November 2011 - Australian White Suffolk Association

AWSA NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 2011
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great breed for busy lifestyle
young handlers competition
adelaide show results
melbourne show results
perth show results
hamilton sheepvention results
PUBLISHING DATES
CLOSING DATES
april issue
- 28th february
august issue
- 30th june
november issue
- 30th september
ADVERTISING RATES
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DISCLAIMER
members are advised that advertisements, information and opinions printed in this
newsletter are not necessarily those of the association or its members.
COVER PHOTO
2011 royal adelaide show photo courtesy of ian turner, superior selections.
half page $198.00
half page $230.00
FEDERAL COUNCIL 2011 2012
PRESIDENT
julie wiesner “glengarry”
ph/fax 02 6029 6141 rmb 113 walla walla NSW 2659
email glengarryws@bigpond.com
VICE PRESIDENT
andrew frick “gypsum hill”
ph 08 8765 6005 po padthaway sa 5271
email andrew.frick2@bigpond.com
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
steve milne “waratah”
ph/fax 03 5578 6327 po box 15, branxholme vic 3302
email waratahwhites@bigpond.com
COMMITTEE
murray long “pendarra”
ph/fax 02 6975 7210
ardlethan NSW 2665
e mdlong@bluemaxx.com.au
ian gilmore “tattykeel”
ph 02 6336 3566 265 baringa
foleys rd, oberon NSW 2787
e baringa@harboursat.com.au
allan piggott “illoura”
ph/fax 08 8572 3998
po box 234, tailem bend sa 5260
e allansue@illoura.com.au
peter button “ramsay park”
ph 08 8853 2130
po box 103 minlaton sa 5575
e ramsaypark@internode.on.net
dale moore “penrise”
ph 03 6260 4313
po box 6, campania tas 7026
e penrise@bigpond.com.au
co-opted WA member
warren thompson “hedingham”
ph 08 9888 7196
po box 151 wickepin wa 6370
e hedingham@harboursat.com.au
craig mitchell “gemini”
ph/fax 03 5238 9599
610 urches rd, werneth vic 3352
e craig.mitchell8@bigpond.com
SECRETARIAT
nikki ward - ra&hs of sa
ph 08 8210 5230 fax 08 8231 4173 po box 108, goodwood sa 5034
e nward@adelaideshowground.com.au
DATA MANAGEMENT & NEWSLETTERS
sue piggott - bizboost
ph 08 8572 4470 37 princes hwy, tailem bend sa 5260 fax 08 8572 4018
e info@bizboost.com.au
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
AUSTRALIAN WHITE SUFFOLK ASSOCIATION FEDERAL COUNCIL PRESIDENT
JULIE WIESNER
Welcome to the November edition of the AWSA Newsletter.
The Spring Show season is drawing to a close and it has been a tremendous
year for White Suffolks. Congratulations to all exhibitors at the shows who
have presented an exceptional line-up of sheep. I would like to thank the
Judges who have given their time to judge.
White Suffolks have won:
Supreme Allbreeds Exhibit at Dubbo Show
Supreme Shortwool Exhibit at Bendigo Show
Supreme Shortwool Exhibit (Ram) at Hamilton Sheepvention
Supreme Allbreds Exhibit at Adelaide Royal
Supreme Lamb Production Group at Adelaide Royal
This feat will be hard to repeat.
On the commercial front, prime lamb prices have continued to remain buoyant, which should led to good flock ram sales.
However, the limiting factor may be the reasonably short supply of ewes to produce prime lambs. This has led to producers
using ewes other than the traditional First Cross ewe (Border Leister/ Merino) and Merino ewe as prime lamb mothers. There
has been increased interest in the use of Merino cross White Suffolk ewes and White Suffolk ewes as prime lamb dams. We can
all encourage these options by using the media to promote successful producers using White Suffolk and White Suffolk cross
ewes.
As the end of the year approaches, final planning is underway for the 2012 National Conference to be held in Hadspen, Tasmania
(12th-15th February). This will be a great opportunity for AWSA members to mix with fellow breeders, listen to informative
speakers and help shape the future of the White Suffolk Breed. So mark these dates on your calendar to attend and enjoy this
great event.
Finally, I would like to wish everyone a very safe and happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year.
Regards
Julie Wiesner
Photo courtesy of Ian Turner
3
SECRETARY’S REPORT
NIKKI WARD
Due to an error in production a portion of the Secretary’s report was accidently omitted from the August Newsletter. I have
included in italics below points still of relevance from this report for your reference:
AWSA NATIONAL CONFERENCE – Apology
An oversight on my behalf resulted in the omission of Troy, Nette and Brian Fischer in the National Conference acknowledgements
of the April newsletter.
My apologies to Troy, Nette and Brian – your hard work certainly didn’t go unnoticed, particularly the work Troy put into
developing what was probably one of the best conference programs to date. The AWSA appreciates the time and effort you
(and the rest of the Committee) put into the event.
ANNUAL RETURNS & MEMBERSHIP
The Annual Return / Membership Subscription process is now complete and all members should receive a copy of the 2011
Flock Register shortly. Approximately 60% of members utilized WebManager for the Annual Return process. It is pleasing
to see the efficiency of the online database reflected through the reduced amount of time spent entering and chasing data.
A reminder that is it imperative for you to include your total ewe numbers and rams used for the year with your return. This
information is necessary for the Flock Register and is required to be submitted each year regardless if your information changes
or not. Thank you to those that promptly completed their stud return and to those that continue to utilize WebManager.
PROMOTIONAL BROCHURES / BUMPER STICKERS
AWSA Promotional Brochures and Bumper Stickers are available to members for promotional use and can be requested from
the Secretariat. Members can be provided with up to 25 brochures (one-sided colour) and 5 bumper stickers free of charge.
Additional brochures can be downloaded and printed from the AWSA website, and additional stickers can be supplied at a
cost of 50 cents per sticker. Should you require any promotional material, please do not hesitate to contact the Secretariat.
2012 NATIONAL CONFERENCE – Tasmania
Included with this newsletter is information regarding the
2012 National Conference to be held in Hadspen, Tasmania
from 12th – 15th February. It would be fantastic to see
as many members as possible take up the opportunity to
attend and support our Tasmanian members. Registrations
are NOW OPEN and I encourage you to take advantage of
the substantial early bird discount available for registrations
received before 12th December.
FACEBOOK
The AWSA has now joined Facebook as an additional
networking tool for the breed and its members. I encourage
you to access and “like” our facebook page to stay in touch
with news, photos, milestones and events. The page can
be accessed via the link www.facebook.com/whitesuffolks
or by typing “Australian White Suffolk Association” in your
facebook search.
2011 SALE RESULTS
A reminder that sale results can be submitted for display on
the AWSA website. Visit www.whitesuffolk.com/saleresults
to upload your information.
PROMOTIONAL CLOTHING / AWSA VEST ORDERS
The AWSA Vests are now available to members in 3XL and
5XL sizings.
UPCOMING SHOW DATES & JUDGING TIMES
I encourage members to support the White Suffolk breed at
the following upcoming royal shows across the states.
Royal Canberra Show
Should you be placing an order, I remind you that stock is no
longer held in the office. Please make sure you think ahead
and allow at least 14 days for your order to be processed
and received.
Wagin Woolarama
Royal Sydney Easter Show
24th – 26th February 2012
9th & 10th March 2012
5th – 18th April 2012
As this is our last newsletter for 2011, I take this opportunity to wish you all an enjoyable and safe Christmas and New Year
break. The AWSA Office will be closed from 5:00pm Friday 17th December and re-open 9:00am on Monday 2nd January 2012
during this time.
Regards, Nikki
4
....tasmanian produce fete and dining at the Red Feather Inn........ time for fishing on the South Esk river.....
....golf at quamby estate ........ breakfast on the launs of Entally Estate and winery......
...and it’s all tax deductible!...
2012 White Suffolk Conference
TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY 12TH WEDNESDAY 15TH FEBRUARY 2012
in Hadspen, Tasmania
We would like to invite all members and their families to join us for the
2012 White Suffolk conference. Many conference regulars have already
indicated they plan on combining it with a Tassie holiday before or after the
conference.
We hope you can join us
Also learn about:
• ‘Go the whole hogget’-new cuts & cooking
demos.
• New Sheep CRC/MLA/Lambplan updates.
• New WS products & marketing.
• Ring craft & judging.
• What lamb & ram buyers actually want-hands
on.
• Lots more: stay in touch via the White Suffolk
web site & facebook.
