- Climate outlooks – monthly and seasonal
- What drives rainfall in Queensland?
- Managing stocking rates is a juggling act
- Production Pointers Part 1: Gross Margins
- Australian Dam Desilting Rebate
- Upcoming Leading Sheep events
- Upcoming events
- eBulletins
1. Climate outlooks – monthly and seasonal
The chance of May to July rainfall being above median is close to 50% across the country, meaning there is no indication for the coming three months towards significantly wetter or drier than average. So while the forecast isn’t thrilling, now is a really great time to look at what feed you have on hand. Across Queensland, the end of April is a rough benchmark for the end of the growing season. This is because temperatures are usually low enough that rainfall won’t result in the bulk feed growth that can be expected with summer rain. So it’s a good time to plan based on what you have now, through until the next growing season.
If you are interested in seeing how your area is set to perform in the next three months or where rain events are forecast, click here.
2. What drives rainfall in Queensland?
Predicting rainfall and good seasons throughout Queensland has historically proven to be difficult. The variability of the Queensland climate sees extended dry periods, extended wet periods and everything in between. There is no clear long term trend in annual or seasonal mean rainfall. But what actually drives this variability? Can we better predict future seasons?
Many factors influence Queensland’s rainfall – monsoon systems, Pacific Ocean temperatures and even precipitation. To access all this information, click here.
3. Managing stocking rates is a juggling act
A Central Queensland producer has shared his knowledge and experience about how to manage stocking rates.
How do they make decisions to take advantage of the good years while still being able to survive the tough years? For this producer the answer lies in accurate records, improvements and monitoring change.
To see the details of this case study click here.
4. Production Pointers Part 1: Gross Margins
Over the next seven months, Leading Sheep will bring you information on a number of tools that can be used to make decisions on all aspects of sheep production. Part 1 is about calculating gross margins of sheep production in Queensland.
Calculating your profit, and costs of production, can prove to be a difficult task. The difficulty lies in the ever changing season and as a result, changing procedures and expenditures. This excel spread sheet provides producers with an easy to use tool – after plugging in your outlay and income, it will give you a gross margin for your enterprise. Just like you need a shovel to efficiently dig a hole, in order to run a profitable and economic business, the right financial tools are required. Click here to use this free recourse to help you understand where you are with your production.
5. Australian Dam Desilting Rebate
The Dam Desilting Rebate provides a 25 per cent rebate on the cost of a private contractor to desilt your dam. It is available for drought-declared properties and up to a maximum amount of $25,000 per property.
Click here for more information.
6. Upcoming Leading Sheep events
10-11 May State Sheep Show, Roma. Will be attended by Leading Sheep representatives.
31 July Sheep Technology Field Day, Goondiwindi. Save the date.
7. Upcoming events
6 May Labour Day, Public Holiday
15 May Yarn at the Yards, Surat by SQNRM. For more information and to register click here.
17 May Bush Tech Roadshow, Condamine by Direct Injection Technologies. For more information and to register click here.
21-23 May Feed or Sell this Dry Season, Cunnamulla, Quilpie, Mitchell by SQNRM. For more information and to register click here.
22 May Cyclone Trevor One-stop-shop flood recovery, Barcaldine. For more information and to register contact Vol Noris norrisv@agforceqld.org.au
23 May Cyclone Trevor One-stop-shop flood recovery, Blackall. For more information and to register contact Vol Noris norrisv@agforceqld.org.au
24 May Cyclone Trevor One-stop-shop flood recovery, Tambo. For more information and to register contact Vol Noris norrisv@agforceqld.org.au
27 May Cyclone Trevor One-stop-shop flood recovery, Boulia. For more information and to register contact Vol Noris norrisv@agforceqld.org.au
29 May Cyclone Trevor One-stop-shop flood recovery, Jundah. For more information and to register contact Vol Noris norrisv@agforceqld.org.au
29-31 May Better Business Solutions, Mitchell, Injune & Surat by Connect Ag. For more information and to register click here.
10-12 June Nutrition EDGE, Taroom by Desiree Jackson. For more information and to register click here.
11-12 June Business EDGE, Longreach by Bush Agribusiness. For more information and to register click here.
16-18 June Nutrition EGDE, Boulia by Desiree Jackson. For more information and to register click here.