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
Being willing to adopt new technology and utilise effective, information networks will be key to the future success of the state’s sheep and wool industry according to one of Western Queensland’s younger producers. Jesse Moody works alongside his parents, running Abbadoah and Yarmouth, with the properties making up around 56,000 hectares of mulga and Mitchell … Read more
A Blackall sheep and wool producer says introducing a pregnancy-scanning program can improve flock fertility by 10 to 15 per cent within a 12-month period, as well as allow producers to fine-tune ewe management. Ben Banks and his wife Oona manage the 46,500 hectare family property, Rivington, west of Blackall, where they run 25,000 Merinos … Read more
There are a number of sheep pregnancy scanners that operate in and/or service Queensland including: Damo’s Preg Testing – Damien Pollett (Tweed Heads), 0447 049 057, dmpollett@bigpond.com Mike Rival (Goondiwindi), 07 4671 2203, mikerival@bigpond.com Ben Banks (Blackall), 0429 799 807 or 07 4657 5959, rivington.banks@bigpond.com Bruce Toms (Stanthorpe), 0418 518 508 or 07 4685 6075, … Read more
Western Queensland sheep and wool producer Jim King believes the erection of exclusion fences to reduce wild dog pressure is one of the most positive moves his industry has seen in more than a decade. The Longreach property owner said the fences had given the sector a much-needed shot of confidence, prompting some producers to … Read more
Queensland sheep and wool producers have been advised they need to get the right ewes, on the right feed, to successfully raise lambing and weaning rates as the State’s flock rebuilding starts in earnest. Sheep and wool advisor Geoff Duddy from Sheep Solutions is a consultant that has shared his expertise at Leading Sheep webinars … Read more
Buying a better performing ram could earn producers greater annual returns and equate to significant gains in overall enterprise income, according to a sheep and wool adviser. Geoff Duddy from Sheep Solutions has been a guest presenter at Leading Sheep workshops in south western Queensland this year, advising on management strategies to minimise supplementary feeding, … Read more
Queensland producers opting to grain feed lambs should ‘lock in grain supplies and set up forward contracts’ to minimise risk and increase returns, according to a sheep and wool adviser, Geoff Duddy. He said high store lamb prices had made feedlotting ‘reasonably risky’ but there were margins for producers who did their planning and preparation. … Read more
Innovative development and connecting people are key to the future of the Queensland sheep and wool industry, according to producer Pru Barkla. Mrs Barkla and her husband Stuart, run two properties, Mt Molar at Clifton on the Darling Downs and Rosscoe Downs at Cunnamulla and she is one of the newest members of Queensland’s Leading … Read more
This fact sheet, written by Jason Trompf, highlights the following key points for turning reproductive potential into reality and improving lamb survival: target lamb survival rates factors contributing to and ultimate causes of lamb loss critical success factors for lamb survival including: proactive management of ewe condition score tight and effective joining lengths of six … Read more