NEW MEMBERS SINCE NOVEMBER 2010
FULL MEMBERS:
FLOCK NO
PREFIX
NAME
LOCATION
773
774
775
776
777
778
779
780
781
782
783
784
785
786
787
788
789
790
791
792
793
BURRAPARK
BALGILLE
WARRINA
LIDDERSDALE
BON-VUE
YADDRA
BERKLEY
ALINTA
NOREMAC
LONSDALE
GLENTANNA
TARONGA PARK
KATTATA WELL
SARUKE
KINBILLY
YENDORA
GEO-AK
MALLEE DALE
RYEFIELD
WOOLUNDRA PARK
KANIMBLA PARK
Jessica Hayes & Luke Harding
Boyup Brook, WA
Harvey & Susan Parker
Baxter, VIC
Vivian & Rosemarie Pearce (Booligal Park Pastoral Company)
Lake Boga, VIC
Terrence & Janice Wright
Temora, NSW
Eric & Susan Patterson
Katanning, WA
Chloe Fyfe
Lake Cargelligo, NSW
Joe & Tina Hoban
Rowan, NSW
Gordon & Pam Oliver
Ross Creek,VIC
Dean Cameron & Mandy Meulman
Englefield, VIC
Simon & Eric Beer
Neilrex, NSW
Adam & Michelle Lehmann (AML Agriculture P/L)
Caramut, VIC
Tom Munro
Hynam, SA
Leroy & Rohan Hull (GV Hull Nominees P/L)
Streaky Bay, SA
John & Janene Fraser (Lower Eyre Peninsula Feedlot)
Port Lincoln, SA
Patrick Mulqueeney
Forbes, NSW
Rodney & Sara Morgan
Lameroo, SA
Brook & Cody Seal
Kimba, SA
Warwick & Jessica Crawford
Crystal Brook, SA
Brazier Family Trust (Ryefield Holdings)
Armidale, NSW
Lindsay & Jacki Marsh
Karlgarin, WA
Shannon Jaeschke
Hamilton ,VIC
REACTIVATED:
127
PARAPARAP
Donna & Michael Dacres-Mannings
Batesford, VIC
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
RJ & MJ Addis, Aubin Grove, WA
photo courtesy julie klante
AWSA MARKETING 2011
Samples of adverts placed in the
Rural Press this year:
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Your Federal Committee is always keen to hear feedback about
their advertising campaigns, new ideas for the future and in
particular good editorial pieces about stud and commercial
producers using White Suffolk genetics that can be used in the
Rural Press, on our website or on our Facebook page.
So please send your ideas to nward@adelaideshowground.com.au
STL1
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7
GREAT BREED TO SUIT BUSY LIFESTYLE
TERRY SIM, 13 SEP, 2011 04:00 AM
White Suffolks are the sheep breed for a woman with a busy
lifestyle - just ask Alisha Adams at Kyneton.
Alisha, 28, established her Kookaburra Park White Suffolk
Stud in 2007 and now sells about 45 rams a year.
She said the breed was easy lambing and early maturing with
good fertility and mothering ability.
They have to be; Alisha also runs her own hairdressing
business in Kyneton and helps out with the family’s transport
business and a horse training-agistment centre.
“I went into breeding White Suffolks because of their carcase
muscling, easy care and hardiness,” she said.
“They have been a great sheep with a lot of great benefits.”
This included the breed’s marketability for producing terminal
white-faced lambs and its suitability for maternal production.
Alisha achieves more than 150 per cent lambs marked
from her stud ewes every year with the assistance of CIDRs
(Controlled Internal Drug release) to synchronise oestrus.
“I often yard mate, which is good for condensed lambing,”
Alisha said.
“I’ve lambed three times this year, but the lambing only lasts
for a week.
“Because I am working full-time as well, this saves me having
to spend six weeks worrying what is going on in the paddock.
Spring-drop ewe lambs that make it to 50 kilograms in their
first autumn are joined for a spring lambing, which has been
good for increasing the rate of genetic gain in the flock, she
said.
Up to 80pc of the ewe lambs have conceived most years, with
up to 130pc lambs marked from the pregnant ewes.
“I find them quite good little mums; I’ve never had any
problems with them rejecting lambs,” Alisha said.
Alisha started breeding sheep when she was 12 years old, but
always had an interest in Suffolks and the meat industry.
Her first sheep were Suffolk and Suffolk-cross ewes, with their
black-faced lambs sold to generate pocket money.
“I’ve found that really successful, it hasn’t really affected
conception or lambing rates.
“With Dad having the transport business and working around
the saleyards a fair bit, I bred a few lambs and I would always
sell my own lambs to buy Christmas presents and things like
that,” she said.
“I like the ewes to lamb just once in a year, but I do early join
and I did some artificial insemination in July this year.
“The reason I went into the White Suffolks was because of
their marketability.
“So anything that didn’t get in lamb, and the young ewes, I
rejoined to lamb in spring.
“I know when I was selling the black-faced lambs I got annoyed
with losing money ($10-$15 a lamb discount) because of their
skin colour.”
“They get two chances (before 18 months of age) and if they
don’t get in-lamb then they are out.”
Alisha puts a high selection emphasis on twinning in the stud
flock with ewes pregnancy scanned to identify twins for better
nutrition, but good ewes that have single lambs are retained.
“I find people putting a White Suffolk ram over first-cross
ewes want twins, but a lot of the Merino breeders don’t
always want too many lambs,” she said.
8
Her Kookaburra Park White Suffolk stud started with 16 ewes
from the Weaver family’s Catumnal stud.
“My interest in White Suffolks was born and I went on to
purchase ewes from leading studs and have bred up to 100
breeding ewes,” she said.
The purchase of a Booloola stud ram owned by the Baker
family at Baringhup, along with continuous support and
assistance, has been a tremendous help in starting the stud,
she said.
“The whole idea at the moment is that I am holding back a
fair number of ewes so that I can, when I get the opportunity
to get some land, have a flock of ewes to breed lambs for
market,” she said.
The sires of the 2010-drop rams for sale include Booloola
080122 and Detpa Grove 080026.
Having a commercial White Suffolk ewe flock would also allow
more intense pressure on stud ewes to perform, she said.
The lambs being dropped this year are by Kookaburra 090060
and Gemini 090298.
“White Suffolks are a great breed and still on the way up the
success ladder,” Alisha said.
Alisha scans all her sheep for Lambplan, vaccinates the flock
for Ovine Johne’s Disease and has a brucellosis-free accredited
flock.
“They suit my busy lifestyle and give me great enjoyment.”
She enjoyed producing sheep that would perform in the
paddock, saleyards and in the show ring.
Kookaburra Park sheep have done well at local shows and
last year showed the novice ram class winner at Hamilton’s
Sheepvention, but Alisha is more focussed on breeding
performance-proven sheep that work well under commercial
conditions.
“I’m looking forward to breeding White Suffolks with good
muscling that aren’t too lean,” she said.
“I’m not going to change what I’m breeding to win in the show
ring.”
Her breeding also aimed to balance muscle and fat to help
Kookaburra Park sheep perform under cold, harsh conditions.
APOLOGIES
DUBBO SHOW RESULTS
Last newsletter the winner of the Champion Ewe at Dubbo
was published incorrectly – it should have been listed as
Dugald McIndoe of “Smithson” Smithson Farms P/L.
“Being from a quite cold area, I’ve found that the leaner sheep
just don’t do as well – our winters are fairly nasty,” she said.
Alisha might seem busy enough, but she is also studying to
get here professional woolclassing certificate and with her
partner, shearer Sam McRae, hoped to expand onto a bigger
property to run a commercial White Suffolk ewe operation for
prime lamb production, as well as the stud flock.
She said pure White Suffolks and White Suffolk-cross ewes
were under-appreciated as commercial prime lamb mothers.
“I can’t see any fault in them in being commercial ewes,
probably the only downside is you don’t quite have the wool
quality of a first-cross mother,” she said.
The loss of wool quality and quantity would be compensated
by getting a heavier, more muscled White Suffolk lamb off to
the market earlier, she said.
Pictured here is Dugald McIndoe with his Reserve Champion
Ram and Champion White Suffolk Ewe.
9
YOUNG HANDLERS COMPETITION
2011 ROYAL ADELAIDE SHOW
CAITLIN SHILLABEER, WINGAMIN WHITE SUFFOLK STUD
This year I participated in, and won, the White Suffolk Junior
Handlers competition at the 2011 Royal Adelaide Show.
This was one of three new classes for White Suffolks at the
Royal Adelaide Show and was sponsored by Gemini White
Suffolk Stud. The competition was open for 10-18 year olds
and participants were judged on their attire, sheep handling
skills and courtesy shown to officials and other exhibitors
throughout the day’s judging.
I initially hadn’t thought about entering the competition but
a last minute phone call from Dad at the showgrounds on
Thursday afternoon convinced me I should “have a go” since
It was the only chance I would have of being eligible to enter
(being 18) and I was intending to hold the sheep at the show
anyway.
I went about the day’s competition as I normally would
without feeling any extra pressure of being watched and
judged. I wasn’t even aware of who was judging us.
Being amongst the ribbons in every class we entered kept
me busy and out on the judging floor most of the day so I
probably had a little more advantage over some of the other
competitors in regards to exposure.
I was particularly thrilled to win the first ram class with
this ram going on to win Reserve Senior Champion. He was
only 152 kgs (nearly 3 times my weight) so very pleased he
behaved for me! I had helped prepare and halter train him
and all our show team this year and held the rams at Bendigo
and Hamilton so I felt very confident and at ease with handling
the rams out on the judging floor.
I have always had a real passion for our stud from a young age
and sheep work is second nature to me.
The other great achievement for me on the day was exhibiting
the Champion Ewe who went on to take Supreme White
Suffolk Exhibit.
Sunday’s supreme judging went equally as well with that ewe
taking the Supreme Maternal and Prime lamb Breeds Ewe
award and our Breeders Group also winning Supreme All
Breeds Group.
It capped off a wonderful showing that I’ll never forget.
I would like to encourage all young members to become
involved and take part in next year’s Junior Handlers
competition and thank Craig and Rosalie Mitchell very much
for sponsoring this class.
