| Third-generation woolgrower Peter Campbell from “Wyambeh” in the Roma/Surat area of southern Queensland has joined the advisory panel of Leading Sheep as the project broadens and strengthens its four grower networks in the Queensland sheep regions.
Recent on-farm innovations adopted by Mr Campbell include planting 450 hectares of saltbush as a high-protein drought reserve, and selectively breeding to increase carcass weight by 30 percent and improved worm resistance.
He has also demonstrated his commitment to wool by changing his ram source to become an SRS (soft rolling skin) Merino Stud at Wyambeh and believes their loose, wrinkle-free skin and long-stapled wool has the capacity to produce 5kg of fine wool fibre every six months and produce sheep that don’t need mulesing. Wyambeh stock are registered with Sheep Genetics Australia.
Leading Sheep targets the adoption of new technologies and practices to increase the productivity and profitability of the Queensland industry, and is an Australian Wool Innovation project in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and supported by AgForce.
Mr Campell is one of a number of new faces joining the project as some of the Leading Sheep regional committees are expanded or refreshed to involve the following producers, coordinators and departmental officers:
South East regional committee: Lyndon Charles, Mark Murphy, Joe Abbot, Grant Borchardt, Cameron Campbell, Scott Thrift, Rebecca Smith (coordinator) and Tony Hamilton (DPI&F);
Southern Inland regional committee: Don Perkins, Lloyd Harth, Duncan Banks, James Heatherington, Emily Martin (coordinator) and Tony Hamilton (DPI&F);
South West regional committee: Kathy Schmidt, Mark Lyons, Will Roberts, Sue Stirton, Ken Wilson (coordinator) and Guy Newell (DPI&F);
Central West regional committee: Rick Keogh, Rod Ross, Bob Little, Wendy Sheehan, Jenny Keogh (coordinator) and Nicole Sallur (DPI&F).
Project leader Geoff Knights said the committees are charged with delivering on Leading Sheep’s five objectives which are to: run regionally specific activities; involve 600 producers in regional activities; benchmark 80 producers to measure change in predation, reproduction, meat and wool value, parasites and natural resource use; provide an extension and adoption program; and contribute to a producer-led industry revitalisation.
For information, contact Geoff Knights on 07 4620 8121 or geoff.knights@dpi.qld.gov.au | 
