| 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 stories from producers in central west Queensland detailing their drought experiences.
Leading Sheep is an Australian Wool Innovation project in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and supported by AgForce, which targets the adoption of new technologies and practices to increase the productivity and profitability of the Queensland industry.
The e-book is a Leading Sheep Central West regional committee initiative which aims to gather knowledge and stories that record producers’ approaches to drought, the feeds and feeding methods they adopt and other solutions for managing through trying times.
Leading Sheep Central West coordinator Jenny Keogh said the Drought Survival Stories 2 e-book is being circulated via the group’s email network and may encourage more contributions.
“These stories are from producers still in drought and others who have had some relief rain and a temporary reprieve from the physical and mental pressure of drought,” Ms Keogh said.
“Reading other people’s stories and strategies can provide support and encouragement to producers experiencing tough times. The inclusion of photos, personality and humour makes each story unique, and these testimonies show that each drought experience is different.
“The e-book is an easy and cost-effective way of publishing stories and if more contributions come forward, we will publish them in a third e-book.
“We are asking contributors to think about what they might do differently, things that helped or hindered in their emotional survival, what might have helped provide better support in getting through these types of conditions, and suggestions that may help future generations.”
A contributor’s guide is available on www.leadingsheep.com.au and additional stories can be emailed to Jenny Keogh on amaroo6@bigpond.com.
Contacts: Leading Sheep Central West regional coordinator Jenny Keogh, 07 4657 5983, or DPI&F extension officer Nicole Sallur 4654 4220. | 