10
Judge Pete Naldner with Caitlin Shillabeer from Wingamin
Stud. Caitlin was the winner of the White Suffolk Junior
Handlers competition holding the Champion Ewe at the
2011 Royal Adelaide Show.
WHITE SUFFOLKS CELEBRATE
20 YRS AT ADELAIDE SHOW
BY PAULA THOMPSON AND LOUISE PREECE
The White Suffolk breed celebrated its 20th anniversary
at the Royal Adelaide Show with record entries and
exhibitors.
There were 451 entries, 76 up on last year, while there
were 42 exhibitors, 12 up on last year. And despite red-hot
competition from other breeders, Clive and Deb Shillabeer’s
Wingamin stud at Karoonda, SA, took out the supreme
exhibit and most successful exhibitor. It was the fifth year
in a row the couple have won most successful White Suffolk
exhibitor. They also won the breeders group, reserve
champion ram and sires progeny group.
The Shillabeers won the supreme exhibit with their champion
ewe, which weighed 103.5 kilograms, 49-millimetre eye
muscle depth and figures of 15.5 for post weaning weight,
-1.2 for post-weaning fat and 13.8 post-weaning EMD. The
same ewe also went on to win champion shortwool ewe and
supreme champion prime lamb and maternal breeds ewe
in the interbreed competition on Sunday. The Shillabeer’s
champion ewe and reserve champion ewe, with a ram which
won the supreme all breeds shortwool exhibit at Hamilton,
also won the supreme all breeds group.
Tattykeel principal Ian Gilmore, Oberon, has been showing
at Adelaide since 2007. He has exhibited every year since,
with the exception of 2009 when he judged at the show.
“Over the last few years we’ve seen dramatic growth in the
White Suffolk breed,” he said. Mr Gilmore, whose stud was
established in 1999, was rapt to receive grand champion
ram. “It makes the 14-hour drive to get here well worth
the trip,” he said. The ram also went on to take out reserve
champion shortwool ram in the interbreed competition.
Victorian breeders, the Donnan family, Anden, Woomelang,
also had their trip made worthwhile, taking out junior
champion ram. “The junior champion caught my eye early
on,” Mr Nalder said. “He paraded very well, is well-balanced
with good muscle, and handled extremely well.”
Judge Peter Nalder said the Shillabeer’s champion ewe and
reserve champion ewe were stand-outs in the White Suffolk
judging. “I remember when the ewes came out in the class,
they stood exceptionally well and were just beautiful ewes,”
he said. Mr Nalder said he was impressed by the champion’s
meat quality. “She looked like a perfectly well-balanced
sheep,” he said. Mr Nalder said quality of the White Suffolks
right across the board was excellent. “The quality of the
breed keeps going from strength to strength,” he said. “The
Royal Adelaide Show is recognised at the ultimate White
Suffolk show right across Australia.”
The Shillabeers have been breeding White Suffolks for 23
years, showing at the Royal Adelaide Show for 16 and said
this year was one of the best line-ups. “It was an excellent
competition, there’s some really outstanding sheep here,”
Mr Shillabeer said. It was their third successive supreme
ewe win in the interbreed competition. This tops off a
great year for the couple who also took out most successful
exhibitor at Bendigo and Hamilton this year.
NSW stud Tattykeel, Oberon, were the other star performers,
taking out grand champion ram with a 14-month-old that
weighed 131kg, with 50mm EMD and 8.5mm fat. Mr Nalder
said the champion ram stood out in its class. “There’s just a
lot of things right about him,” he said. “He’s got meat there
in all the right places and is a solid boned sheep.”
Celebrating 20 years of showing at the
2011 Royal Adelaide Show
were Geoff Gale, Galaxy Park (back left), exhibitor of the first
Champion Ram in 1991; Barry Lang, first White Suffolk judge;
and Ian Turner, Renrut, exhibitor of the first Champion Ewe.
They are pictured with Brayden Gilmore, Tattykeel, holding
the 2011 Grand Champion White Suffolk Ram, and Caitlin
Shillabeer, Wingamin, with the 2011 Champion White Suffolk
ewe and Supreme Champion White Suffolk exhibit.
Photo courtesy Deb Shillabeer
11
ROYAL ADELAIDE SHOW RESULTS 2011
SEPTEMBER 2011, ROYAL ADELAIDE SHOWGROUNDS
GRAND CHAMPION RAM
Class 229 Ram under 1½ years.
Born during April, in the yr prior to the show
Shorn - untrimmed
SUPREME ALL BREEDS GROUP
Class 232 Pen of Two Rams.
April - June drop
1. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
1. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
2. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
2. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
3. “Bundara Downs” S & R Funke
3. “Illoura” RV Piggott & Son
4. “Gemini” C & R Mitchell
4. “Hayelle” H & M Whittlesea
5. “Days Whiteface” L & L Day
5. “Illoura” RV Piggott & Son
6. “Somerset” L & K McCrae
Class 230 Ram under 1½ years.
Born during May, in the yr prior to the show.
Shorn - untrimmed
1. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
2. “Tattykeel” I & D Gilmore
3. “Glenarbian” I & B Nitschke
4. “Windy Hill” M Smart
5. “Kurralea” B & L Prentice
6. “Windy Hill” M Smart
Class 231 Ram, under 1½ years.
Born during June, in the yr prior to the show
1. “Tattykeel” I & D Gilmore
2. “Gemini” C & R Mitchell
3. “Glengarry” JA & JR Wiesner
4. “Anden” A & D Donnan
5. “Leahcim” A & R Michael
6. “Spring Valley” R & S Keen
6. “Glengarry” JA & JR Wiesner
Class 233 Ram, under 1½ years.
Born during July, in the year prior to the show
1. “Anden” A & D Donnan
2. “Wheetelande” I & R Neill
3. “Burwood” I & J Pfeiffer
4. “Bundara Downs” S & R Funke
5. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
6. “Waratah” S & D Milne
Class 234 Ram under 1½ years.
Born on or after 1 August, Shorn - untrimmed
1. “Tattykeel” I & D Gilmore
2. “Somerset” L & K McCrae
3. “Anden” A & D Donnan
4. “Anden” A & D Donnan
5. “Leahcim” A & R Michael
6. “Wheetelande” I & R Neill
Class 235 Pen of Two Rams.
July - September drop
1. “Somerset” L & K McCrae
2. “Leahcim” A & R Michael
3. “Tattykeel” I & D Gilmore
4. “Anden” A & D Donnan
5. “Illoura” RV Piggott & Son
12
CHAMPION EWE & SUPREME CHAMPION
PRIME LAMB & MATERNAL BREEDS EWE
INTERBREED CHAMPION LAMBPLAN
PRODUCTION CLASS WINNERS
Photo courtesy of the Stock Journal
Class 236 Ram Lamb
Class 240 Ram Lamb Performance Class
1. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
1. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
2. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
2. “Wheetelande” I & R Neill
3. “Bundara Downs” S & R Funke
3. “Wheetelande” I & R Neill
4. “Wheetelande” I & R Neill
4. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
5. “Ramsay Park” P & J Button
5. “Bundara Downs” S & R Funke
6. “Bundara Downs” S & R Funke
Class 237 Pen of Three Rams under 1½ years
Class 241 Ewe over 1½ years with lamb at foot
1. “Rene” D I & S Mitchell
1. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
2. “Hayelle” H & M Whittlesea
2. “Tattykeel” I & D Gilmore
3. “Ramsay Park” P & J Button
3. “Bundara Downs” S & R Funke
4. “Gemini” C & R Mitchell
5. “Rene” D I & S Mitchell
6. “Leahcim” A & R Michael
Class 238 Coles class for White Suffolk
1. “Ramsay Park” P & J Button
2. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
3. “Somerset” L & K McCrae
4. “Tattykeel” I & D Gilmore
5. “Illoura” RV Piggott & Son
6. “Newbold Studs” B Close
Class 239 Lamb Production Class.
