- A short history of the Merino
- Flies and maggots needed
- Conversations
- Production Pointers Part 6: Market reports and updates
- Upcoming events
- eBulletins
1. A short history of the Merino – from 26 Merinos in 1797 to Chris’s 41.1kg fleece in 2015. 
You’re in Australia, its 1797 and you say, “In 222 years, Australia will be producing over half of the world’s merino wool and it will be one of the symbols of the nation,” how many people would have believed you?
In 1797, Australia’s non-indigenous population was 4,344, the First Fleet landed nine years ago and on the 26th of June 26 Merino sheep imported by John Macarthur, were unloaded off the HMS Reliance in Sydney.
Leap forward 222 years. There are approximately 74 million Merinos in every state and territory, except the Northern Territory, producing 340 million kilograms of wool.
For more history on the Merino and to see what 41kg of wool looks like click here.
2.Flies and maggots needed
Can you do your best Mr Miyagi impression and catch some flies?
Instead of using chopsticks we will let you use a flytrap to catch flies and send in as part of a study on the genetics of the fly. There has been work carried out previously that needs continued study before a product can be released. This is where your help is needed, the flies you send in will help create an effective and efficient blowfly management control tool.
Once you register your interest you will be sent instructions, a fly trap, collection tubes and reply-paid post bags. More information is available by clicking here.
If you do have flies and would like to be part of this research contact the University of Melbourne on 0383 442 362 or blowfly-collection@unimelb.edu.au
3. Conversations
When was the last time you talked to your neighbour and it wasn’t about the weather, prices or tractors? Do you know what their kids are doing, who lost the most golf balls last week or who’s favourite team is not in the footy finals?
A 15-minute phone call can be priceless, both for you and the person you called. The first five minutes is often the hardest.
To make these first five minutes easier, click here for tips and ideas.
If this chat you’ve just had with your neighbour doesn’t feel quite right, or has left you thinking that things aren’t as they seem. It might be worth spending a couple of minutes on this website to see what you can do.
It might just save a life.
Talking to someone you are worried about.
4. Production Pointers Part 6: Market reports and updates
How closely do you follow the market? Do you get automatic emails with attachments or a custom graph? Want a free, two sentence wool market report sent to your phone via text message?
An example from Wednesday the 25th September is:
AWI Daily Report: Wool market kicks higher again with impressive gains across all wools/mer flc <19mic +25 to +50, >19mic +90 to +100/skts + 70/xbds +40/cards +40/EMI +61 to 1603ac
AWI has many resources for those experiencing drought at www.wool.com/resources
Reply STOPDAY to cancel
To receive this free text message, click the link below, enter your details and hit submit (it takes 30sec).
Click here
5. Upcoming events
28 September – Granite Belt Drought Fund Raiser, Applethorpe by Granite Belt Christmas Farm. For more information click here.
1 October – Farm Safety Workshops, Morven by AgForce. For more information contact Trish McKenzie.
2 October – Farm Safety Workshops, Augathella by AgForce. For more information contact Trish McKenzie.
3 October – Farm Safety Workshops, Tambo by AgForce. For more information contact Trish McKenzie.
9 October – Foot-and-mouth Disease – Prevention, Identification and Reporting of possible cases, webinar by DAF. To register click here.
15 October – Breeder Management Decisions workshop, Eulo by DAF. For more information contact Caitlyn Frazer.
16 October – Breeder Management Decisions workshop, Quilpie by DAF. For more information contact Caitlyn Frazer.
17 October – Breeder Management Decisions workshop, Augathella by DAF. For more information contact Caitlyn Frazer.
18 October – Channel Country Ladies Day, Thargomindah. For more information and to register click here.
22-24 October – Nutrition EDGE, Clermont. For more information and to register contact Desiree Jackson.
22 October – Fodder Harvesting Workshop, Quilpie by DNRME. More information TBA.
23 October Fodder Harvesting Workshop, Thargomindah by DNRME. More information TBA.
24 October Fodder Harvesting Workshop, Charleville by DNRME. More information TBA.