Around the Camp: Licks, worms, wool worth, 5km weather forecast

  1. To lick or not to lick, that is the question
  2. Worm heaven?
  3. What is your wool worth and why?
  4. 5km weather forecasts
  5. Upcoming Leading Sheep events
  6. Upcoming events
  7. eBulletins and podcasts

To lick or not to lick, that is the question

If you’ve missed the summer showers of rain, you probably have a large body of dry summer feed that is heading to seed and drying out fast in the hot summer weather. As a result, you might be asking “Which lick?”

Licks work really well in cattle to increase dry feed consumption by firing up the rumen bugs and getting them to work a bit harder for us, getting more out of the feed as a result. We don’t seem to get the same impressive response to urea-based licks in sheep. This is thought to be because sheep are highly discriminant grazers. Sheep can get their tiny, mobile mouths into grass butts and low to the ground to eat the tastiest green shoots available. They are already introducing simple sugars and protein to their rumen using their grazing behaviour that cattle cannot, hence we don’t get the same production response using a urea-based lick in sheep.

For this reason, you may be better off to concentrate on supplying additional nutrients to the sheep using grains and supply minerals only via the lick (e.g. calcium or phosphorus and sodium). Read more about what to consider if you’re thinking about supplementing here.

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Worm heaven?

Barbers Pole worms are not normally a problem in many areas of western Queensland, but they may be this year. Why? Because of the ongoing above normal rain following the last two or so years where worm numbers have increased.  Regular Worm Egg Counting is by far your best friend to not get caught out. Production losses occur before clinical signs or deaths are seen. WormBoss has an easy to access list of accredited testing facilities.  www.wormboss.com.au

Grazing Futures and Leading Sheep are hosting two on-property days at Mitchell and Augathella 27 and 28 March for you to find out more and to achieve effective worm control with minimum drenching. Sheep, goats, and cattle will be discussed. The days are very popular, seats are limited, and discussion will be mainly based on your questions and answers. For more information contact Eli SilvonenWalsh on 0436 919 150 or eli.silvonenwalsh@daf.qld.gov.au

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What is your wool worth and why?

Do you as a wool producer know what your wool is worth? Do you know what discounts and premiums are being applied when you sell? Leading Sheep is looking to host a webinar where AWI’s wool valuation tool Ready Reckoner will be discussed. Issues identified include:

  • Why you should value your wool before sale,
  • How to use Ready Reckoner,
  • Why are there always going to be differences between brokers appraisal, Ready Reckoner and sale price in auction room or with computer-based selling.

Leading Sheep are gauging interest in participating in the webinar and looking for other issues that should be explored. To register your interest or issues contact: eli.silvonenwalsh@daf.qld.gov.au

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5km weather forecasts

Did you know you can get rain forecasts downscaled to within 5km of your property with Ag360 for free, and that’s just scratching the surface. It’s one of many tools that can also support mob and paddock management, treatment records, stock records and productivity targets. Have a look at Ag360 here or go to agtechfinder to have a look at what other great tools are out there to streamline and support your business records and decision making.

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Upcoming Leading Sheep events

  • 27 March. Interactive worm workshop, Mitchell. Click here for more information.
  • 28 March. Interactive worm workshop, Augathella. Click here for more information.
  • 31st March. Forum – Flirting with Flock Fertility, Longreach. 

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Upcoming events

  • 1 March. Building farm business resilience, Inglewood. Delivered by DAF. For more information and to register, click here.
  • 4-6 March. Working Dog and Livestock Handling, Dunkeld. Delivered by Precision Working Dogs. Click here for more information.
  • 8 March. Toxic Plants, Pimelea, Pests, AgCarE, Toompine. Delivered by AgForce. Click here for more information.
  • 9-10 March. Mac Ag Agribusiness Summit, Goondiwindi. Delivered by Macintyre Ag Alliance. Click here for more information.
  • 10 March. Toxic Plants, Pimelea, Pests, AgCarE, Bollon. Delivered by AgForce. Click here for more information.
  • 15 March. Weaning for performance, Longreach. Delivered by Nutrien. Click here for more information.
  • 15 March. What’s your plan? Dunkeld. Delivered by Grazing Futures Livestock Business Resilience. Click here for more information.
  • 16 March. What’s your plan? Bymount. Delivered by Grazing Futures Livestock Business Resilience. Click here for more information.
  • 20-24 March. AWI Shearing and Wool Handling School – Novice, Tambo. Delivered by Australian Wool Innovation. Click here for more information and to register.
  • 20-21 March. Business EDGE, Roma. Delivered by Bush Agribusiness. Click here for more information and to register.
  • 23-24 March. Business EDGE, St George. Delivered by Bush Agribusiness. Click here for more information and to register.

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Podcast, eBulletin and Surveys

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