1. “Ashmore” R B & R J & T M & J I Fischer
2. “Illoura” RV Piggott & Son
3. “Spring Valley” R & S Keen
4. “Waratah” S & D Milne
5. “Leahcim” A & R Michael
Class 242 Ewe under 1½ years
Born between 1 April and 31 May
1. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
2. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
3. “Illoura” RV Piggott & Son
4. “Windy Hill” M Smart
5. “Koonawarra” M & J Grossman
6. “Wheetelande” I & R Neill
Class 243 Ewe under 1½ years
Born between 1 June and 31 July
1. “Wheetelande” I & R Neill
2. “Glengarry” JA & JR Wiesner
3. “Wattle Park” J & M Jamieson
4. “Booloola” S & A Baker
5. “Wheetelande” I & R Neill
6. “Glenarbian” I & B Nitschke
6. “Burwood” I & J Pfeiffer
13
Class 244 Ewe, under 1½ years
Born after 1 August, in the year prior to the Show
Class 249 Sire’s Progeny Group
1. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
1. “Wheetelande” I & R Neill
2. “Tattykeel” I & D Gilmore
2. “Illoura” RV Piggott & Son
3. “Leahcim” A & R Michael
3. “Rene” D I & S Mitchell
4. “Bundara Downs” S & R Funke
4. “Wattle Park” J & M Jamieson
5. “Days Whiteface” L & L Day
5. “Wattle Park” J & M Jamieson
Class 245 Pen of Two Ewes under 1½ years
1. “Glengarry” JA & JR Wiesner
2. “Illoura” RV Piggott & Son
3. “Koonawarra” M & J Grossman
4. “Glenarbian” I & B Nitschke
5. D S & C J Ferguson & Sons
Class 246 Ewe Lamb
1. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
2. “Illoura” RV Piggott & Son
3. “Hayelle” H & M Whittlesea
SENIOR CHAMPION WHITE SUFFOLK RAM
1. “Tattykeel” I & D Gilmore
RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPION WHITE SUFFOLK RAM
1. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
JUNIOR CHAMPION WHITE SUFFOLK RAM
1. “Anden” A & D Donnan
RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPION WHITE SUFFOLK RAM
1. “Wheetelande” I & R Neill
GRAND CHAMPION WHITE SUFFOLK RAM
1. “Tattykeel” I & D Gilmore
4. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
5. “Wheetelande” I & R Neill
Class 247 Ewe Lamb Performance Class
CHAMPION WHITE SUFFOLK EWE
1. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
1. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
RESERVE CHAMPION WHITE SUFFOLK EWE
2. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
1. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
3. “Illoura” RV Piggott & Son
4. “Wheetelande” I & R Neill
5. “Wheetelande” I & R Neill
Class 248 Breeders’ Group
1. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
2. “Glengarry” JA & JR Wiesner
3. “Glenarbian” I & B Nitschke
4. “Wheetelande” I & R Neill
5. “Koonawarra” M & J Grossman
SUPREME CHAMPION WHITE SUFFOLK EXHIBIT
1. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
MOST SUCCESSFUL WHITE SUFFOLK EXHIBITOR
1. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
SUPREME ALL BREEDS GROUP
1. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
CHAMPION INTERBREED LAMB PRODUCTION TERMINAL
1. “Ashmore” R B & R J & T M & J I Fischer
SUPREME CHAMPION PRIME LAMB
AND MATERNAL BREEDS EWE
1. “Wingamin” C V & D C Shillabeer
14
SPRING INTO ACTION AND STOP WORMS
VET TALK, DR STEVEN LOVE, NSW DEPT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES ARMIDALE
PUBLISHED IN THE LAND, THURS SEPT 22, 2011
Spring is a great time for worms in livestock. Warmer
weather is around the corner and that with a bit of
moisture makes things better for both worms and grass.
A lot of sheep lamb in spring and in some areas, the
southern tablelands for example, this is a time of peak larval
availability, ie. pastures are wormy, unless you spent the
preceding six months preparing a low worm-risk lambing
paddock.
This also coincides with the pre-parturient relaxation of
resistance. That is, the time from just before lambing and for
several weeks after when ewes lose a fair bit of immunity to
worms. So, many farms could end up with wormy lambing
paddocks.
Rather than getting caught with your pants down, it
would be a good idea to do a worm egg count (WEC or
“WormTest”) on ewes and lambs, using fresh dung samples
from the paddock, just before you bring the ewes and lambs
in for marking.
In “normal” years and with good management, lambs
usually don’t have many worms at marking, but sometimes
things go awry. Don’t guess, WormTest.
You’ll probably have a build up of resistant worms on the
lambing paddock too, especially if you used a long-acting
wormer pre-lambing.
The idea is to stop resistant worms on the lambing paddock
from being moved elsewhere on the farm. You might double
check by doing a WormTest seven to 14 days after the cleanout or exit drench. Maybe the drench wasn’t as good as you
thought it was?
What about the paddock itself? You might think the best
thing is to put cattle on the lambing paddock for a while
after the ewes and lambs have left. While that will reduce
the number of sheep worms on the paddock, it won’t reduce
the number of worms that are resistant. So, better than
cattle is to use relatively wormy sheep that haven’t been
drenched for a while, the idea being that resistant worms
on the lambing paddock will be ‘diluted’ with drenchsusceptible or at least less resistant worms from the wormy
sheep. After that you can put cattle into the paddock to get
total worm numbers down.
It’s a bit late to talk much about lambing paddock
preparation, but we can mention weaner paddock
preparation. In most areas, paddock preparation for a
spring lambing takes about six months of keeping the
paddock basically sheep free because larvae on pasture die
off more slowly in cooler months.
But weaning may take place in warmer months of late spring
or summer, when larval death rates are higher. Depending
on how warm it is, it may take from two to 4 months of
keeping the weaner paddock sheep free in order to get
worm numbers down ready for the weaners.
So, what you need is an exit strategy.
When ewes and lambs are moved off the lambing paddock
at weaning, give them a clean out with a drench that is
highly effective and unrelated to the one used pre-lambing.
photo courtesy Julie Klante
15
Issue
First Issue!
Issue 9, September 2011
Have your say through SCA.
Real
Relevant
Results
Sheepmeat producers from
around Australia sit on the
Council making decisions
that deliver results to the
industry as a whole.
SCA works on policy issues
at the national level that
matter most to your
profitability and
sustainability on-farm.
With close industry ties here
and overseas plus a strong
relationship with the
Federal Government, SCA is
positioned to represent and
promote your interests.
We are sheepmeat producers too.
From the President
Ovine Johne’s Disease (OJD) has been one of the most
contentious and divisive sheep industry issues I’ve had to
contend with in my role as President of Sheepmeat Council.
As a sheep producer myself, I find this totally baffling as I will
do everything I can to keep this insidious disease off my
farm, and if I do get it, will do everything I can to minimise
what can be potentially huge production losses. I know there
are many producers out there who feel the same as me but
there are also many out there with their head in the sand
making it hard for all of us.
Over the past 9 months, an extensive review of the current
OJD Management Plan has been undertaken. The review is
important to ensure the program remains relevant to
producer needs for managing and controlling the disease and
also benefiting the sheep industry as a whole.
SCA in conjunction with WoolProducers (WPA) and Animal
Health Australia engaged independent consultants to assess
all aspects of the program; seeking input from individual
producers, producer organisations, veterinarians, state
government representatives through to stock agents. The
findings of the first stage of the review have been
summarised in a public discussion paper.
Prior to the commencement of the
review, one of Sheepmeat Council’s
stipulations was that all sheep
producers should be given the
opportunity to put their views forward
on the best strategy to manage OJD
nationally. I understand there are
varying views among producers and
that is why we want to hear from you.
All producers need to do is read the
discussion paper available on
www.ojd.com.au then complete the
brief survey. The survey will remain
open until 21 October, if you have any
problems accessing the internet please
call 0431 753 071 and a hard copy will
be sent to you.
I urge everyone involved in the sheep
industry to have your say on the future
management of OJD.
Kate Joseph, President
About SCA
SCA is the prescribed industry
body for the nation’s
sheepmeat producers
under the Australian Meat and
Livestock Industry Act 1997.
SCA scrutinises the
performance of, and strategies
to be pursued by, levy funded
bodies, Meat & Livestock
Australia (MLA), Animal Health
Australia (AHA) and the
National Residue Survey (NRS).
SCA provides practical policy
advice at the farm and industry
level to the Federal Government.
It’s imperative producers have
input into the Government’s
policy-making process and this is
made possible through SCA with
your input.
SCA is funded by membership
subcriptions paid by State Farmer
Organisations and through the
industry activities it performs for
all sheep and lamb levy payers as
part of the Red Meat Advisory
Council (RMAC).
CONTACT:
Sheepmeat Council of Australia
PO BOX E10 Kingston ACT 2604
T: 02 6273 3088
F:02 6273 4479
E:sca@sheepmeatcouncil.com.au
e1
Sheep health monitoring at abattoirs
Tips for managing OJD
shedding but research has
demonstrated that a
percentage of sheep will
continue to shed the bacteria
even once vaccinated.
Producers with the disease in
their flock successfully
manage infection by
integrating vaccination and
biosecurity practices such as
monitoring for disease and
All stock that come onto your
purchasing sheep with a
property should be accompanied higher Assurance Based Credit
by a Sheep Health Statement.
score.
Whether they are replacement
When adult sheep are sent to
ewes, rams or even sheep for
agistment, you should insist on a the abattoirs you can request
your line is inspected for OJD.
Sheep Health Statement to
There are a number of
assess the health status of the
abattoirs that routinely
sheep before they cause a
inspect sheep to support the
problem in your flock. Sheep
OJD Prevalence Areas but
Health Statement’s contain
producers can also ask for this
important information on the
Assurance Based Credit score of to happen. It is useful if you
the sheep which should always need additional Assurance
be higher than your flock status. Based Credit points or want
feedback on the health status
The Sheep Health Statement
of a mob. You can also ask
also has key information on
your veterinarian to test your
other production limiting
sheep on-farm if you suspect
conditions such as footrot and
your flock is infected or if you
treatments for internal
want to know if the infection
parasites.
rate is decreasing.
Vaccinating your sheep with
Gudair® is a very important part
of managing the spread of the
disease within your flock. It is
very effective in reducing
mortalities and the level of
If OJD is a condition that has to
be managed on your property or
you want to minimise the risk of
infection to your flock, currently
there are a number of options
available to suit your needs.
Some of these options are
discussed briefly here but for
further information visit
www.ojd.com.au.
The National Sheep Health
Monitoring Project commenced
in 2007, evolving from the OJD
abattoir monitoring program
where an opportunity was
identified to collect information
on other diseases.
The monitoring project has two
aims, firstly to provide animal
health status reports to
individual producers and
secondly, collect information
that can be used by producers,
industry groups, processors and
governments to support ongoing
market access.
farm.
The project currently operates
in selected abattoirs across
Australia but only NSW and
South Australian producers are
receiving reports through their
state department of primary
industry. Discussions are
underway on the future of the
project and possibly expanding
into other abattoirs so all sheep
producers can benefit from the
information. We also need to
encourage other state
departments to distribute
feedback to producers.
