| Young producers confidence in future for sheep |
New lice detection dest - How it might be used
Click here to download the ‘Detailed Information Sheet’ and the ‘Sample Information Form’ that are inside the Sheep Lice Detection Test kits. Click here to also download a powerpoint presentation that provides details of the new ELISA test.
The ‘Sample Information Form’ has the information we need to process samples and to repo.... |  |
Secrets to weaning more lambs
Queensland sheep producers have learned how to significantly increase their flock numbers by better management of pregnant ewes at a series of reproduction workshops.
Chris Shands presented the latest information from an Australian Sheep CRC project Wean More Lambs at workshops in Goondiwindi, Dirranbandi and Cunnamulla from April 27 to 29.
The Making More From Sheep events were delivered th.... |  |
Making more dollars from Merinos
Genetically improved Merinos are delivering more income from wool and meat at less cost for progressive Queensland producers.
The experience of two breeders who have focused on selecting highly productive dual purpose sheep was outlined at open days on their properties last week.
Mark Murphy of Karbullah, Goondiwindi and Peter Campbell, Wyambeh, Roma have made rapid genetic gains with their .... |  |
DNA test for sheep parasites
A world leading DNA test for parasite resistance in sheep was introduced to Queensland producers last week.
Development of the WormSTAR test from a decade of research in New Zealand was outlined at an open day at Wyambeh, south of Roma on February 13.
The test was commercialised by Catapult Genetics which pioneered sheep DNA research in parallel with work on cattle by Brisbane-based Genetic .... |  |
Predator Control Field Days: Wean More Lambs & Calves
The three Predator Control Days were organized as a direct result of the widespread losses of both sheep and cattle in the north and central west regions and the interest being demonstrated for guard animals such as Alpacas and Maremmas as alternative methods of protection. A large number of sheep and wool growers are leaving the industry due to severe losses of up to 30 -40% lambs and even highe.... |  |
Sheep producers need to be vigilant against disease
Sheep producers are the front line defence in the battle to keep Ovine Johne’s Disease (OJD) from spreading into Queensland.
This was the message from Biosecurity Queensland experts in an industry webinar program broadcast on October 16. The internet technology is now regularly used as a means of communicating through the Leading Sheep producer network.
Senior livestock inspector Peter Fraze.... |
Committed to a future for wool
After a career as a sheep scientist and adviser, Noel O’Dempsey is relishing the challenge of practising what he preached.
Drought survival strategies have been the priority since he purchased the Traprock property “Linallie” south of Texas in 2000.
Now enjoying his best spring after recent good rains, Mr O’Dempsey is confident there is a future for wool for committed sheep producers.
“Wh.... |  |
Keeping problem weeds under control
Good management and planning are the key to controlling problem weeds in pastures.
This was the take home message from a weed control day organised by the South East Leading Sheep Committee at Millmerran on August 12.
The day was supported by Millmerran Landcare and Toowoomba regional council.
Two highly credentialed speakers left participants well satisfied with the knowledge imparted on.... |  |
Ram selection can boost bottom line
When selecting rams, it pays to do your homework.
This was a key take home message from a successful sheep genetics workshop held at Cunnamulla on July 9.
Leading Sheep south west region co-ordinator Kylie Rutledge said producers were keen to optimise their ram selection as a key driver of flock profitability.
“The presentation by sheep breeding specialist Allan Casey from New South Wales.... |  |
| Leading Sheep a conduit for productivity gains |
| Twin approach to assist wild dog control |
| Rural Sector lags on carbon trading |
Leading Sheep provides professional skills for producers
Leading the way for a more profitable Queensland sheep and wool industry through new technologies, knowledge and skills has been the mission of the Leading Sheep project during the past few years.
While many Leading Sheep activities have focused on conventional information gathering opportunities, about 30 producers recently invested in their personal and professional development by undert.... |  |
| Leading Sheep secures further funding |
Youth see bright future for Queensland sheep and wool industry
An overwhelmingly positive attitude towards the sheep and wool industry has emerged from a Leading Sheep Central West committee survey of young people in the industry, with more than 80 percent of those surveyed saying it was great to live in small towns and communities.
Department of Primary Industries extension officer Ian McConnel said the survey was developed by a Central West youth co.... |  |
Minimising chemical residues in managing sheep parasites
Developing market requirements for producing low residue wool and the latest best-practice principles for identifying and treating external parasites in sheep were key topics at a recent field day for sheep producers at Rosebank Research Station, Longreach.
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) industry development officer Guy Newell told woolgrowers that European markets.... |  |
Selecting sheep for worm resistance helps fine-tune production
Commercial sheep producers should seek information about worm resistance and egg counts when selecting rams, said Leading Sheep South East committee member and stud principal Mark Murphy from “Karbullah” at Goondiwindi.
Speaking at a Leading Sheep field day at “Karbullah” last week, Mr Murphy said worm resistance was an easy-to-use selection tool that producers in the normally wetter are.... |  |
| Tracks and Traps e-book – a guide for contributors |
| Queensland producers explore organic wool options |
| Sire evaluation site to benchmark rams in the semi-arid zone |
| Drought-lotting day signals need for caution on bottom-line |
| Leading Sheep supports organic wool delegates |
| Increasing sheep industry productivity using new technologies |
Precision Sheep Production improves profitability
Precision Sheep Production improves profitability
About 20 percent of sheep in any flock are not great contributors to enterprise profitability, while another 20 percent have a higher requirement for management inputs such as drenching or nutrition than the rest of the flock, according to Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) extension officer Guy Newell.
