Welcome to the February edition of ‘Around the Camp’. Leading Sheep has been active with a number of events already run as well as more in the planning stages. Leading Sheep also has a number of new initiatives including a youth mentoring scheme, a sheep challenge and promoting resources and opportunities for schools. If you have any suggestions for articles or feedback then please let us know.
- Wool selling system review
- Wool and sheepmeat survey
- Wool4School gets sporty in 2016
- BestWool/BestLamb Conference presentations online
- Upcoming events
- eBulletins
1. Wool selling system review
The most significant examination of the wool selling system since the digital age, is now complete.
Commissioned by the Board of Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), the Wool Selling Systems Review has examined in detail the opportunities for innovation in the exchange of wool from the farm gate until it passes the ship’s rail for export. The estimated total cost of this exchange of wool last financial year has been estimated at about $300 million.
The 68-page report, now available on wool.com/wssr includes a number of significant findings or recommendations including the need for:
- cost savings associated with a merger of the Australian Wool Testing Authority (AWTA) and Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX)
- greater transparency of all selling costs
- the potential for a tax-equivalent R&D investment to be made by AWTA given it’s current tax-free status
- potential problems with the current commission buying arrangements in the auction system
- a differentiated approach not necessarily requiring sample display of all wool and making greater use, where appropriate, of sale by description.
2. Wool and sheepmeat survey
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) have commissioned a wool and sheepmeat survey for 2016. These survey results have been accurately representing production trends since 2010 and allow AWI and MLA to generate better forward looking information for the industry, and provide breeding, marketing and on-farm support initiatives.
Take the survey before 29 February 2016 and go into the draw to win a Caltex StarCash Card worth $1,000.
Click here to enter the survey.
If you would like further information or require assistance to complete the survey, please call MLA Market Information on toll free on 1800 023 100.
3. Wool4School gets sporty in 2016
Wool4School is a real-life fashion design experience, with big rewards available for both students and teachers. Open to students in years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. Wool4School sets the challenge to design an original outfit made from one of the world’s most innovative and natural fibres – Australian Merino wool – and go in the running to win part of $10,000 worth of prizes.
The design must involve at least 70% Australian Merino wool and be suitable to wear during a match or medal ceremony. Conveying the Aussie team spirit, the design must be innovative and creative for either a male or female sports outfit.
Teachers can also take part in the competition, by incorporating the lesson plans into their classroom. Resources are also available to support the lesson plans that coincide with the Australian Curriculum.
To assist teachers and students, a myriad of classroom and online resources have been created including free textile samples, lesson plans, technical videos and rubrics.
For all competition details please visit wool4school.com
Key Dates:
• 31 May 2016: Registrations Close
• 1 June 2016: Submissions Open
• 19 July 2016: Submissions Close (Year 7 & 8)
• 26 July 2016: Submissions Close (Year 9 & 10)
• 2 August 2016: Submissions Close (Year 11 & Teachers)
• 25 August 2016: Winners Announced
4. BestWool/BestLamb conference presentations online
BestWool/BestLamb supports Victorian producers, communities and industry through group and network activities, partnerships to deliver information and 
training and skill development. The annual BestWool/BestLamb conference is one of the key calendar events for Victorian sheep producers. Presentations from the 2015 BestWool/BestLamb conference are now available by clicking here.
Presentations include:
- Transforming the farm with smart technology
Shane Carter, ZI ARGUS outlines the technology that can make Agriculture ‘the coolest profession on earth’
- Flock dynamics and future opportunities
Jason Trompf challenges producers to achieve potential from the ewe base – “For ewes to thrive – Do the 5”
- Lifetime Ewe Management App – A Farmer’s Perspective
Edward Blackwell, a sheep producer from Dunkeld, Victoria, discusses the benefits of using the Lifetime Ewe Management App on farm.
- Pregnancy scanning – making it pay
Scott Howell a producer from Avoca, Victoria, gives an insight into how pregnancy scanning effects his bottom line. Lee Beattie of Beattie Consulting Services discusses the benefits of pregnancy scanning – in terms of both productivity and profitability.
- Key tips for training working dogs
Ian O’Connell a dog breeder and trainer from Casterton covers the key tips for training working dogs.
- What the Top Farmers do well consistently
“Top 20% of producers are earning more than 3x as much the average producers. They grow more grass and they use it well” Paul Blackshaw, Senior Farm Business Economist from the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources presents on what the top farmers do consistently well -what’s behind the figures.
- High performing maidens
Andrew Kennedy, Sheep Industry Specialist from the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources discusses the keys to getting performance from maiden (lambs and hoggets) ewes.
- Managing yourself and your business when swimming against the tide
Ken Solly, consultant from S.A, talks about managing the people side of the farming business when times get tough. – “it’s not about how high you fly, but how well you bounce”.
5. Upcoming events
- Business Edge workshops, click on this link for the flyer and registration
- February 22-23, Richmond
- March 3-4, Charters Towers
- June 2-3, Emerald
- June 6-7, Toowoomba
- Exclusion and electric fencing bus trip 25 February, Wyandra/Cunnamulla – click here for more details or to register
- Financing your future: understanding and managing banking relationships. For more information contact Heather Smith at PastoralprofitQLD@gmail.com or 0428 712 985
- 29 February, Corfield
- 1 March, Stonehenge
- Wild dog trapping workshops – click here to register
- 1 March, Cunnamulla
- 2 March, Eulo
- 4 March, Tambo
- 5 March, Jericho
- 7 March, Ilfracombe
- Building multi-generational businesses. For more information contact Heather Smith at PastoralprofitQLD@gmail.com or 0428 712 985
- 24 February, Webinar
- 9 March, Charleville
- OBE Organic grazing BMP forum 10 March, Charleville. For more information click here or email Ross Mackenzie at rmackenzie@obeorganic.com
- Serious about farm safety 11 March, Charleville. For more information click here or email Ross Mackenzie at rmackenzie@obeorganic.com
- Restocking – the road to recovery forum and dinner 11 March, Longreach. For more information click here
- Grazing for profit. For more information click here
- 16-22 March, Toowoomba
- 13-19 July, Roma
- AgForce State Conference 18-19 March, Rockhamption. For more information click here
- Digital mapping workshop 24 March, Wandoan. For more information click here
- Nutrition Edge June/July, Roma/Cunnamulla/Quilpie. Register you interest for these workshops
- QRRRWN State Conference 6-8 October, Roma. For more information click here
6. eBulletins
AWI Weekly wool market review – week ending 12 February
ParaBoss News – February – Feature articles
Invasive Animals CRC Feral Flyer – January/February