Welcome to the December edition of ‘Around the Camp’. Another year has flown past, unfortunately for most people it has been another dry year but fingers crossed things might change this summer. It has been another successful year for Leading Sheep, with several new initiatives proving very popular, such as the ‘Flock talk’ supplement in the Qld Country Life, the short radio snippets on ABC radio and supporting two producers to attend LambEx 2014. Leading Sheep intends to build on these in 2015 to help deliver information to Queensland sheep producers in the most effective form possible. From all the Leading Sheep team we would sincerely like to thank everyone for the support in 2014. We hope everyone has an enjoyable and relaxing festive season and we look forward to working together in 2015.
- Stuart McCullough to speak at upcoming Leading Sheep webinar
- Zolvix (Monepantel) – Clarification
- Bureau releases climate outlook for summer
- Woolmark launches online Merino shop
- Queensland Innovative Sheep Network
- Upcoming events
- eBulletins
1. Stuart McCullough to speak at upcoming Leading Sheep webinar
Leading Sheep is hosting a webinar, ‘AWI – where your levy is invested’ next Thursday 11th December at 1:00pm (Qld time). Register.
Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) invests in R&D, marketing and promotion to enhance the profitability, international competitiveness and sustainability of the Australian wool industry and to increase the demand and market access for Australian wool. Stuart McCullough, Chief Executive Officer of AWI, will speak about where the levies are invested and the new initiatives they are developing. This is a great opportunity for everyone in the sheep industry to hear directly from, and ask questions of, Stuart.
Participants will hear about:
- Wool prices – Eastern Market Indicator
- Finances
- China Strategy
- Levies spend
- Wool Selling Systems Review (WSSR)
- Industry digital technology innovation
Register for the webinar.
2. Zolvix (Monepantel) – Clarification
Leading Sheep recently circulated a note about Zolvix resistance in Barbers Pole in a sheep flock in south west Queensland. This note was incorrect.
Resistance has NOT been detected in sheep flocks in Australia and monepantel remains an effective treatment option.
I would encourage you to cast your mind back to when you first read the note. Where you concerned or worried? If so, perhaps now is the time to put in place strategies to protect your ability to use this and other valuable drenches in the long term. These strategies include effective quarantine drenching, monitoring and informed use of all drenches. Noel O ‘Dempsey
For more information on worm control, visit Wormboss.
3. Bureau releases climate outlook for summer
A drier than normal summer is more likely over northern, eastern and central Australia according to the Bureau of Meteorology’s (BOM) latest three monthly seasonal climate outlook statement released recently. The 
chances of receiving median rainfall are rated just 25-30pc for the Kimberley region of WA, the NT, Queensland, northern and eastern SA, NSW, and eastern Victoria.
To view the short ‘Outlook for Summer‘ video, click here. Visit the BOM website for information.
4.Woolmark launches online Merino shop
Wool products are now more discoverable for consumers and woolgrowers alike with the launch of the Merino Shop. The online marketplace sells everything from the finest Merino fine wool dresses through to intricately woven wool rugs. The Merino Shop draws from online sites around the world to showcase women’s, men’s and children’s garments along with homewares. “Merino.com is our primary channel for educating consumers on the benefits of Merino wool through highly engaging content,” explains The Woolmark Company Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer Rob Langtry. “We often hear from woolgrowers who are frustrated they cannot buy wool products locally given a very large majority of their wool sells at retail in the northern hemisphere, but sites like this make purchasing very high quality wool products a lot easier.”
Visit the Merino Shop and take a look.
Learn more about other AWI initiatives when Stuart McCullough, AWI CEO, speaks on next week’s ‘AWI – where your levy is invested‘ webinar. Register for the webinar
5. Queensland Innovative Sheep Network – QISN
Queensland Innovative Sheep Network (QISN) is a network of young participants working together to create opportunities and change, ensuring ongoing prosperity of the Queensland sheep industries. Committee Members of QISN came together on November 17th and 18th in Roma to collaborate ideas in a business planning workshop which will ensure a bright future for young sheep and wool enthusiasts.
Read more about QISN and like the facebook page (Qld Innovative Sheep Network).
6. Upcoming events
- ‘AWI – where your levy is invested‘ webinar – Thursday 11th December 2014, 1:00pm – 2:00pm (Qld time) – Register now!
- RamSelect workshop – ‘Bellevue’, Millmerran – 4th February 2015, for more information click here or contact Lu Hogan luhogan@optusnet.com.au
- Getting Back to Business workshop – for more information contact Alex Stirton, 0746 544 212 or Alex.stirton@daff.qld.gov.au
- 24th February – Winton
- 25th February – Longreach
- 26th February – Isisford