Mr Newell said thes.... |  |
Wild dog and predator forum at Winton outlines options for future action
Future opportunities
• Research the options associated with the implementation of a Queensland statewide strategic wild dog management system (based on the Western Australian model?)
• Nil tenure approach to regional (and state?) management planning. Take all boundaries off the map (private and public) this gives the opportunity to identify passage and high wild-dog activity areas.
• New dry .... |  |
| Exciting opportunity for building Queensland wool industry leaders |
| Sheep producers explore alternative marketing in teleworkshop series |
| Leading Sheep completes Drought Survival Stories e-book series |
| Leading Sheep workshop explores drought-lotting |
Workshop plans strategic approach on Queensland wool’s advantages
The Queensland sheep and wool industry is well placed to trade on its strengths as a sustainable producer of merino wool grown in an eco-friendly pastoral way, says industry consultant Robert Wallace.
Mr Wallace told central and southern Queensland producers at a recent Leading Sheep supply chain workshop that they were in a unique position, as a relatively small wool-producing state with .... |  |
| Producers learning about the influences of climate change |
| Setting up a wool supply chain is on offer via Leading Sheep |
| Wild dog and predator control network set for central west Queensland |
Producers gain access to best wool-chain intelligence
The best intelligence on setting up wool marketing chains from fleece on-farm through to fibre end-users will be on offer for Queensland producers at a Developing Wool Supply Chains workshop on Wednesday 28 February at St George.
Australia’s leading wool chain expert and wool marketing consultant Robert Wallace is being brought to Queensland by the Leading Sheep Southern Inland regional committ.... |
Survey shows producers active with Leading Sheep activities
Two-thirds of Queensland sheep producers are engaging with the Leading Sheep network, according to a telephone survey conducted late last year on a representative sample of the state’s sheep and wool producers.
The Management Practice Change Survey poll found that 67 percent of sheep and wool producers surveyed had attended a Leading Sheep activity or received information from the network, and .... |
| Communication, change and succession in Longreach |
Producers have chance to analyse wool supply chain opportunities
Motivated Queensland producers have a unique opportunity to participate in a workshop in the New Year that has the potential to set up direct marketing supply chains for specific wool types.
The Developing Wool Supply Chains workshop organised by Leading Sheep is scheduled for Wednesday 28 February at St George from 9.30am-4.30pm and will be run by high-calibre facilitator Robert Wallace.
Le.... |
| Leading Sheep facilitates Wild Dog Stakeholder Forum |
Stockplan drought-decision support tool on display at workshop
Do I sell, do I feed, do I agist? Many sheep and wool producers are asking themselves these questions, with summer fast approaching and no worthwhile rain having fallen in most regions.
In response, Leading Sheep organised a training workshop, held at Bollon on 25 October, using a computer-based drought-decision support tool to assist producers.
The tool is Stockplan, and the workshop will b.... |  |
Leading Sheep publishes second Drought Survival Stories e-book
More producers have taken up an opportunity to recount their stories and coping strategies in the e-book, Drought Survival Stories 2, published by the Leading Sheep project as dry conditions penetrate all Queensland sheep regions and 60 percent of the state is officially drought declared.
The innovative e-book is available via the Leading Sheep website, www.leadingsheep.com.au, and contains sto.... |  |
Stuart sees exciting times ahead for sheep industry
Stuart Barkla believes this is an exciting time to be in the sheep industry and he is fully optimistic about the pastoral future on Rosscoe Downs, 150km south-east of Cunnamulla.
Recent advances in technology offer huge potential to make productivity gains from sheep that in turn improve profitability and Stuart outlined some of these advances recently at a Leading Sheep forum in St George.
.... |  |
Feeding is a part of life
Feeding core breeding stock through droughts is something you just get used to doing because it is part of your life, says Martin Lloyd from “Lorne” at Blackall.
Martin was born in 1961 and remembers feeding during the 1966 drought therefore is not fazed by the need to gear up to feed when conditions make that necessary.
He has been feeding on and off during the past five years, but is deli.... |  |
| Leading Sheep brings focus on productivity |
| Leading Sheep seeks more drought survival stories for e-book |
| Spreading options between sheep meat and wool |
| More producers join Leading Sheep network |
| Producers can engage with World Merino Conference via the net |
| Leading Sheep organises opportunity to develop wool supply chains |
| AI day brings sheep genetics to the fore in central west Queensland |
| Queensland sheep producers set to road test mulesing clip |
| Drought-affected producers explore assistance options |
| Leading Sheep earns funding to continue regional activities |
| Providing an all round "good merino experience" |
| Leading Sheep south east group puts priority on capacity building |
| Leading Sheep producers explore climatology tools |
| Stuart sees exciting times ahead for sheep industry |
| Current high prices make sheepmeat trendy, but caution advised |
| Selling wool on its special points of difference |
| Producers explore sheepmeat and wool options and opportunities |
| How Qld sheep are outperforming beef |
| Leading Sheep south west region determines priorities |
| Leading Sheep trials tele-bridge to exchange information |
| Managing production requires measurement |
| Leading Sheep project plans for next 12 months |
| The rumen is ‘the engine room’ for sheep productivity |
| One of sheep’s true believers |
| The many variables of feedlotting sheep |
| Value-adding through sheep leather |
| Auto drafting device cuts costs |
| Wool producers flock to Rosebank |
| Leading Sheep coordinators on board in regions |
| Regional coordination for Leading Sheep |
| Leading Sheep leader comes with experience |
| Juggling the nutrient balance to maximise sheep productivity |
| To read other Leading Sheep stories, visit the AWI Leading Sheep web page |
