Issues, news and tips for sheep producers:
New Pastoral Module added to MMFS website
MMFS has launched a new module, consolidating the relevant information for running successful wool and sheepmeat enterprises in the pastoral areas of Australia. The module, 'Efficient Pastoral Production' was developed by a team of technical experts and sheep producers regarded as industry leaders and addresses pastoral zone specific issues not covered in the otherMMFS modules.
The module contains seven procedures focusing on critical "must do' activities as well as providing tools to assist and signposts to further information. The seven procedures in the module are:
- know your property
- establish a vision and plan for success
- efficient pastoral production
- determine a grazing management approach
- match grazing pressure to feed supply
- manage feral animals
- obtain best production from rainfall received
Market focused lamb and sheepmeat production event
 A recent workshop organised for the Reedy Creek Mid SE Irrigators group by MMFS and Sheep Connect SA focused on pre-slaughter management of lambs for optimal meat yield and eating quality. The day commenced with a tour of the JBS processing plant at Bordertown followed by a presentation from Mark Inglis of JBS on what various markets are looking for in lambs, the JBS assurance program and strengthening alliances between processors and producers.Presentations were also given by Dr Janelle Hocking Edwards of SARDI on pre-slaughter management and Dr Domenic Dell'osa from Bayer on mineral deficiencies and other sheep health issues.
Photo: Workshop participants at JBS Bordertown.
LambEx 2016
Australia's premier lamb trade show and conference, LambEx 2016 will be held in Albury from 10 - 12 August. As well as a packed conference program featuring leading producers and industry experts, LambEx will include field tours, demonstrations, competitions and trade displays. Check out the LambEx website for the tour details, conference program and registration information.
Paraboss updates
Outlooks and recommendations for worm management have recently been updated on the Paraboss website. For full reports on each state click here.
Simple feed budgets
Matching feed supply to animal demand is essential to achieve production targets and optimise pasture utilisation. While the use of a computer is required for whole-of-farm feed demand calculations (Tool 8.3), simple short-term feed budgets can be calculated manually on a paddock by paddock basis. These can be used to provide answers to questions like “how many ewes can be lambed down in a particular paddock”? The Making More From Sheep Feed Budgeting Template (Tool 8.4) shows some examples of how this can be done using estimated pasture growth rates, estimated animal intake, current feed availability and paddock size.
Outlook conference presentations
The 2016 ABARES outlook conference was held in March with the theme of "Investing in Agriculture - growing our future". Many well regarded industry commentators and producers gave presentations on a diverse range of topics including farm performance, using data for decision making, value creation through supply chains, adapting to a variable climate and future-proofing your flock. A copy of the program including videos of the presentations can be viewed by clicking here.
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 help 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:
- Farm safety starter workshop, Minlaton, 14 June and Clare, 15 June.
- Business EDGE for grazing businesses, Launceston, 15 and 16 June
- Bredwell Fedwell, Peak Hill, 7 July and Canowindra, 8 July.
See the Making More From Sheep events page on the website for more details.
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