The following producer groups are Producer Demonstration Sites (PDS) funded by Meat & Livestock Australia.
1. Optimising the Fertility of Maiden Ewes PDS
Details
Who: Making Maidens Weight
Duration: May 2023 – June 2026
Location: central west Queensland rangelands (Beaconsfield, Ilfracombe and Dunblane, Barcaldine)
Image from June 2024 field day at Beaconsfield demonstration site.
Aim
To demonstrate improvements in sheep reproductive performance and mortality rates through the adoption of selected management techniques. The project will focus on ewe weight at joining, joining length, body condition score, nutrition management and the use of electronic identification (eID) for collecting data and guiding decisions.
**As at October 2024 this producer group is looking for additional demonstration sites to join the group. Requirements of involvement:
- Collect individual animal data (or looking to start)
- Able to collect individual animal weights and body condition scores Spring 2024 joining and for comparison with pregnancy scanning data
- Willing to share your flock data and experiences with the PDS group to be written about in PDS update documents and newsletters, discussed in the WhatsApp chat and presented at events
If you are interested, please contact Millie Sheales at millie.sheales@daf.qld.gov.au or 0428 102 841.
Benefits of involvement:
- Work closely with Dr Gordon Refshauge (NSW Department of Primary Industries) to learn more about your flock productivity and where you can identify opportunities for improvement. improvements??
- Learn from other producers in the region
- Start your eID journey with the support of a producer group
Learn more
- PDS update October 2023 – December 2024, click here.
- PDS update April 2024 – June 2024, click here.
- PDS update July-September 2024, click here.
- PDS update October-December 2024, click here.
- Webinar – Considerations for containment feeding in western Queensland, click here.
- PDS webpage on MLA website, click here.
Find out more
Please contact Millie Sheales at millie.sheales@daf.qld.gov.au or 0428 102 841.
2. Lamb Survival – SE QLD Rangelands PDS
Details
Who: Dirranbandi Sheep Group
Duration: December 2021 – January 2026
Location: southern Queensland rangelands
Aim
Address the ‘Our Livestock’ MLA Strategic Plan priority by facilitating and demonstrating the adoption of objective management technologies (walk over weigh measurement and objective condition scoring) to increase on-farm productivity. By implementing these technologies and making nutrition and health management decisions the demonstration flocks will improve ewe conception and lamb survival.
Update: following 2022-23 flooding events the project has pivoted to focus on the use of individual eID and recording keeping as a way to problem solve and address the main aim of increasing ewe conception and lamb survival.
Learn more
- Feedback Magazine Article: On the banks of technology, click here.
- PDS webpage on the MLA website, click here.
Find out more
Contact Anthony Shepherd at anthony@sheepmatters.com.au.