Leading Sheep Producers Embrace Technology on Smart Yards, Smarter Flocks Tour
Producers from the Leading Sheep South region came together for a convoy style tour of Merino studs “Karbullah” near Goondiwindi and “Rosedale” near Yelarbon. The tour showcased a range of livestock technologies including eID, automated drafting, smart water troughs, SmartShepherd Mothering collars and Optiweigh, with a focus on practical applications for individual animal management and flock performance.
The day also explored timely issues including lot feeding, confinement feeding during drought and the increasing value of individual animal data. Producers were connected with information on available eID financial assistance, as well as drought support, providing practical pathways to support technology adoption and management decisions on farm.
If you missed the day, check out the photos below to see what we learned!
The Leading Sheep team ready to start the day: Kacie Baker, Arun Philip and Nashua Hemon-SiompotisSouth Regional Coordinator Noel O’Dempsey introduced the dayMark and Ben Murphy shared how they are using their five way auto drafter to monitor weight gains and to link eID tags to weights and Sheep Genetics ASBVs for their ramsWe saw sheep moving through the auto drafter and the weights recorded on the screen. The backing bars and the sheep self-feeding to the scales and draft was a highlightThe group then moved to the Murphy’s feedlot and containment feeding pensBen Murphy explained how they are using containment feeding during these dry timesThe Murphy’s are using Optiweigh to monitor the weight of the sheep in their containment feeding pens so they have data to use for decision makingSmoko and then the group hit the road to Rissman’s. After a beautiful lunch catered by the Rissmans, Alan shared how they use autodrafters and eID’s for managementAlan also explained how they are using Smart Shepherd Mothering Collars to identify which lambs belong to which eweWe had presentations from DPI Biosecurity Officer, Lauren Taylor on eID grants and Extension Officer, Nashua Hemon-Siompotis on GrazingFutures and Drought Preparedness GrantsIt was a wonderful day, enjoyed by all who participated. Big thank you to the Murphy’s and the Rissman’s for hosting us!
