Welcome to the September edition of ‘Around the Camp’. This edition is focusing on opportunities for sheep producers to have their say on range of programs as well as grants and awards. As always if you have any suggestions for articles or feedback then please let us know.
- Pursuing greater pastoral profit
- Woolpoll roadshow
- Meat Research Council needs sheep members
- RIRDC Rural Women’s Award
- Grants to realise big ideas for agriculture from young rural innovators
- Upcoming events
- eBulletins
1. Pursuing greater pastoral profit
Pastoral Profit offers business management workshops for graziers in Western Queensland. Cattle and sheep producers from the pastoral zone have access to a new program that is designed to help improve their bottom line by targeting the business management areas of their enterprises.
Queensland’s Pastoral Profit Coordinator, Heather Smith has organised the Focusing on the Future workshop series as the first Pastoral Profit events in Queensland. Held at 7 locations in Western Queensland during September and October, these workshops will be the catalyst for future activities in each district. Those who attend will have direct input into the content of future Pastoral Profit activities in their area.
The workshops have a large practical component with key sessions on positioning your business for success. Guest presenter Ian McLean from Bush AgriBusiness will discuss the importance of laying the foundations now for business recovery post drought. Early planning for choosing restocking strategies and investing in capital improvement projects that deliver quick productivity and cash returns are two areas that will be considered in detail.
For further information about the upcoming workshops or to provide some input on possible future activities please contact Heather Smith on 0428 712 985 or pastoralprofitqld@gmail.com. Check out the Pastoral Profit website www.pastoralprofit.com.au for more information about the program, resources and webinar recordings.
Pastoral Profit is a joint initiative of Meat & Livestock Australia and Australian Wool Innovation.
2. Woolpoll roadshow
What is WoolPoll?
Every three years Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) is required to conduct a poll, asking levy payers to determine the levy rate to be paid for industry Research & Development and Marketing activities for the next three years. The poll is is overseen by an independent panel of woolgrowers – the WoolPoll Panel. AWI’s operations and activities for the following three years are then driven by the WoolPoll outcome, which will be reflected in AWI’s 2016/17 to 2018/19 Strategic Plan.
Why vote?
WoolPoll is the levy payers’ opportunity to directly influence the future funding of AWI. Voting opens on Monday 14 September and closes on Friday 30 Otctober 2015. More details about voting can be found on www.woolpoll.com.au
Find out more at the Queensland roadshows
AWI invites you to join AWI staff and other woolgrowers to discuss how AWI has performed over the past three years and its plans for the future. Two roadshows will be held in Queensland at the following dates and locations:
- Tuesday 29 September 8am to 11am, Longreach, QLD Stockman’s Hall of Fame Longreach, Light breakfast/morning tea on arrival
- Wednesday 30 September 8am to 11am Charleville, QLD Charleville RSL Club, Light breakfast/morning tea on arrival
Register by calling the AWI Helpline on freecall 1800 070 099 or emailing awiroadshow@wool.com with your name and the venue you will be attending.
3. Meat Research Council needs sheep members
Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) is encouraging sheep producers from Queensland to help direct future red meat research priorities. Nominate for local producer committees of the Southern Australia Meat Research Council (SAMRC) to influence investments in research and development and communicate the benefits to producers in your region.
MLA is looking for producers who have:
• A detailed knowledge of red meat production
• A dedication to leading edge production and adoption of research and development
• A willingness to advocate on industry issues
Expressions of interest close: 6 September 2015
To find out more information visit www.mla.com.au/samrc
4. RIRDC Rural Women’s Award
The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women’s Award identifies and supports emerging women leaders who have the desire, commitment and leadership potential to make a greater contribution to primary industries and rural communities.
The Award supports women both financially and professionally. Each state and territory winner will receive a $10,000 financial bursary to implement their Award vision. Each winner also has the opportunity to participate in the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Company Directors Course and will be supported to develop an individual integrated leadership plan.
The Award is open to all women involved in primary industries and/or rural Australia. No formal qualifications are required. Potential applicants can express their interest through the Expression of Interest process and gain access to mentors and feedback whilst undertaking their applications.