There are up to twenty different
SCA COUNCIL
animal health conditions
monitored in the project such as
liver fluke, arthritis, sheep
measles, cheesy gland and
hydatids. The conditions were
Kate Joseph Ian McColl Da
David
David
d Boyle
Boyl
oyle
le
selected based on productivity
President Vice President Treasurer
loss and export market
VFF
NSWFarmers PGA of WA
sensitivities.
Producers may not be aware
that these conditions are present
in their flock and subsequently
IIan
Alexander James Jackson
resulting in losses at the
Feldtmann MacLachlan NSWFarmers
abattoirs through partial or full
VFF
SAFF
condemnations. If producers are
aware that the conditions are
occurring in their flock, they can
be managed or prevented onSubscribe to SCA e-newsletter!
sheepmeatcouncil.com.au
Scott
Mark Murphy Ron Cullen
Executive Anderson
AgForce
TFGA
Director
Tips cont….
Market Assurance Programs are a voluntary individual flock program that
allows producers to gain greater recognition for their flock status. The
SheepMAP score also contributes to the ABC scoring system by individual
flock testing.
For further information visit www.ojd.com.au
Sheepmeat Council in conjunction with WoolProducers and MLA continue to
invest in research and development to improve the management of OJD. In the
short term, research projects are aiming to deliver a safer vaccine and
improved diagnostic techniques.
WE NEED YOUR INPUT!
Visit www.ojd.com.au to have you say on the
future management of OJD. Simply read the
discussion paper available on the website and fill
out a brief survey.
SCA state member organisations
ROYAL MELBOURNE SHOW RESULTS 2011
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2011, MELBOURNE SHOWGROUNDS
RAM under 1 1/2 years shorn untrimmed born between 1st
April and 31st May, year prior to the Show.
1. R & L Collins
2. I J & P R Kyle
RAM under 1 1/2 years shorn untrimmed born between 1st
June and 31st July in the year prior to the Show.
1. R & L Collins
2. Deppeler Suffolks
3. I J & P R Kyle
4. Yanco Agricultural High School
5. St Pauls College
RAM under 1 1/2 years shorn untrimmed born after 1st
August in the year prior to the Show.
1. I J & P R Kyle
Pen of 2 Rams under 1 1/2 shorn untrimmed born between
1st July or after, in the year prior to the Show.
1. St Pauls College
RAM LAMB dropped after 1st April year of Show (Dams not
to be exhibited).
1. I J & P R Kyle
LAMB PRODUCTION CLASS, TWO RAMS UNDER 1 1/2,
SHORN.
1. St Pauls College
EWE, over 1 1/2 years, shorn, untrimmed, with lamb at foot.
1. St Pauls College
EWE under 1 1/2 years shorn untrimmed born after 1st June
and 31st July in the year prior to the Show.
1. Deppeler Suffolks
2. Yanco Agricultural High School
3. St Pauls College
4. Yanco Agricultural High School
18
EWE under 1 1/2 years shorn untrimmed born after 1st
August in the year prior to the Show.
1. R & L Collins
PEN OF TWO EWES under 1 1/2 shorn untrimmed.
1. St Pauls College
BREEDERS GROUP OF 1 RAM AND 2 EWES under 1 1/2 years,
animals to be drawn from Ordinary classes and to be bred
by Exhibitor.
1. R & L Collins
2. Yanco Agricultural High School
3. St Pauls College
SIRE’S PROGENY GROUP, to consist of 3 sheep, under 1 1/2
years, to be sired by one nominated sire.
1. R & L Collins
2. I J & P R Kyle
3. St Pauls College
MOST SUCCESSFUL EXHIBITOR AWARD
1. R & L Collins
CHAMPION WHITE SUFFOLK RAM, any age.
1. R & L Collins
RESERVE CHAMPION WHITE SUFFOLK RAM.
1. R & L Collins
CHAMPION WHITE SUFFOLK EWE, any age.
1. R & L Collins:
RESERVE CHAMPION WHITE SUFFOLK EWE
1. Deppeler Suffolks
EWE MANAGEMENT & BODY WEIGHT AT JOINING
BOB MARCHANT, FORMER LIVESTOCK OFFICER SHEEP & WOOL
FEBRUARY 2007 | PRIMEFACT 332 | REPLACES AGFACT A4.0.23
Lamb marking percentage is one of the factors determining
the success and profitability of a sheep enterprise for
either Merino or prime lamb production.
Farmers will consider many factors when choosing a joining
date. These could include:
• when the season breaks or dries off in the district;
• markets for early prime lambs;
fat score unit in Merino ewes at joining results in about 13
extra lambs born per 100 ewes joined.
There is considerable variation between flocks in this
response so it is important to determine if this response is
profitable for any given flock.
Producers wishing to ensure high lamb-marking percentages
should target a fat score 3 for their ewes at joining.
• fitting in with crop enterprises;
• the likelihood of supplementary feeding in winter in late
pregnancy;
• weather conditions at lambing.
Early weaning will make consideration of all these factors
easier.
High body weight or increasing fat score/body weight at
joining can ensure a high lamb-marking percentage. When
lambs are weaned by 14 weeks, it gives more scope for
ewes to regain any body weight or fat reserves lost during
lactation.
Ewes joined at high static weights and at fat score 5, and
who maintain this fat score throughout gestation, are likely
to experience difficult births and pregnancy toxaemia.
Daylength – effect on ovulation
Body weight is not the only factor affecting ovulation. The
time of year is also important. Decreasing daylength triggers
breeding activity, that is, the oestrus cycle. Also, studies
with Merino sheep show that higher ovulation rates occur in
autumn. Research has shown that 33 per cent more Merino
lambs were weaned per ewe joined in autumn compared
with lambs weaned per ewe joined in spring.
Fat score and body weight at joining
Static body weight is body weight measured at any one
point in time. Dynamic body weight measures changes in
body weight.
If weaning has been early, ewes will have regained body
reserves and achieved high static body weight before
pasture deteriorates in quantity and quality over summer.
Body weight usually declines later in autumn but an early
break in the season will see a dynamic increase in body
weight. Recent research has shown that change in fat score
(dynamic weight) before and during joining had little effect
on conception rates. The fact that they reached the joining
target was more important than wether they were gaining
or losing fat score.
An increase of 1 fat score unit will correspond to an increase
in body weight of 7–8 kg, regardless of frame size. One extra
High conception rates are therefore a combination of
factors including the date of joining in relation to seasonal
feed supply.
• Early weaning gives ewes the potential to regain body
weight but also relies on this date in relation to the break
in the season or drying-off of the season.
• Ewes joined in December in southern NSW rely on high
body weight/fat score to give multiple ovulation coming
out of spring, as daylength is not yet decreasing.
• Ewes joined in February in southern NSW may have a
lower static body weight and lower fat score; they benefit
from decreasing daylength.
• Provided an early autumn season break, ewes joined
in April benefit from a dynamic increase in both body
weight and fat score as well as from positive effects from
decreasing daylength.
Twin scanning
Ultrasound scanning allows ewes bearing single lambs to be
managed, reducing the incidence of difficult birth through
overfeeding in late pregnancy. Ultrasound scanning can also
be used to determine time of lambing, similarly to the ram
harness; however, throughput is slower during the scanning
process.
Identification of twin-bearing Merino ewes by ultrasound
scanning will allow selection of paddocks that provide
better nutrition for these animals in late pregnancy. This will
improve the weight and quality of fleece on their progeny
through effects on the ratio of secondary to primary follicles
throughout their lifetime.
FOR HOMEWORK, A CLASS IN NSW
WERE ASKED TO DRAW
THEIR PARENTS AT WORK....
THIS IS JESSICA’S
DRAWING:
Twin-bearing ewes ideally should be lambed in groups of
less than 250. By managing twin-bearing ewes separately,
from scanning at 90 days to lamb marking or weaning,
similar growth rates can be achieved for twin lambs as for
single-born lambs.
Use of twin scanning and the ram harness facilitates early
weaning and thus the regaining of ewe body condition
before the next joining.
Where scanning for twin-bearing ewes is practised,
nutritional management of those ewes before lambing is
made easier by regular fat scoring to ensure adequate body
fat reserves for late pregnancy and lactation. Target fat
score during pregnancy should be 3 score. Overfat ewes (4
to 5 score) in late pregnancy eat less and are likely to suffer
pregnancy toxaemia. Reducing the fat score of these ewes
to 3 between days 90 and 120 will increase their lambs’
birth weights and likely survival.
Ewes of fat score 2 or less have insufficient body fat reserves
for successful lactation. It is difficult and uneconomic
to change ewes from 2 to 3 score in late pregnancy by
supplementation. The desired fat score of 3 for pregnancy
should be achieved soon after joining.
HERE'S THE LETTER THE TEACHER
RECEIVED THE NEXT DAY:
Dear Mrs. J,
I wish to clarify that I am not now, nor have I
ever been, an exotic dancer.
I work at Bunnings and I told my daughter how
hectic it was last week after the floods hit.
I told her we sold out every single shovel we had
and then I found one more in stock and several
people were fighting over who would get it.
© State of New South Wales through NSW Department of
Primary Industries 2007
ISSN 1832-6668
Replaces Agfact A4.0.23
Her picture doesn't show me dancing around a
pole. It's supposed to depict me selling the last
shovel we had in the store.
