| 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 be exploring management options for drought and recovery which enables producers to consider many “what if” scenarios for their properties.
Stockplan is a suite of computer-based decision programs that producers can use to explore management options in the early stages of drought, and during drought, with the view to developing least-cost strategies to manage drought and the drought recovery period.
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) extension officer Tony Hamilton said the workshop resulted from an earlier Leading Sheep drought tools day at which producers were introduced to Stockplan.
“At the earlier day at “Woolerina”, producers could see the benefits of using this tool for planning long-term decisions and minimising guesswork. Their feedback showed a high level of interest in Stockplan because of the ability of the software to provide a wide range of options,” Mr Hamilton said.
Because of that interest, Mr Hamilton negotiated on behalf of the Leading Sheep Southern Inland regional committee to host an affordable workshop at a time when many producers are facing crucial decisions about the ongoing drought.
This outcome supports several Leading Sheep objectives of providing an extension and adoption program, supporting a program of regionally specific activities, and integrating a range of outputs aimed at improving aspects of wool production in Queensland.
Leading Sheep is an Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) partnership with the DPI&F and Fisheries and supported by AgForce, which targets the adoption of new technologies and practices to help boost the productivity and the profitability of the Queensland industry.
Contact Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries extension officer Tony Hamilton on 07 4654 4233 or email anthony.hamilton@dpi.qld.gov.au or Leading Sheep Southern Inland coordinator Emily Martin on 4625 5444 or email emilymartin@bigpond.com | 