More information can found by clicking here. Applications close on the 31 October 2015.
5. Grants to realise big ideas for agriculture from young rural innovators
Grant applications are now open for the 2016 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. If you’re 18-35, this is your chance to apply for a grant of up to $22,000 to fund your project on an innovative or emerging scientific issue that will benefit Australia’s primary industries.
The Science Awards encourage young scientists, researchers and innovators with original projects that will contribute to the ongoing success and sustainability of Australia’s agricultural, fisheries and forestry industries. The Science Awards have already helped more than 200 young Australians make their ideas a reality and showcase their talent to the world.
Interested? Here are the next steps:
•read the information for applicants to check your eligibility, and the FAQs
•understand what each Science Award partner is seeking by reading their profiles and visiting their website
•discover what projects were successful in the 2015 round of the Science Awards
•start your application today using the application form!
Applications close 5pm AEDT Friday 09 October 2015
6. Upcoming events
- QRRRWN State Conference 2015, Biloela 3-5 September. For more details click here.
- Post weaning drought strategies – On farm feedlotting workshop, ‘Chelmer’ Nindigully 7th September. To register contact: alex.stirton@daf.qld.gov.au
- Information session about a proposed business group in the Maranoa region, Bungil Creek Motel, Roma 9.30am 7th September. For more information or to register your interest please contact Ian McLean Bush AgriBusiness on 0401 118 191 or Joanne Herley via email admin@babusiness.com.au
- The group concept is based on an established model where profit focussed businesses within a broad geographic region, work together to understand and improve their own individual business performance.
- The session will be for less than 2 hours and will provide you with sufficient information to be able to make an informed decision on whether you think it would be of benefit to your business. There will be no obligation as a result of attending.
- Focusing on the Future workshops – To register or for more information contact Heather Smith on 0428 712 985 or pastoralprofitqld@gmail.com
- Tuesday 8th Sept: Quilpie
- Wednesday 9th Sept: Charleville
- Monday 21st Sept: Jundah
- Tuesday 22nd Sept: Longreach
- Wednesday 23rd: Blackall
- Thursday 15th October: Bollon
- Friday 16th October: Eulo
- Queensland Weed Symposium, Longreach 14-17 September. For more information click here.
- Friend a Farmer Twilight Dinner & Art Exhibition, Bollon Saturday 26th September. Contact Amy Gunn for tickets or for further information phone 0488 040 559 or email friendafarmer@gmail.com. Click here to view flyer and entry form.
- Woolpoll Roadshow – Register by calling the AWI Helpline on freecall 1800 070 099 or emailing awiroadshow@wool.com with your name and the venue you will be attending.
- Tuesday 29th September 8am to 11am, Stockman’s Hall of Fame Longreach
- Wednesday 30th September 8am to 11am Charleville RSL Club
- South West NRM Caravan of Collaboration – for more information or to register please contact Darren Jennings on rlf@swnrm.org.au or
call 07 4656 8500.- Wednesday 7th October – Morven
- Friday 9th October – Charleville
- Tuesday 13th October – Quilpe
- Thursday 15th October – Tambo
- Sheep Health and Disease Investigation workshops, Stanthorpe 13th October and Warwick 14th October. For more information contact Alex Stirton on 0428 109 620 or alex.stirton@daf.qld.gov.au
- Nutrition EDGE workshop, Augathella 13-15 October. click here to view the flyer or contact Desiree Jackson on 0409 062 692 or desireejackson@bigpond.com.
- Bonus offer 1: $200 rebate to each registered participant if 15 people attend the workshop
- Bonus offer 2: a free diet quality (F.NIRS) analysis (not including P analysis) for the first 8 properties that register and you can choose to go through your results in more detail at the workshop.
7.eBulletins
AWI Woolgrowers’ eNewsletter – August 2015
AWI Weekly wool market review – week ending 28 August 2015
Beyond the Bale – September 2015
Qld Innovative Sheep Network Newsletter – August 2015
Sheep Central – 31 August 2015