Making More From Sheep Email Update No. 1

Welcome to the first e-newsletter from Making More From Sheep. The purpose of this newsletter is to keep subscribers informed about any changes or additions to the manual, highlight how sheep producers are involved with the Making More From Sheep program and keep you up-to-date with coming events. This e-newsletter will be sent out about four times a year and welcomes feedback or comments. Making More From Sheep is a joint initiative of Australian Wool Innovation and Meat & Livestock Australia.

1. News: What sheep producers think of Making More From Sheep 
Eight sheep producers from across Australia have shared their thoughts on how the Making More From Sheep - a sheep producers manual applies to their business in a facilitated panel discussion which is webcast on the Elders website (livestock.elders.com.au). 
The sheep producers featured include: 
• Greg and Jane Kellock, Farrell Flat, mid-north South Australia 
• Don Perkins, Dirranbandi, south-west Queensland 
• Matt Dunbabin, Bangor, south-east Tasmania 
• Ben Ryan, Delamere, Fleurieu Peninsula South Australia 
• Alison Tancred, Gulargambone, central-west New South Wales 
• Andrew Dufty, Melville Forest, south-west Victoria 
• Geoff Sandilands, Kendenup, south-coast Western Australia 

The webcast takes 26 minutes to view and requires a broadband internet connection, but if you don't have time to watch all of it, check out the section that most appeals to you:
- How it can benefit your business
- Producer experience
- What's in it for me 
As well as the webcast, you can read about how these sheep producers are using the manual in the case studiessection of the Making More From Sheep website.

2. R & D update: Modified energy requirements for sheep
Achieving appropriate nutrition throughout the year is the cornerstone of efficient livestock production. Sheep maintained in adequate body condition will achieve production targets and be healthier. The right body condition for sheep will vary with the type of enterprise, class of sheep and time of year. Knowing the feed requirements of different livestock classes and being able to monitor sheep condition are important in making decisions about feed demand, while pasture assessment skills are important in assessing feed supply. 
The energy requirements given in the Making More from Sheep Manual on page 16 of Module 11 are based on work published in 1977 and have been widely used in Prograze™. Other estimates, published in the Ruminant Standards of Australia, are used in Grazfeed® and other feed budgeting tools and are now more generally accepted. These updated estimates are generally higher than in earlier reports and are shown in the table below. 
Remember ewes carrying twins in late pregnancy and in lactation have a 15% higher requirement than single bearing ewes.