Check for updates of this Primefact at:
www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/primefacts
From now on I will remember to check her
homework before she hands it in.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication
is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of
writing (February 2007). However, because of advances in
knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that
information upon which they rely is up to date and to check
currency of the information with the appropriate officer of
New South Wales Department of Primary Industries or the
user’s independent adviser.
Sincerely, Erica
LEGS AND PASTERNS
Age: Over 4 months.
When: Anytime, ideally at classing.
Legs/Feet is a combined trait. It refers to the overall soundness of the front and back leg and feet structure, in particular the
orientation of the legs/feet and angulation of the hocks and pasterns in relation to the feet.
How to score: A single score of 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. The highest score across the leg and feet components of all four legs is recorded.
Rule of thumb: If the stance, hocks and pasterns of the back legs and feet are ‘very good’ (Score 1), but the pasterns of the front
legs are ‘very poor’ (Score 5), then Score 5 is the overall score recorded for the trait.
Legs/Feet
Score 1
Score 3
Score 5
SCORE 1:
SCORE 2:
SCORE 3:
SCORE 4:
SCORE 5:
Very Good: good
width of stance;
straight legs that stand
squarely over the feet;
moderate hock and
pastern angulation.
Good.
Average: significant
hock angulation,
and/or legs and feet
orientating slightly
inwards or outwards,
and/ or slightly ‘weak’
pasterns.
Poor.
Very Poor: extreme
angulation of hocks,
and/or legs orientating
inwards with hocks
touching or ‘bowed’
outwards, and/or very
‘weak’ pasterns.
21
HOW TO FOLLOW AUSTRALIAN SPAM EMAIL LAWS
Everybody hates spam, and while it seems there is no way
to avoid the annoying messages, they are currently being
made illegal around the world.
It is now illegal to send unsolicited messages (which account
for around 40% of all internet traffic) to people. Doing so
can attract fines of up to $1.5 million per day.
Under the Spam Act 2003 it is illegal to send, or cause to be
sent, unsolicited commercial electronic messages. The Act
covers email, instant messaging, SMS and MMS (text and
image-based mobile phone messaging) of a commercial
nature. It does not cover faxes, internet pop-ups or voice
telemarketing.
If your business uses any form of e-marketing, including
email, SMS (text message), MMS (image-based text
messages) or instant messaging, you must understand and
meet the following three key requirements of the Spam Act:
1. CONSENT - the message must be sent with the recipient’s
consent. The recipient may give express consent, or
under certain circumstances consent may be inferred
from their conduct or an existing business or other
relationship.
2. IDENTIFY - the message must contain accurate
information about the person or organisation that
authorised the sending of the message and how to
contact them.
3. UNSUBSCRIBE - the message must contain a functional
‘unsubscribe’ facility to allow the recipient to opt out
from receiving messages from that source in the future.
Unsubscribe requests must be honoured within five
working days.
You cannot email prospective customers unless express or
inferred consent already exists. You need to gain consent
through other means, such as a letter, a phone call or a faceto-face conversation.
EXPRESS CONSENT
When an individual or organisation first provides their email
address, and you plan to send them a commercial electronic
message, you must first get their express consent.
Express consent can be gained in a variety of ways - for
example by filling in a form, ticking a box on a website, over
the phone, face-to-face or by swapping business cards - as
long as the recipient is clearly aware that he or she may
receive commercial messages in the future.
INFERRED CONSENT
If an organisation has a strong business relationship with the
holder of an electronic address – for example, the address
holder is a member of a club, a subscriber to a service,
or a client it deals with on an ongoing basis – consent to
receiving messages from that organisation may be inferred.
The Australian White Suffolk Association feel they
have inferred consent from all members who have
provided the Secretariat with their email address
and so they do from time to time send emails to
members.
These email addresses along with all other contact
details are published in the Flock Book and online so
that potential clients or fellow members can get in
contact with you easily. It has been assumed that if
you do not want these details published, then you
will let us know.
The AWSA will NEVER pass on the list of members’
email addresses to anyone by any other means, as
this would be a clear breach of the Spam Act.
RESOURCES TO FIND OUT MORE:
Australian Communication and Media Authority:
http://www.spam.acma.gov.au
22
SENDING MASS EMAILS
RESPONSIBLY
WITHOUT DISCLOSING RECIPIENTS
Once you have either Express or Inferred Consent to send
out mass emails, then it is VERY IMPORTANT, that you do
not add all their email addresses in the TO box of your email.
How to Keep Email Recipients Undisclosed?
This then means that everyone else will be able to see these
email addresses.
Next time you send out a mass-email...
What is Bad About Disclosing Recipients?
If these email addresses are visible then any of the recipients
in that list could:
1.
Get their email accounts hacked and misused for
marketing purposes (spam) – so everyone’s email
address is captured and then used for spam emails.
2.
Catch a trojan horse on their PC that harvests email
addresses to send out spam to all the other recipients.
We all have the right to have our email address to be
protected from these predators. We all get enough junk
mail now, so let’s make sure we don’t increase it!
The concept is simple and done in three easy steps:
1. put all recipients in the BCC (blind carbon copy)
field of your email software/ client/ interface. (see
image - area labellled a.) The recipients in BCC will
not be revealed. Nobody but the sender (you) can
see all of the recipients and their email addresses
(Note – if the BCC does not appear automatically when
you go to write a new email, click the To button and you
can then add the email addresses in the BCC box that
appears).
2. Put your own email address in the TO field of your email
software/ client/ interface. (see image - area labelled
b.) This way, the email has one disclosed recipient (the
sender’s email, which will be disclosed anyway) and
many other undisclosed recipients.
3. Write and send your email. Done.
b
a
23
PERTH ROYAL SHOW RESULTS 2011
OCTOBER 2011, CLAREMONT SHOWGROUNDS
CHAMPION AND RESERVE CHAMPION RAMS
NOVICE RAM.
1. 1. SASIMWA Glenn Cole
RAM 2 years old and over.
1. 1. SASIMWA Glenn Cole
2. 2. Brimfield Stud Max Whyte
3. 3. Valencia Downs Gordon Smith
RAM. Under 1 ½ year old.
1. 1. Wesswood Stud MP & Julie Klante
CHAMPION AND RESERVE CHAMPION EWES
RAM LAMB.
1. 1. Yanda White Suffolk Stud J T & S J Argent
2. 2. Yundabine White Suffolks D Elson
3. 3. Kiara Lockridge Senior High School
NOVICE EWE. Any age,to be bare shorn and bred by the
Exhibitor.
4. 1. Ambergate Jenny Roberts
EWE. 2 year old and over.
2. 2. Brimfield Stud Max Whyte
5. 1. Brimfield Stud Max Whyte
3. 3. Ridge Top D Carter
6. 2. Kiara Lockridge Senior High School
7. 3. Kiara Lockridge Senior High School
RAM. Under 1 ½ year old.
1. 1. Brimfield Stud Max Whyte
EWE. Under 1 ½ years.
2. 2. Ridge Top D Carter
8. 1. Brimfield Stud Max Whyte
3. 3. Ridge Top D Carter
9. 2. Valencia Downs Gordon Smith
10. 3. Iveston Stud G R & D J Bingham
RAM. Under 1 ½ year old.
1. 1. SASIMWA Glenn Cole
EWE. Under 1 ½ years.
2. 2. Brimfield Stud Max Whyte
11. 1. Banksia Plains T J & M L Stone
3. 3. Jocklor L J & L Page
12. 2. Iveston Stud G R & D J Bingham
13. 3. Hedingham WD&BM Thompson & Sons
PAIR OF RAMS. Under 1 ½ years.
1. 1. Brimfield Stud Max Whyte
PAIR OF EWES. Under 1 ½ years.
2. 2. Banksia Plains T J & M L Stone
14. 1. Yanda White Suffolk Stud J T & S J Argent
3. 3. Jocklor L J & L Page
15. 2. SASIMWA Glenn Cole
16. 3. Banksia Plains T J & M L Stone
RAM LAMB.
1. 1. Kiara Lockridge Senior High School
2. 2. Ridge Top D Carter
3. 3. Yundabine White Suffolks D Elson
24
EWE LAMB. Autumn born before 31 May in year of
competition.
17. 1. Valencia Downs Gordon Smith
18. 2. Ridge Top D Carter
LINEUP WITH JUDGE IAN TURNER
EWE LAMB. Winter born on/after 1 June in the year if
competition.
1. 1. Stockdale L J, J K & B J Fairclough
2. 2. Jocklor L J & L Page
3. 3. Ridge Top D Carter
CHAMPION RAM
13. SASIMWA
RESERVE CHAMPION RAM
14. Brimfield Poll Dorset Stud
CHAMPION EWE
GROUP CLASS - RAM AND TWO EWES. To be under 1 ½ year
old.
4. 1. Brimfield Stud Max Whyte
5. 2. SASIMWA Glenn Cole
6. 3. Yanda White Suffolk Stud J T & S J Argent
GROUP OF THREE WHITE SUFFOLK RAMS. To be under 1 ½
years.
7. 1. Ridge Top D Carter
15. Brimfield Stud
RESERVE CHAMPION EWE
16. Banksia Plains
CHAMPION EWE LAMB
17. Kiara
SUPREME CHAMPION WHITE SUFFOLK EXHIBIT
18. SASIMWA
8. 2. Brimfield Stud Max Whyte
9. 3. SASIMWA Glenn Cole
PROGENY GROUP. To be drawn from any Class.
