Around the Camp: wether trials, TEKFARM funding, Woolmark+ and containment feeding deep dive

  1. Quick picks: Wether trials, TEKFARM funding,WEC, Woolmark+, LambEx
  2. Deep dive – Considerations for containment feeding webinar recap
  3. Upcoming events
  4. Podcasts, eBulletins and surveys

Quick picks

Wether trials: Are you interested in benchmarking your flock’s genetic performance and production? The Australian Merino Production Trial are looking for Queensland growers to be involved in the trial, which includes a wool and meat component. Click here for further information and contact details.

TEKFARM funding: Did you miss out on the On Farm Connectivity Program funding? You can still get financial assistance PLUS expert guidance to find the right technology options for your farm through TEKFARM. The program helps farms become more efficient and drought resilient through the adoption of innovative and proven technologies. Contact program adoption officer Jane Barker for more information.

Scanning checklist: Did you know that the accuracy of pregnancy scanning is improved by holding ewes off feed and water for at least 6 hours prior to scanning? If you’re chasing other tips to maximise scanning success or to better understand why scanners might have specific requests, check out this checklist from AWI and MLA. You can sign up for our webinar with AWI Extension NSW to hear more from a pregnancy scanner.

Worm egg count (WEC) trait for worm resistance: Have you considered the WEC Australian Sheep Breeding Value (ASBV) as part of your worm management strategy? Over time, genetic selection for animals with higher resistance to worms can reduce labour demands and chemical use as well as improve animal welfare and production outcomes. Read more here.

Woolmark+ Australian Wool Insetting Program pilot: This pilot program aims to reduce emissions throughout the supply chain by developing an emissions insetting framework with woolgrowers and fashion brands. In the program, different emissions reduction strategies, such as productivity improvement and methane-reducing supplements, will be trialled and an individual property emissions reduction plan will be designed for your business. If you are interested in participating in the pilot, please complete the expression of interest form. Places are limited.

LambEx 2026: Do you enjoy blue sky thinking, sheep and wool research updates, engaging with key players in the supply chain and broadening your network in the industry? If your answer is yes,  block out 8-10 July 2026 in your diary for Australia’s biggest sheep and lamb event – LambEx. to be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre. You can watch a range of presentations and panel sessions from LambEx 2024 by clicking here.

Shearing world record broken: How long does it take you to shear a sheep? At just 27-years-old Alexia Phillips has recently broken the female shearing world record, shearing 367 sheep in 8 hours at an average time of 80 seconds per sheep in Darkan, Western Australia. Read the ABC’s coverage here.

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Deep dive – Considerations for containment feeding webinar recap   

In December, the Making Maidens Weight MLA Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) ran an online webinar and discussion with Brett Littler (NSW Local Land Services) about containment feeding. This topic stemmed from interest in feeding weaners and lighter maiden ewes to improve growth rates. Here are the key discussion points.

Containment feeding (also known as confinement feeding or drought lotting) refers to the temporary and proactive strategy of fully hand feeding stock in small pens or paddocks. It has predominantly been used as a drought management strategy to preserve land condition and maintain animal condition when paddock feed availability is insufficient.

Know your why. The pros and cons will be unique to your circumstances. Identify what you want to achieve from containment feeding, whether it fits into your management preferences and whether there are multiple uses for the yards. Some of the benefits include reducing sheep energy requirement, maintaining or improving body condition, growth rates, animal welfare, and land condition. Some of the challenges include cost of feed and infrastructure, requirement for more intensive management and animal health issues.

Considerations for site selection

  • Topography – a slope of 2-4% is ideal to minimise erosion, avoid pooling of water and minimise energy expenditure of the animals.
  • Soil type – QLD soils may pose a challenge, with light sandy soils being more prone to erosion and heavy clay soils posing site access issues and the potential for animal health problems when wet.
  • Access and proximity to facilities – the site and feed storage shed must be accessible in all weather (a challenge on clay soils) to ensure animals can be fed. Ideally the distance to feed storage and machinery sheds will be minimal.
  • Water – consistent and reliable supply of good quality water via troughs is essential. It is important to understand the water requirements of different stock and the factors affecting intake. Flow rates of >10-15 litres per head per hour and >2-3 days stored water supply is recommended.
  • Shade and shelter – utilise natural vegetation for shade and shelter where possible and be mindful of heat stress (high temperature and reduced air flow) in spring and summer.

