- New BOM weather app
- Debunking the myth of wool allergy
- Foot-and-Mouth Disease online awareness course
- Sheep enterprises improve – updated gross margins
- Upcoming events
- eBulletins
1. New BOM weather app
Australia’s most trusted weather website has gone mobile, with the launch of the new Bureau of Meteorology mobile weather website, making it easier and quicker for you to check Australia’s official weather forecasts, wherever you are.
In this app, you’ll see the current temperature, the day’s forecast, overnight temperature, the chance of rain throughout the day, detailed 24-hour forecasts, forecast for the rest of the week, their popular rain radar, and weather warnings.
Click here for more information, including a short video overview.
Click here to get the app which is available on the App Store for iPhone and Google Play for Android.
2. Debunking the myth of wool allergy
A high-powered group of medical professionals from across the world have reviewed research papers published during the past 100 years to critically assess scientific studies claiming wool causes allergy. This new analysis found no evidence that wool is an allergen, and if a fabric does cause any sensations of itch and prickle on the skin then it is because of the large diameter of the fibres and not due to the fibre type being wool.
3. Foot-and-Mouth Disease online awareness course
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an exotic disease that does not occur in Australia. It affects cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, deer, camelids, buffalo and elephants.
An online awareness course has been developed to help people understand:
- the risks of FMD to Australia
- what can be done to help prevent the virus reaching and infecting susceptible livestock
- the possible clinical signs of FMD to look out for
- what to do if the disease is suspected.
The course is relevant to anyone who works with livestock as well as the whole community.
Under Queensland legislation, if you suspect the presence of this disease in any species of animal, you must report it to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or contact the Emergency Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Click here to enrol in the course.
An overview of the course can easily be completed in 30 minutes, however there is the option to delve deeper into additional information.
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4. Sheep enterprises improve – updated gross margins
A report by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) on sheep enterprise gross margins has delivered good news with gains across the industry. DPI sheep development officer, Geoff Casburn, said all breeding enterprises were performing well with high wool and sheepmeat values and demand for breeding ewes supporting strong performances across the board.
Of the 10 sheep enterprises analysed the highest gross margins were:
- $38.45 per DSE (Dry Sheep Equivalent) for the 20 micron Merino self-replacing enterprise selling trade Merino wether lambs
- $38.17 per DSE for the enterprise joining 20 micron ewes to maternal rams.
Click here for the full report.
Click here to access the full sheep gross margin details.
5. Upcoming events
21 December, Opportunities for Grain Finishing in your Merino Enterprise, Webinar. To register click here.
9-12 January 2017, Food, Fibre and Agricultural Educators Conference, Brisbane. To find out more or to register click here.
Late January to March 2017 NRM Spatial Hub Training, locations to be advised. To find out more contact Darren Jennings at South West NRM on 0428 220 136 or email darren.jennings@swnrm.org.au.
February (dates to be confirmed) Animal Trapping Accreditation Course, locations to be advised. To find out more contact Darren Jennings at South West NRM on 0428 220 136 or email darren.jennings@swnrm.org.au.
February (dates to be confirmed) Flood Fencing field day, ‘Glentuckie’, Cunnamulla. To find out more contact Darren Jennings at South West NRM on 0428 220 136 or email darren.jennings@swnrm.org.au.
3 February 2017, Grazing Fundamentals workshop, Chinchilla. To find out more or to register click here.
7 February 2017, Grazing Fundamentals workshop, Dalby. To find out more or to register click here.
16-17 February 2017, Business Edge workshop, Brisbane. To find out more or to register click here.
21 February 2017, Grazing Fundamentals workshop, Winton. To find out more or to register click here.
22 February 2017, Grazing Fundamentals workshop, Longreach. To find out more or to register click here.
23-25 February 2017, RCS Pasture to Pocket, Charleville. To find out more contact Darren Jennings at South West NRM on 0428 220 136 or email darren.jennings@swnrm.org.au.
27 February 2017, RCS Pasture to Pocket, Tambo. To find out more contact Darren Jennings at South West NRM on 0428 220 136 or email darren.jennings@swnrm.org.au.
27-28 February 2017, Business Edge workshop, Blackall. To find out more or to register click here.
9 March 2017, Central West sheep forum and dinner, Longreach. To find out more contact Alex Stirton, DAF, 07 4654 4212 or alex.stirton@daf.qld.gov.au.
16-17 March 2017, Agribusiness CEO Mentoring program, Brisbane. To find out more click here.
6. eBulletins
Beyond the Bale – December 2016
AWI Woolgrowers’ newsletter – November 2016
Sheep CRC News – November 2016
Sheep Central – 14 December 2016
Invasive Animals CRC Feral Flyer – December 2016
National Wild Dog Action Plan Communique 22 – December 2016
ParaBoss News November 2016 – State Outlooks