Around the Camp: Flock talk / central west check fence / new drench, new active

Welcome to the October edition of ‘Around the Camp’. We would firstly like to make a correction from the ‘Breech Strike Prevention – an update’ email that was sent on the 9th September, it should have read “Meloxicam will be on the market in late 2014 /early 2015 for use in cattle. Currently registration is pending with AVPMA for use in sheep for pain relief in tail docking and castration. Troy Laboratories are hoping to have the product registered for mulesing”.

As always if you have a suggestion for an article or any feedback then please let us know! Hope you enjoy this month’s articles.

1. NEW – ‘Flock talk’ – sheep supplement in the Queensland Country Life

Did you notice ‘Flock talk’, a dedicated sheep section, in last week’s Queensland Country Life (QCL)? Flock talk is an initiative of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Leading Sheep to help distribute relevant sheep information to Queensland producers. Flock talk will be published in the QCL three times a year and will include a variety of sheep articles, producer stories and other relevant industry information. The first edition of Flock talk featured information about Leading Sheep, maximising lambs weaned and bonding of guard donkeys. The next edition of Flock talk will be published in the QCL on the 27th of November.

To read inaugural edition of ‘Flock talk’ from last week’s QCL, click here.

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2. Central west check fence – final report from community consultation

An independent public consultation undertaken to understand the Central Western regions communities’ views regarding the construction of a multi–‐shire regional wild dog control fence has concluded that there is wide support for the fence. DSCF0175

A total of 342 people attended the public meetings held in 10 towns across the Central West region.
84% of people who attended said they supported the establishment of a multi–‐shire wild dog control fence.
93% said that fencing is a practical way to control dogs.

A summary is available of the community consultation meeting or to view the full final report, click here.

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3. New sheep drench with new active ingredient

A new drench Startect (manufactured by Zoetis) should be in store in limited quantities by late September. Startect is a combination drench with the actives being abamectin and derquantel. Derquantel is from the new class of active, the spiroindoles, which have no known resistance. The dose rate is 1ml/5kg bodyweight. A 10ml dose has a RRP of 80c/head. The ESI is 28 days and the WHP for meat is 14 days. For further information: www.startect.com.au After the launch, which was attended by Noel O’Dempsey (South Region Leading Sheep Coordinator), it was great to hear two producers talking about how they could best use the new product and how they could best protect it from developing resistance.

For more information on the drenches available to sheep producers, visit wormboss.

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4. Monday motivation

Monday Motivation is a new series of simple wellbeing tips from Suncare, aimed at people located in rural and isolated areas. We hope that you enjoy this information. Each week Suncare will send out a new topic with new tips to get you motivated for the new week ahead!

Why do you need good quality sleep?

Some Doctors say that good quality sleep doesn’t always mean a long sleep. “Deep Sleep” is the best quality sleep you can get and this often occurs in the first five hours after falling asleep. Sometimes longer sleep doesn’t always mean a better sleep.
Good quality sleep helps boost your energy and concentration levels, immune system, improves your overall health and wellbeing and reduces stress.

Why exercise?

Regular exercise can be an effective way to reduce and manage mild anxiety and stress.
Physical activity burns up stress chemicals, like adrenaline, which promotes a more relaxed state of mind.

Check out the tips for week 1 (exercise), week 2 (sleep) and week 3 (relaxation) of Monday motivation. To subscribe to these weekly newsletters contact, Ingrid Miller, Drought Relief Program Co-ordinator, Central West on (07) 4658 5933 or ingrid.m@suncare.org.au.

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5. Dubbo bus tour

In late August Leading Sheep, with the help of Landmark, took 16 sheep, lamb and wool producers on a bus tour to Dubbo. The bus or the glorified cattle truck as some liked to call it, departed Charleville on Tuesday and headed for the NSW border picking up passengers along the way. We were all delighted to be reminded what green grass and storm clouds look like once we got down around Nyngan. The group attended the National Merino Sheep Show and Ram Sale, AWI cocktail party, took a tour through Fletchers abattoir and heard from a number of key industry speakers.

To read Amy Brown’s (South West Leading Sheep Coordinator) full report from the trip, click here.

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6. Upcoming events

Soil Carbon webinar series

1 October, 1pm – Storing and measuring soil carbon – webinar. Register here.
10 October, 1pm – Increasing beef profits and reducing carbon emissions – webinar. Register here.

Goat producer forum, Wednesday 1 October, 9.00-11am, Charleville RSL, 37 Watson Street. For more information or to register contact Julie Petty 0411 680 516 or jpetty@mla.com.au

Defining the strategic direction of Australia’s red meat and livestock industries – have your say, Wednesday 1 October, 12-5.30pm, Charleville RSL, 37 Watson Street, For more information contact Julie Petty, 0411 680 516 or jpetty@mla.com.au or register by clicking here.

AgForce 360 series forum, Registration and for more information: www.agforceqld.org.au or click here or contact Stacey Milner on 0418 733 102

AgForce South West Queensland Regional Dinner, Wednesday, 1 October from 6:30pm, Corones Hotel, 33 Wills St, Charleville, Members $50, Non-Members $65 (pre-event registrations are required)
AgForce 360 Series Charleville Forum, Thursday, 2 October – Registrations 8:30am for 9am start, Charleville Racecourse, Partridge St, Charleville, Free entry (pre-event registrations are required)

Getting back to Business II – Leading sheep workshops – 8:45am – 3pm, click here for more details or to register.

14 October, Winton
15 October, Longreach
16 October, Isisford

Channel country ladies day, Betoota, far west Qld, 17-19th October, for more information and to register, click here.

Sown Pasture Rundown: The productivity decline of improved grass pastures – webinar, 5th November, 12:30pm, for more information or to register contact Gina Mace – 07 46208122 or gina.mace@daff.qld.gov.au

Road to Resilience, Tie up the Black Dog, (Wayne Bennett & Craig Hamilton – speakers) – more information