Around the Camp: Increasing national ewe flock, grazing resilience and GroWQ Copy

  1. Australia’s blooming ewe flock for spring
  2. Building Grazing Business Resilience
  3. GroWQ Innovation Expo, Longreach
  4. Flow on benefits from the National Wild Dog Action Plan
  5. Upcoming Leading Sheep events
  6. Upcoming events
  7. eBulletins and podcasts

Australia’s blooming ewe flock for spring

Australia’s breeding ewe flock has grown by 500,000 ewes since last year according to Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and the Australian Wool Innovation’s (AWI) recent Wool and Sheepmeat Survey Report June 2022. This brings the total breeding flock to 42.5 million head, of which Merinos account for 72%.

Pure bred Merinos comprised 55% of the total lamb flock, with 12 million of the 22 million lambs  reported by Australian producers.

With strong seasonal conditions forecast for the eastern states, producers are looking to maintain current flock numbers (60% producers) or increase numbers (27%). Of those producers looking to increase their ewe flock, 60% plan to retain more replacement ewes than normal and 35% will purchase more additional ewes than normal.

The triannual MLA and AWI Wool and Sheepmeat Survey collects sheepmeat and wool industry livestock numbers and captures producer intentions to provide forward-looking information that supports producer decision-making. Read more about the findings from MLA or Sheep Central.

Back to the top

Building Grazing Business Resilience

Leading Sheep south regional coordinator Noel O’Dempsey recently attended a Business Resilience and Drought Preparedness day in Goondiwindi.

A series of such days are being rolled out across the state by DAF to build awareness of the change in drought assistance and how to access drought preparedness grants with a Farm Business Resilience Plan. These sessions include an interactive component to reflect on learnings from drought.

Participants at the session in Goondiwindi were rewarded with a great discussion of the issues surrounding drought. The most challenging aspect of managing drought was predominantly maintaining mental health and mindset whilst the things producers would not do again centred around the timeliness and evaluation of decision making. The aspects of drought management that worked well included progressive destocking and identifying business opportunities.

Noel’s key takeaways from the day were discussions around identifying business opportunities during drought and storing money when the seasons are good, which reinforced the learnings explored in Leading Sheep’s drought series.

Over the coming months DAF will be hosting various information sessions, pop-up offices, webinars and workshops to assist producers in understanding the new drought policy and getting started on their own Farm Business Resilience Plan. Dates for these events will be advertised in this newsletter, the Leading Sheep Facebook page and FutureBeef events calendar. Contact your local extension officer for further information.

Back to the top

GroWQ Innovation Expo, Longreach

Last Tuesday 23rd August the central west grassroots organisation GroWQ held an agriculture Innovation Expo in Longreach followed by a networking dinner.

GroWQ partnered with AgForce to deliver an event that showcased a range of products, innovations and projects available to producers. The event was well attended with 135 registrations, 25 trade displays and 30 speakers from across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Livestock innovation, connection, money and new opportunities were covered by presenters.

Leading Sheep committee members in attendance included regional coordinator Ingrid Miller, David Counsell, Jim King and north & central west extension officer Millie Nicholls. Ingrid and Millie took the opportunity to introduce Millie, provide an update on the project, provide a snapshot of the Barcaldine producer demonstration site group and encourage producers to tell us what extension activities are of interest.

Visit the GroWQ Facebook page to review photos and talks from the day and learn more about GroWQ from their website.

Back to the top

Flow on benefits from the National Wild Dog Action Plan

Small stock producers are about to see the value-added benefits made possible by the National Wild Dog Action Plan (NWDAP).

Widespread investment in cluster fencing across the state is paying off for Queensland sheep and goat producers with the industry to receive $4 million in grants over two years to capitalise on fencing investment. 

The co-contribution Rural Agricultural Development (RAD) grants of up to $200,000m per business, developed and managed by Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA), will assist businesses looking to develop a new market or expand existing capabilities within the supply chain. Whilst the expressions of interest for round one closed 31st July 2022, future rounds of funding will be available. Click here for more information about QRIDA’s RAD grants scheme or view an informative webinar hosted by Leading Sheep here.

Decades of proactive and collaborative nil tenure wild dog management has opened up opportunities for producers as the state flock continues to grow. The economic benefit from the NWDAP strategy has been valued at $6.10-$16.50:1 return on investment for dollars invested in wild dog control. Access to state funding to diversify and build post-farmgate opportunities is one such indirect benefit of investment in wild dog control.

Read more from the National Wild Dog Action Plan.

Back to the top

Upcoming Leading Sheep events

  • 5 September: DIY Worm Egg Counts, Bollon. For more information and to register click here.

Back to the top

Upcoming events

  • 31 August: What’s your plan? Augathella. Delivered by SQL. For more information and to register click here.
  • 1 September: SIQ Grains industry update, Meandarra. Delivered by AgForce. For more information and to register click here.
  • 2 September: SIQ Grains industry update, Roma. Delivered by AgForce. For more information and to register click here.
  • 6 September: Queensland’s New Drought Assistance, webinar. Delivered by FutureBeef and Beef Central. To register click here.
  • 9 September: Ag & Tech Show, Quilpie. Delivered by Quilpie Shire Council. For more information contact Dale Stevenson 0447 434 665.
  • 14 September: Biosecurity awareness and business continuity, St George. For more information and to register click here.
  • 14 September: Business workshop: Cyber awareness and business continuity, St George. For more information and to register click here.
  • 15 September: Biosecurity awareness and business continuity, Roma. For more information and to register click here.
  • 15 September: Business workshop: Cyber awareness and business continuity, Roma. For more information and to register click here.
  • 20 September: Financial best practice: Positioning yourself for success, Roma. Delivered by AgForce. For more information and to register click here.
  • 22 September: Tools for agricultural business, webinar. Delivered by Queensland Farmers Federation and Jobs Queensland. To register click here.
  • 21 September: Financial best practice: Positioning yourself for success, Morven. Delivered by AgForce. For more information and to register click here.
  • 28 September: RCS Field Day, Jericho. Delivered by RCS. For more information and to register click here.

Back to the top

Podcast, eBulletin and Surveys

 

Back to the top. 

Leave a comment