of test strips see tool 7.2 in the Making More From Sheepmanual.
Pasture assessment
When making decisions on priority paddocks for pasture renovation, or likely responsiveness to fertilizer, it helps to have objective information on pasture composition. A simple pointed stick, thrown randomly a minimum of twenty times across a paddock can provide reliable data on different pasture components. After each throw, identify and record the pasture species or species group that is touching or immediately below the point of the stick, then calculate this as a percentage frequency. Normal groups recorded are perennial grasses, legumes, annual grasses, weeds and bare ground. see Tool 7.6 in the Making More From Sheep manual for a range of pasture assessment techniques.
4. Coming Events
Making More From Sheep runs a range of events mostly aimed at small groups/audiences of sheep producers looking to improve skills and knowledge on a topic of local interest. State Coordinators are available to organise events and presenters to suit local needs and are keen to work with groups, facilitators or service providers for single events or a series of activities. For further information contact your State Coordinator.
Examples of coming events include:
Bredwell Fedwell, June 18, Winton, Qld
Bredwell Fedwell, June 19, Muttaburra, Qld
Bredwell Fedwell, June 20, Blackall, Qld
Market more lambs without more ewes, June 25, Naracoorte, SA
See the Making More From Sheep events page on the website for more details.
Also,check out the AWI website for the coming AWI Wool Clip events at http://www.wool.com/Media-Releases.htm?item=8849.htm
|
