Leading Sheep sessions in Longreach outlining precision sheep management technologies that cut costs and lot-feeding options that add value for wool producers were attended by forty central and north west Queensland producers recently.

These producers, who collectively manage 1.47 million acres of Mitchell Grass downs country and 350,000 sheep, were keen to hear from researchers about the economics and practicalities of feedlotting, and to see an electronic sheep auto drafter in action.

Leading Sheep is an Australian Wool Innovation Limited initiative in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and supported by AgForce that targets the adoption of new technologies and practices to increase the productivity and profitability of the Queensland sheep and wool industry.

Speakers at the Leading Sheep activity were Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries extension officer Ian McConnel and senior researcher Dr Maree Bowen, and New South Wales Department of Primary Industries feedlotting specialist Geoff Duddy.

Of most interest was the financial model that crunched the numbers and generated potential gross margins associated with intensive feeding of sheep.

Producers were told that gross margins in feedlotting have not been great during the past 18 months, and were advised that they needed to plan to make $10 profit/sheep after deducting costs to counteract the potential financial risks involved.

Mr McConnel said the best option for feedlotting in the central west region was during the winter, from about May to September, when it is more likely to be raining in southern regions.

Producers at the Longreach Feedlot Day identified sheep nutrition and mulesing as subjects they would like to hear more about at future Leading Sheep workshops and information days.

For more information on Leading Sheep, contact Geoff Knights on 07 4620 8121.