Around the Camp: Rainfall poster, forecast training, wool price, flystrike research,carbon

  1. Quick picks: Rainfall poster, forecast training, wool price, flystrike research, carbon
  2. Deep dive – Improving what you know.
  3. Upcoming events
  4. Podcasts, eBulletins and surveys

Quick picks

Rainfall poster map alert: Have you seen the big Australian rainfall map ? Do you want to compare the industry conditions and the resulting pasture growth across the years? Well you are in luck, high-resolution versions are now available online.  Click here to scroll through the rainfall and drought patterns from 1890 to 2024 and the pasture growth and industry conditions within each period.

May be an image of map and text

Confused by the forecast? The Northern Australian Climate Program (NACP) has got you covered, with a recently introduced Climate Training Course. These short online modules cover important climate drivers for Northern Australia and how to effectively use forecasting tools. Take the opportunity to increase your forecasting skills to better manage for seasonal variability. Access the training modules by clicking here.

Wool prices straight to your phone: Sign up to AWI’s daily market updates, as well as a more detailed weekly report. Click here and make sure you tick the ‘I would like to receive market updates via SMS’ option.

Flystrike research. A chemical-free method of controlling flystrike in sheep is a step closer, according to University of Queensland research. Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation Research Fellow Dr Karishma Mody and PhD candidate Yunjia Yang are using RNA inference to combat sheep blowfly. You can read the full story by clicking here. The research has shown it is possible to use RNA inference  to stunt the growth of the larvae and potentially killing them. You can read the full paper by clicking here.

A yarn about carbon and wool. In this episode of AWI’s The Yarn podcast, we hear from Richard Eckhard, Professor of Livestock production at Melbourne University, who not only breaks down the carbon debate into common language but has good news in terms of trading and the future with biodiversity. Click here to listen to the podcast.

New fact sheets. The Leading Sheep team has produced a collection of new fact sheets  focusing on Mitchell grass: How Mitchell Grass Pasture Composition Influences Sheep Productivity and Mitchell Grass Pasture Changes Within and Between Years. Alternatively, you can click here to find all the Leading Sheep factsheets and technical media releases.

 

Back to the top

Deep dive – Improving what you know.

What do you think about when low profits or high workload in wool enterprises is discussed? Some may think a change of enterprise is in order.My colleague recently shared a report that AWI commissioned John Francis of Agrista to write, ‘Why stay in wool sheep? Improving what you know delivers more value than moving to what you don’t’. In this issue’s Deep Dive, I’ll highlight some of the examples John provided as to why this is the case.

But first, let’s reflect on a recent Leading Sheep post, which has attracted some attention.

 “When wool was a pound a pound, it is still talked about in hushed and reverent tones in the wool industry.” In simple terms, without adjusting for inflation or any other economic factors, what does it mean today? One pound (1950s money) buys one pound (weight) of wool. One pound (weight) is equal to 0.453 kgs. Therefore, one pound (1950s money) buys 0.453kg of wool. According to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s Pre-Decimal Inflation Calculator, goods purchased for one pound (1950s money) would cost $61.45 in 2023, meaning with $61.45, you can buy 0.453kg of wool.

Feedback from some of our subscribers suggested that while this information is interesting, we shouldn’t dwell on the past. Instead, we should focus on opportunities to improve going forward.—‘How do woolgrowers get better returns for their wool now in the present day?’ and ‘Is anyone talking about the effectiveness of wool harvesting, sheep management and breeding quality for better financial returns?’ These are valid points. Some of these statements are addressed by John Francis in this report.

My key takeaways from the report are that wool enterprises have experienced less profit volatility compared to specialist meat enterprises. Additionally, they have delivered solid operating profits when compared to other breeding livestock enterprises over the past 5 years. So, what can you do to improve on what you already know? While everyone’s situation is different think about the following:

  1. Opportunities to improve wool flock profits exist even when wool prices are low, but they require a change in conventional thinking.
  2. Wool enterprise managers can start by measuring financial and production performance to identify the greatest rewards available at the lowest cost.
  3. Examine the feed supply curve and align energy demands to it throughout the year.
  4. Simplify operations within the system and examine infrastructure for opportunities to deliver higher levels of labour efficiency.

These points are obvious. I hear you saying. I agree. It is so obvious that at times it can escape us or get lost in the day-to-day busyness.

The report noted that consideration also needs to be given to hidden costs when considering moving from wool, as these can be significant.

While the report focuses on the economic value of wool sheep against other enterprises one must also consider the broader value of doing what you love, and working with what your country has to offer (rather than against or across it). Often the most successful business is not determined simply by stock type or class but if those in the business enjoy working with the stock that they have and are fully invested in doing it as well as they can.

The report goes into far more detail than what I have summarised above, but don’t take my word for it, read it yourself here . At 12 pages it is not too long and has some useful, practical tips on meeting the challenges of wool growing and what to consider if moving to a new enterprise. If you have some questions AWI is holding a webinar on  Thursday, 3 October with John Francis to discuss the detail of his independent analysis of the profitability of wool-growing enterprises, ‘Why stay in wool sheep?’, and to answer questions after the presentation. Click here to register for the webinar.

This is a good segway to remind you that WoolPoll is now open and will be until 1 November. Eligible woolgrowers will be able to vote on the levy rate paid to AWI for industry research, development and marketing. The 4 levy rates to be considered are 0%, 1%, 1.5% (current rate) and 2% of the sale price woolgrowers receive for their shorn greasy wool.

Click here to find out what each levy rate means for the prioritisation, reduction or withdrawal of investment across affected marketing, research, development and extension programs. Contact AWI on (02) 8295 3100 or visitfeedback@wool.com  if you have any questions

This month’s deep dive was written by Extension officer Sam Harwood.

Upcoming events

  • 15 October. Grazing fundamentals EDGE, Alpha. Delivered by RANGEIQ and DAF. For more information and to register click here.
  • 15 October. Pasture dieback information day, ‘Nalpa Downs’ Mitchell. Delivered by DAF. For more information and to register click here.
  • 16 October. Pasture dieback information day, ‘Ellangowan’ Augathella. Delivered by DAF. For more information and to register click here.
  • 16 October. Bet on Your Books, Begonia. Delivered by ConnectAg. For more information and to register click here.
  • 17 October. Bet on Your Books, Bollon. Delivered by ConnectAg. For more information and to register click here.
  • 17 October. Pasture dieback information day, Blackall Saleyards. Delivered by DAF. For more information and to register click here.
  • 17 October. Grazing fundamentals EDGE, Longreach. Delivered by RANGEIQ and DAF. For more information and to register click here.
  • 29 October. Livestock, carbon and sustainability, Cunnumulla. Delivered by DAF. For more information and to register click here.
  • 30 October. Livestock, carbon and sustainability, Charleville. Delivered by DAF. For more information and to register click here.
  • 31 October. Livestock, carbon and sustainability, Quilpie. Delivered by DAF. For more information and to register click here.
  • 13 November. What’s your plan? Workshop, Thargomindah. Delivered by DAF. For more information and to register click here.
  • 14 November. What’s your plan? Workshop, Wyandra. Delivered by DAF. For more information and to register click here.

Podcasts, eBulletins and surveys

Survey: Drought and Climate Adaptation Program Research

Phillips Group, funded by the Department of Environmental Science, is researching producers’ experiences with planning for drought, including the farm business resilience plan approach. Your participation will help shape future support services for drought and climate resilience and farm management planning. Phillips Group is seeking 70 primary producers from across Queensland who have and have not create farm management plans to participate in a 90-minute interview. Find out more here if you are interested.

Back to the top. 

 

Leave a comment