Rains in March and April have initiated variable pasture response for many producers throughout Queensland. In some areas the rapid growth of green feed after these rain events has brought associated risks. Issues are occurring predominantly in flocks introduced to the area from other pasture types or drought affected areas. This includes stock that have … Read more
Leading Sheep organised a series of workshops focussing on the practical uses of electronic identification (EID) ear tags in sheep. These workshops were held at Longreach, Cunnamulla and Goondiwindi and focused on topics most relevant to each region. Due to a wide variety of factors, such as the practical and useful nature of the information collected, it was … Read more
Queensland’s sheep and wool producers are hailing an innovative program that is helping them to improve their businesses’ productivity. Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) Senior Extension Officer and Leading Sheep Manager Nicole Sallur said feedback received from producers about the Leading Sheep program was incredibly positive. “Currently, 75 per cent of Queensland’s sheep and … Read more
Queensland’s sheep and wool producers are being urged to prepare their flocks for autumn joining. Industry consultant Geoff Duddy, from Sheep Solutions, said preparing the flock was critical for effective results and involved a lot more than simply opening the gate to let the rams in with the ewes. “Ideally producers should be checking their … Read more
Wool producer Donald Truss has erected more than 100km of exclusion fencing on his property in an effort to minimise the devastating impact of wild dogs. Now he wants to share his experience and encourage others to take action. Mr Truss, from south of Quilpie, is the newest member of the Leading Sheep South West … Read more
Sheep and wool producers have been advised to be proactive when weighing up the merits of exclusion fencing and ‘don’t wait until lambing percentages are down before taking action’. Blackall wool grower Ben Banks has warned western Queensland producers delaying fencing could put them in a position where it was difficult to financially justify the … Read more
Being willing to adopt new technology and utilise effective, information networks will be key to the future success of the state’s sheep and wool industry according to one of Western Queensland’s younger producers. Jesse Moody works alongside his parents, running Abbadoah and Yarmouth, with the properties making up around 56,000 hectares of mulga and Mitchell … Read more
A Blackall sheep and wool producer says introducing a pregnancy-scanning program can improve flock fertility by 10 to 15 per cent within a 12-month period, as well as allow producers to fine-tune ewe management. Ben Banks and his wife Oona manage the 46,500 hectare family property, Rivington, west of Blackall, where they run 25,000 Merinos … Read more
There are a number of sheep pregnancy scanners that operate in and/or service Queensland including: Damo’s Preg Testing – Damien Pollett (Tweed Heads), 0447 049 057, dmpollett@bigpond.com D & S Meppem Livestock Services – Damien Meppem (Gurley)- 0439190923, wilwurkkelpies@gmail.com Mike Rival (Goondiwindi), 07 4671 2203, mikerival@bigpond.com Ben Banks (Blackall), 0429 799 807 or 07 4657 5959, … Read more
Western Queensland sheep and wool producer Jim King believes the erection of exclusion fences to reduce wild dog pressure is one of the most positive moves his industry has seen in more than a decade. The Longreach property owner said the fences had given the sector a much-needed shot of confidence, prompting some producers to … Read more