10. 1. Brimfield Stud Max Whyte
11. 2. Yanda White Suffolk Stud J T & S J Argent
12. 3. Jocklor L J & L Page
25
DIVERSIFICATION INTO LAMB PRODUCTION
HAS PAID OFF
MAIN POINTS
• Successful Merino stud diversifies into lamb production while maintaining
their large Merino genetic pool
• Introducing White Suffolks has overcome lambing problems and introduced
consistency and early finishing
• Stronger Merino ewes joined to terminal sires
• Initial lambing and finishing problems were overcome with genetic selection
Medium wool Merino ewes with lambs
at Hilton Heath where White Suffolk
rams have introduced lambing ease and
earlier finishing.
Over four decades of successful Merino
stud breeding provided an excellent
platform for diversification into prime
lamb production for the Fiebig family
of Hilton Heath Merinos, now at Keith
in South Australia’s south-east.
But the move wasn’t easy at first with big
shoulders, big necks and slow finishing
impeding progress.
While not part of the initial switch, White
Suffolk rams now play an important role
especially over maiden ewes.
“We’ve never had to pull a lamb by a
White Suffolk,” said Matt Fiebig.
“We moved into prime lamb production
as a way of keeping our options open
because our country is suited to it and
we needed to take some hard business
decisions to make our operation
sustainable”, he said.
The Hilton Heath Merino stud was
founded at Mt Pleasant in the Adelaide
foothills in 1969 and a Poll Merino stud
was registered in 1981. These medium
wool studs are still thriving with major
successes at Adelaide Royal and Bendigo
(formerly Melbourne).
A Hilton Heath fleece was named the
‘Best Wool in the World’ at the World
Merino Conference in Tasmania in 1988
and in New Zealand four years later, a
Hilton Heath fleece was runner-up for
that prestigious award.
26
• The move has resulted in sustainability and profitability
• Lambs can be turned off 6 to 8 weeks earlier than most in the district
• Lambs weigh 51 to 53 kgs at 16 to 17 weeks and yield 49 to 50%
A move to the productive south-east 12
years ago enabled diversification into
prime lamb production. To-day 1400
Merino ewes are joined to Merinos
while 1000 of the stronger Merino ewes
are joined to Poll Dorsets and White
Suffolks. This means a large genetic pool
of Merinos is maintained.
“The initial move created management
problems and we had to put a lot of
work into finishing the lambs,” said Mr
Fiebig.
A trip to Adelaide Royal changed
this when the Fiebigs saw rams that
appealed to them.
“So we went to the Bundara Downs sale
and identified rams that appealed to us
visually and had the figures to suit our
program.
“This was a move that has made
management easier and has boosted
production and profitability.
“We weigh every lamb and we
discovered the progeny of the new rams
matured earlier, yielded a lot better and
weighed like lead,” he said.
“The clover, rye grass and natural
grasses plus the fast growing genetics
mean we can get our first draft of lambs
off six to eight weeks younger than most
in the district.
“Our lambs are weighing 51 to 53 kgs at
16 to 17 weeks and yielding 49 to 50%
with carcase weights in the 23 to 24 kg
range sold over the hooks, mainly to JBS.
The Fiebigs started off using Poll Dorsets
but as they observed a significant
improvement in White Suffolks, they
now buy rams of both breeds.
The Merino ewes that go to the terminal
rams are too strong ( 22 to 22.5 micron)
or too wrinkly to keep a ram lamb from.
“We look for a well shaped ram with the
good butt shape and length and we also
look for rams that are positive for fat
cover for use over the straight Merinos
- therefore we are often interested
in a slightly different rams to those
producers who are using first cross
ewes,” he said.
That works in the Fiebigs’ favour as
there is less competition for the rams
that suit their operation.
The sandy soils at Keith also mean rams
need good feet and legs.
“We usually need eight to 10 rams a
year so we usually pick out 25 rams from
the catalogue and rank them on figures
and then physically inspect them and
are most often able to buy the rams we
need from among our top selections”.
“The rams we buy now suit our purpose
perfectly. They breed consistently, are
above breed average in the important
traits, and as a group make us more
money,” says Matt Fiebig.
GOOD RAM PREPARATION CRUCIAL
ARTICLE WRITTEN BY MARY CRAWFORD, RURAL SOLUTIONS SA
PUBLISHED IN THE STOCK JOURNAL SEPT 22, 2011
Good ram preparation leading up to joining is essential to
ensure that ewes have the best chance to achieve optimum
conception rates and a tight joining and lambing period.
To increase percentages first you need to ensure you are
providing the best opportunities to conceive.
Rams need to be regularly checked for lameness, fly-strike,
fighting injuries and need to be in optimum body condition.
Performing a simple ram check on the five t’s before joining
can result in increased conception rates:
• Torso
• Teeth
• Toes
• Testes
• Tossle
The ram paddock should be easily accessible with adequate
shade, cool water and access to quality feed. Rams should
be in a good condition Score 3.5 (torso) at 2 months before
mating. Remember it takes seven to eight weeks to produce
mature sperm and to reach maximum fertility, so any
setbacks during this period can be disastrous.
It goes without saying that rams with poor teeth will have
a reduced ability to intake feed, may suffer nutritional
deficiencies and may be less fertile.
Poor hoof shape or abscess may also reduce the ability of
the ram to serve a ewe.
The epididymis tail of the testes should be large and firm
and of uniform size, not hard and diseased. A ram with
abnormal lumps or non-uniform testes should be blood
tested for ovine brucellosis.
A healthy, well-fed and sexually rested ram may hold up
to 100,000 million sperm, of which 75 per cent is stored
in the tail of the epididymis. Palpitation of the tail of the
epididymis can indicate the level of sperm reserves in an
individual ram. A small, soft tail indicates poor reserves of
sperm. There is a close relationship between testicular
size and sperm production. Rams with small testes may not
produce enough sperm throughout the joining period to
maintain good fertility.
Research has shown that improving the intake of protein
and energy with supplementary feed such as lupins for
two months before joining can increase testicle size and
subsequent sperm production by up to 100 per cent. Ideally
the scrotum should measure 30cm in a 2 year old or older
ram. Nutritional changes affect testicle size and sperm
production much more rapidly than is reflected in the live
weight and body condition which highlights the importance
of checking the ram’s reproductive soundness prior to
joining.
Check the ram’s tossle for damage. Damage can easily occur
during shearing and may result in a 10 per cent reduction in
productivity of the ram.
Environmental factors can also affect sperm production and
lead to temporary infertility. Heat stress can affect sperm
production and viability if the rams cannot keep the testes
cool during the eight weeks before joining. Hot weather
with temperatures over 32oC for long periods or very high
temperature over 38oC for short bursts can affect sperm
production. Mature sperm are less likely to be affected than
sperm in the developing stages. A ram that has suffered
heat stress before joining could successfully serve ewes with
the stored mature sperm (2-3 weeks) then there will be a
seven week delay before new, viable sperm is produced.
