- Superfine Merino wool good for skin
- Bestwool Bestlamb conference
- Are you considering electric fencing?
- Lamb survival is increased with improved ewe condition
- Upcoming events
- eBulletins
1. Superfine Merino wool good for skin
The Woolmark Company-funded clinical studies have demonstrated that suitably selected Merino wool base-layer garments are healthy and therapeutic for the skin, especially for those with the most sensitive skin such as eczema
sufferers. The aim of the research is to ultimately open doors to new high value markets for wool. Two recent dermatology trials – funded by The Woolmark Company – have shown that infant and adult sufferers of eczema have reduced symptoms when wearing superfine Merino wool garments next to the skin.
To read more about the trials click here.
2. Bestwool Bestlamb conference
Bestwool/Bestlamb is a similar network to Leading Sheep in Victoria, and they run an annual conference which covers a wide range of sheep topics and attracts around 300 producers and advisors. The presentations have been recorded and made available for others to view. Here are just a few of the presentations available:
- Designing sheep fit for purpose – Mark Ferguson, New Zealand Merino, outlines the importance of and the strategies for breeding the ‘right’ sheep for the business with reference to work being done in New Zealand
- Transforming the farm with smart technology – Shane Carter, ZI ARGUS outlines the technology that can make Agriculture ‘the coolest profession on earth’
- Pregnancy scanning – making it pay – Scott Howell a producer from Avoca, Victoria, gives an insight into how pregnancy scanning effects his bottom line
- Key tips for training working dogs – Ian O’Connell a dog breeder and trainer from Casterton covers the key tips for training working dogs.
- PLUS many more presentations
Click here to view all of the presentations available.
3. Are you considering electric fencing?
The Leading Sheep website has an ever growing amount of resources available for producers to browse. One topic covered is electric fencing. If you are considering erecting an electric fence or refurbishing an existing fence with some hot wires, then it would be well worth your time to check out the following resources:
- Electric fencing for feral animals (short 3-7 minute videos) .
- Flock talk March 2016 – electric fencing
- Making the move into electric fencing
- Electric fencing zaps pasture pressure at Longreach – a producer case study
To view the other resources on the Leading Sheep website click here.
4. Lamb survival is increased with improved ewe condition
Lamb birth-weight is determined by ewe nutrition both in early pregnancy (during placental development) and in the last third of pregnancy, which is a period of rapid foetal growth.
Ewe nutrition during late-pregnancy and lambing has a large effect on lamb survival (see graph below).
Single bearing ewes should be in condition score 2.8 or more, and twin bearing ewes should be at least in condition score 3.0 by lambing to optimise lamb survival, especially in an environment susceptible to poor lambing conditions.
Poor ewe nutrition and low condition at lambing also has detrimental effects on maternal behaviour and lamb behaviour that contribute to increased mortality. Ideally the ewe and lamb should remain at the birth site for at least 6 hours.
This case study of lamb survival shows that about 15-20% more lambs survive when born to ewes in condition score 3 compared to ewes in condition score 2.2 (see table below).
5. Upcoming events
20 October, The sky’s the limit… using drones in the grazing industry – webinar. To register click here.
Sheep Options workshop, click here for more information
Practical merino sheep classing day – for more information contact click here.
- 25 October, Longreach
- 27 October, Quilpie
27 October, Augathella, Grazing Fundamentals. For more information contact SWNRM 0746 568 500 or office@swnrm.org.au.
28-30 October, Betoota, Channel Country Ladies Day. For more information click here.
17 November, ‘Wetlands’ Augathella, Farm Biodiversity field day. For more information contact SWNRM 0746 568 500 or office@swnrm.org.au.
17-18 November, Roma, Young beef producers forum. For more information click here.
6. eBulletins
AWI wool market review – week ending 14 October
Invasive Animals CRC Feral Flyer – Oct