For each of the last four months, Leading Sheep has circulated an email summarising what Queensland sheep producers have learnt from the drought and asking for feedback. Some of these responses are below: David and Sandy Bartlett ‘Dunblane’ Gore: Not to be an eternal optimist and pull the trigger to feedlot or sell … Read more
The drought – much has been learnt already – November 2019. For the last three months, Leading Sheep has circulated an e-mail each month summarising what Queensland sheep producers have learnt from the drought and asking for your feedback. We invited you to send in your learnings and ideas to your local Leading Sheep Coordinator. … Read more
Valuable lessons have been learnt through the current drought. While one drought will never be the same as the last, Leading Sheep felt we should collate these great learnings whilst they are still fresh in your minds. Noel O’Dempsey, the South Regional Coordinator, will ‘kick the ball off’ by listing what he thinks are his … Read more
Here are some points to consider when restocking with sheep. KEY TOOLS: Always ask for a copy of the National Sheep Health Declaration from the vendor. The Declaration enables livestock buyers to assess the risk for Ovine Johne’s disease and a range of other biosecurity issues, including footrot, lice and ovine brucellosis. It recognises vaccination history and flock testing … Read more
Rains in March and April have initiated variable pasture response for many producers throughout Queensland. In some areas the rapid growth of green feed after these rain events has brought associated risks. Issues are occurring predominantly in flocks introduced to the area from other pasture types or drought affected areas. This includes stock that have … Read more
Leading Sheep organised a series of workshops focussing on the practical uses of electronic identification (EID) ear tags in sheep. These workshops were held at Longreach, Cunnamulla and Goondiwindi and focused on topics most relevant to each region. Due to a wide variety of factors, such as the practical and useful nature of the information collected, it was … Read more
Queensland’s sheep and wool producers are hailing an innovative program that is helping them to improve their businesses’ productivity. Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) Senior Extension Officer and Leading Sheep Manager Nicole Sallur said feedback received from producers about the Leading Sheep program was incredibly positive. “Currently, 75 per cent of Queensland’s sheep and … Read more
Queensland’s sheep and wool producers are being urged to prepare their flocks for autumn joining. Industry consultant Geoff Duddy, from Sheep Solutions, said preparing the flock was critical for effective results and involved a lot more than simply opening the gate to let the rams in with the ewes. “Ideally producers should be checking their … Read more
Wool producer Donald Truss has erected more than 100km of exclusion fencing on his property in an effort to minimise the devastating impact of wild dogs. Now he wants to share his experience and encourage others to take action. Mr Truss, from south of Quilpie, is the newest member of the Leading Sheep South West … Read more
Sheep and wool producers have been advised to be proactive when weighing up the merits of exclusion fencing and ‘don’t wait until lambing percentages are down before taking action’. Blackall wool grower Ben Banks has warned western Queensland producers delaying fencing could put them in a position where it was difficult to financially justify the … Read more