Around the Camp: Invest in WEC, sheep parasite information, decotting, catch and drag.

  1. Invest in Worm Egg Counts
  2. Quality source of sheep parasite information 
  3. What do you know about decotting?
  4. No more catch and drag
  5. Upcoming Leading Sheep events
  6. Upcoming events
  7. eBulletins and podcasts

1. Invest in Worm Egg Counts

‘Out here, we don’t get worms in our sheep’ is often said by producers in the lower rainfall areas of the pastoral zone. With the rain continuing, for many, it is likely this year will be the exception to the rule. Money invested in regular Worm Egg Counting (WEC) will show a significant return, especially this year. WEC’s continues to be your best tool to ensure you don’t get caught out with dead, dying or poor performing sheep. To ensure the accuracy of your results, Worm Boss has a list of ParaBoss Professional Service Providers

Go to www.wormboss.com.au and look for WEC QA at the top of the page for more information.

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2. Quality source of sheep parasite information

ParaBoss-certified advisors have completed the ParaBoss Certificate in Sheep Parasite Management. This training is designed for rural merchandise staff, veterinarians, sheep consultants and sheep extension staff, who wish to gain in-depth knowledge of important sheep parasites such as worms, flies and lice, effective integrated parasite management principles and practices and treatment options and appropriate use. Sheep producers can find a list of ParaBoss-certified advisors on the website.

For more information and to register for the online course go to https://www.paraboss.com.au/training/paraboss-certificate-in-sheep-parasite-management.php

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3. What do you know about decotting?

Decotting is an underused tool to improve the price of your wool that carries a jowl or cott fault, high vegetable matter (VM) or any clumpy wool. Jowl pieces come from the jaw and/or neck region of the sheep and are typically of a low value. Recently, a 9 bale line of fine, high VM, jowly pieces were put through the decotting process. After all costs were deducted (freight to Brisbane, decotting and retesting), the wool made an extra $8,000.

Ask your wool broker whether you have any lines that would benefit from decotting.

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4. No more catch and drag

Which process impacts the efficiency of wool harvesting the most?

During which process do most shearing injuries occur?

The answer to both is catch and drag. AWI is developing a mechanical system that delivers the sheep to the shearer, removing the catch and drag steps from the shearing process. The unit operates on air and delivers the sheep at an angle suitable for the shearer to start shearing straightaway. While still in development, the practicalities of updating your shearing shed are being considered, with the unit designed to be modular and easily retrofitted to your current shed.

For more information, go to www.wool.com and search for ‘modular sheep delivery unit’.

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5. Upcoming Leading Sheep events

  • 9 December – Business tools for improved sheep performance – webinar by Leading Sheep. For more information and to register click here.

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6. Upcoming events

  • 09 December – Feral pig GPS collaring project – Cunnamulla by SQL. For more information and to register contact Chris Crafter on 0428 821 078.
  • 14 December – Risk management, Business Continuity Planning, Property Mapping – Boulia by AgForce. For more information and to register click here.
  • 16 December – Risk management, Business Continuity Planning, Property Mapping – Jundah by AgForce. For more information and to register click here.
  • 17 December – Risk management, Business Continuity Planning, Property Mapping – Longreach by AgForce. For more information and to register click here.
  • 27 December – Christmas Day Public holiday
  • 28 December – Boxing Day Public holiday
  • 3 January – New Year’s Day Public holiday
  • 26 January – Australia Day Public holiday 

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7. Podcast, eBulletin and surveys

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