Perfection doesn’t exist. No site will be perfect, you will likely have to decide what elements of site design you are willing to compromise on.

Other considerations

  • Stocking rate – recommended stocking density for sheep ranges from 2-5m2 per head. Lambing ewes need significantly more space however the recommendations vary. As well as talking to an experienced professional, you can find out more about stocking rate (and mob size) in the containment feeding guide and this lambing in confinement factsheet.
  • Pen design – everything from troughing to laneways, gateways, pen size and site restrictions will influence pen design. Many examples were presented and discussed in the webinar.
  • Class of stock – different classes of stock may perform better in certain set ups. For example lambing ewes need space, so smaller paddocks are recommended, while pens or small paddocks are suitable for young or dry sheep.
  • Multiple uses – maximises the return on investment for the facility. Other uses of containment feeding areas include imprint feeding of weaners, pasture spelling, quarantine of new or sick animals, finishing stock and short-term feeding of certain classes amongst others.
  • Legislative requirements – depends on local council and state requirements. See the second half of the webinar for the details.

Keep it simple. Containment feeding facilities do not need to be state-of-the-art to be safe and functional. Maximise use of materials and existing infrastructure you already have where appropriate.

Seek advice. Please reach out to an experienced professional if you are considering containment feeding. Myself (millie.sheales@daf.qld.gov.au) or Sam Harwood (sam.harwood@daf.qld.gov.au) can point you in the right direction.

View the webinar recording for a more thorough exploration of the topics above. A great resource referenced throughout this webinar is ‘A guide to confinement feeding sheep and cattle in NSW’. AWI’s resource ‘Managing sheep in droughtlots, a best practice guide’ covers much of the same information in a drought context. Read this case study of the Webb family in the North and Central West (N&CW) region for an example of how containment feeding has been utilised in western Queensland.

This edition was written by N&CW extension officer Millie Sheales.

Upcoming Leading Sheep events

  • 6 March. Pregnancy scanning webinar – I have my scanning results, what now? Delivered by Leading Sheep and AWI Extension NSW. Register here.
  • 27 March. Leading Sheep Forum, Longreach. Delivered by DPI. Register here.

Upcoming events

  • 5 March. Xero training, Longreach. Delivered by CHRRUP. Register here.
  • 11 March. Carbon and your ag business, Tambo. Delivered by AgForce. Register here.
  • 17-18 March. Carbon EDGE, Goondiwindi. Delivered by ConnectAg. Register here.
  • 26 March. Succession planning workshop, Dulacca. Delivered by ConnectAg. Register here.
  • 27 March. Succession planning workshop, Roma. Delivered by ConnectAg. Register here.

Save the dates

  • 6 May. Carbon and your ag business – realities, opportunities, risks and guidance, Boulia. Delivered by AgForce. Information to come.
  • 7 May. Carbon and your ag business – realities, opportunities, risks and guidance, Winton. Delivered by AgForce. Information to come.
  • 8 May. Carbon and your ag business – realities, opportunities, risks and guidance, Longreach. Delivered by AgForce. Information to come.
  • 12 June. Making Maidens Weight Producer Demonstration Site field day, central west. Delivered by DPI. Information to come.
  • 30-31 July. GroWQ Ag Innovation Expo: Talks, Tech, Trade Displays, Longreach. Delivered by GroWQ. Information to come.
  • 3 October. GroWQ Next Gen Event: Grassroots Growth in the Grazing Industry, Longreach. Delivered by GroWQ. Information to come.

Podcasts, eBulletins and surveys

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