photo courtesy julie klante
27
HAMILTON SHEEPVENTION RESULTS 2011
JULY AUGUST 2011, HAMILTON SHOWGROUNDS
CHAMPION EWE & SUPREME EXHIBIT
Novice Ram
Somerset Trophy
GRAND CHAMPION RAM
Pen of 2 rams A-J drop
Elders trophy
1. “Sunnydale” A & R Weidemann
1. “Wingamin” C & D Shillabeer
2. “Sunnydale” A & R Weidemann
2. “Waratah” S & D Milne
3. “Sunnydale” A & R Weidemann
3. “Gemini” C & R Mitchell
4. “Waratah” S & D Milne
Ram U11/2 born April
Wakefield Park Trophy
1. “Wingamin” C & D Shillabeer
Ram U11/2 born July
Waratah Trophy
2. “Induro” G Treweek
1. “Waratah” S & D Milne
3. “Somerset” L & K McCrae
2. “Days Whiteface” L & L Day
4. “Hayelle” H & M Whittlesea
3. “Induro” G Treweek
5. “Waratah” S & D Milne
4. “Wingamin” C & D Shillabeer
Ram U11/2 born May
Deppeler Trophy
1. “Wingamin” C & D Shillabeer
5. “Glengarry” J & J Wiesner
Ram U11/2 b on/aft Aug1
Duenclin trophy
2. “Glenarbian” I & B Nitschke
1. “Somerset” L & K McCrae
3. “Bundara Downs” S & R Funke
2. “Laurel View”
4. “Wattle Park” J & M Jamieson
3. “Glengarry” J & J Wiesner
5. “Glenarbian” I & B Nitschke
4. “Hayelle” H & M Whittlesea
Ram U11/2 born June
Darlot park Trophy
1. “Gemini” C & R Mitchell
5. “Glenarbian” I & B Nitschke
Pen of 2 rams J-S drop
Westleigh Trophy
2. “Days Whiteface” L & L Day
1. “Somerset” L & K McCrae
3. “Gemini” C & R Mitchell
2. “Duenclin”
4. “Westleigh” I & D Porter
3. “Sunnydale” A & R Weidemann
5. “Waratah” S & D Milne
28
5. “Glengarry” J & J Wiesner
RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPION RAMS & JUNIOR CHAMPION
Ram Lamb
Catumnal Trophy
Ewe U 11/2 April-May drop
Woodbridge Trophy
1. “Omad” D Hawker
1. “Glenarbian” I & B Nitschke
2. “Hayelle” H & M Whittlesea
2. “Induro” G Treweek
3. “Wingamin” C & D Shillabeer
3. “Waratah” S & D Milne
4. “Induro” G Treweek
4. “Wingamin” C & D Shillabeer
Lamb Production Class
Nulkwyne Trophy & Advanced Livestock Services Prize
1. “Waratah” S & D Milne
5. “Wingamin” C & D Shillabeer
Ewe U 11/2 June-July drop
Bundara Downs Trophy
2. “Days Whiteface” L & L Day
1. “Glengarry” J & J Wiesner
3. “Waratah” S & D Milne
2. “Waratah” S & D Milne
4. “Westleigh” I & D Porter
3. “Glengarry” J & J Wiesner
5. “Somerset” L & K McCrae
4. “Wattle Park” J & M Jamieson
Novice Ewe
Hamilton Produce Trophy
1. “Sunnydale” A & R Weidemann
2. “Sunnydale” A & R Weidemann
5. “Wattle Park” J & M Jamieson
Ewe U11/2 b on/aft Aug1
Sunnydale Trophy
1. “Westleigh” I & D Porter
2. “Sunnydale” A & R Weidemann
Ewe over 11/2
Adalinda Trophy
1. “Wingamin” C & D Shillabeer
2. “Hayelle” H & M Whittlesea
3. “Omad” D Hawker
3. “Somerset” L & K McCrae
4. “Wattle Park” J & M Jamieson
Pen of 2 Ewes
Landmark Trophy
1. “Wattle Park” J & M Jamieson
2. “Glenarbian” I & B Nitschke
3. “Waratah” S & D Milne
4. “Glengarry” J & J Wiesner
29
GRAND CHAMPION RAM
Ewe Lamb
Hamilton Produce Trophy
1. “Wingamin” C & D Shillabeer
2. “Hayelle” H & M Whittlesea
3. “Hayelle” H & M Whittlesea
Sires Progeny Group
Gemini Trophy
1. “Wingamin” C & D Shillabeer
2. “Gemini” C & R Mitchell
3. “Waratah” S & D Milne
4. “Bundara Downs” S & R Funke
5. “Somerset” L & K McCrae
Breeders Group of 3
Doorland Trophy
1. “Wingamin” C & D Shillabeer
2. “Somerset” L & K McCrae
3. “Waratah” S & D Milne
4. “Glenarbian” I & B Nitschke
5. “Glengarry” J & J Wiesner
SENIOR CHAMPION RAM
Gypsum Hill Trophy
1. “Wingamin” C & D Shillabeer
RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPION RAM
AWSA Trophy
1. “Gemini” C & R Mitchell
30
JUNIOR CHAMPION RAM
South Barnolut Trophy
1. “Waratah” S & D Milne
RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPION RAM
AWSA Trophy
1. “Somerset” L & K McCrae
GRAND CHAMPION RAM
Detpa Grove Trophy
1. “Wingamin” C & D Shillabeer
CHAMPION EWE
Brecon Breeders trophy
1. “Wattle Park” J & M Jamieson
RESERVE CHAMPION EWE
LMB Linke Livestock Trophy
1. “Glenarbian” I & B Nitschke
SUPREME EXHIBIT
Hamilton ‘Spectator’ Prize
1. “Wattle Park” J & M Jamieson
MOST SUCCESSFUL EXHIBITOR
AWSA Trophy
1. “Wingamin” C & D Shillabeer
BALLARAT SHEEP SHOW RESULTS 2011
JULY 2011, BALLARAT SHOWGROUNDS
JUDGE JEFF JOHNSON
Champion White Suffolk Ram
1. “Geejay” G & J Davey Kerang
Reserve Champion White Suffolk Ram
1. “Fairburn” D & F MacDonald, Porcupine Ridge
Champion White Suffolk Ewe
1. “Booloola” P Baker Baringhup
Reserve Champion White Suffolk Ewe
1. “Westleigh” I & D Porter
Group of Three White Suffolk
1. “Booloola” P Baker, Baringhup
FARM WEEKLY, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2011 PAGE 93
31
tips
p & tools
ANIMAL PRODUCTION
Winning against seeds
Seed contamination is the cause of significant financial
losses for the sheep industry, for producers, processors
and the entire supply chain. Awareness of seeds and
proactive management of the issue are essential to
remain profitable and competitive.
Key benefits
• Understand the grass seed issue and become familiar
with the seeds affecting your sheep production system
• Increase productivity and profit by making better
management decisions to produce seed-free products
Why manage seeds?
Seed infested carcases can be downgraded by $1/kg
or $20 per carcase. In addition, seed contamination
can reduce sheep and lamb production, product
quality and animal health, leading to reduced financial
returns for primary producers. On top of this, further
losses are incurred throughout the supply chain, with
the potential to damage the image and value of the
Australian lamb industry.
“
“
Seeds are picked up in the animal’s fleece and within days
many of these seeds penetrate the skin and move into the
carcase. This causes considerable discomfort for affected
animals, reducing productivity and leading to the
production of downgraded products.
Seeds result in large economic losses not only to the processor but to the industry as a whole, and
the reputation of Australian product is damaged
- Roger Fletcher, Fletcher International Exports
Impact of seeds
During meat
processing
On-farm
•
Reduced growth rates
•
Poor fibre production and quality
•
During skin
processing
Trimming to
remove seeds
Reduced
throughput
Downgraded
product
Potential loss
of export
market
•
Puncture marks
•
Scarring
•
Abscesses
•
Loss of product
weight
•
Lower price
received
•
Lower price
received
•
•
Deaths due to infection, tetanus
and flystrike
•
•
Impeded reproductive
performance
•
•
Animals become more
susceptible to health problems
•
Physical damage to eyes, ears,
feet and mouth
•
•
•
Lower production levels
Lower quality product
Lower price
Wool sales
•
•
Industry
•
Increased
vegetable matter, •
seed and shrive
Lower price
received
Damaged image
Loss of
customers and
markets
• Influences supply
and demand cycle
• Affects price
1
Major weed contaminants of lamb, sheepmeat and skin in Australia
Source: DPI Vic
Brome grass
Source: Charels Grach, DPI Vic
Chilean needle grass
Barley grass
Source: Crop Weeds
Source: Greg Lodge, DPI NSW
Spear grass
Source: PIRSA
Silver grass
Wild geranium
Wire grass
Grass seed management strategy
A four-point plan has been developed to assist producers to understand their particular grass seed issue and a strategy
to tackle it.
Four-point plan to manage grass seeds
1. Develop an awareness of the grass seed issue
and its impact on the sheep industry
• Understand the potential scope of the problem
throughout the supply chain from the farm to the
end product.
• Identify problem plant species and their risk period.
2. Determine the impact and cost of seeds
to your business
• Monitor stock for seed infestation.
• Obtain feedback through a trial seed kill.
• Identify losses in production and profit as a
result of seeds.
2
3. Develop and implement a grass seed
management strategy
• Explore all management options available for seed
reduction and seed avoidance.
• Determine the most effective and profitable
strategies for your business.
4. Obtain feedback, monitor and review your
management strategy and make changes
where required
• Keep accurate records on key indicators so you
can measure your performance.
Management options
“
“
Seed awareness is now essential and producers
who do not find effective methods to manage the
problem will fall behind
- Peter Krupa & Peter Fowler, WAMMCO
There are a wide range of options available to manage
seeds in sheep and lamb production, however there is
no single management strategy that can be applied to
all situations. The key is to look at all the options available
and develop an integrated approach that is best suited
to your system giving you the most effective and
profitable outcome.
Short-term strategies focus on the current season; they
allow the production of grass seed-free products in the
current season but do not necessarily assist management
in subsequent years.
Reduction strategies are long-term; they tackle the
problem head-on by reducing weed seed set, hence
reducing the seed bank.
Avoidance strategies are short-term; they avoid rather
than control the problem, having no direct influence on
seed numbers. They are best used in support of long-term
and reduction strategies.
While seeds only pose a threat to livestock over a few
months of the year, your control program needs to be
a year-round focus. There is always something to consider
in relation to grass seed management regardless of the
time of year. Thinking about seeds only during the risk
period is inefficient and will not control the problem
in the long-term.
Common seed management strategies include:
• Grazing management – stocking density,
grazing rotation
• Agronomic management – pasture manipulation,
confinement crops, fodder conservation
• Stock management – feedlotting, genetics,
time of lambing
The production of feeder lambs can be a viable option if
you are unable to finish ‘clean’ lambs
Strategy
Short-term
Long-term
• Target market and turn-off time
Winter cleaning
The whole farm does not have to be seed free, just
enough clean paddocks (2–3) to get lambs through to
turn-off or to carry them through to stubbles or other
clean feed.
Grazing
•
Spray topping
and spray grazing
•
Irrigation
•
Feeder lambs
•
Crop rotation
✗
Genetics
✗
Pasture improvement
✗
Target market
✗
Flock structure/
lambing time
✗
Fodder conservation
•
Confinement/
forage crops
•
Feedlotting
•
Shearing lambs and
weaners
✗
Harrowing and
slashing
✗
Winter cleaning removes grass and broad leaf weeds
from pastures providing a grass seed-free area for lambs
Your management strategy should focus on tackling the
problem directly and eliminating the core of the problem –
the weeds. This can be achieved through the strategic
use of seed reduction and long-term strategies, with
the support of short-term and avoidance strategies
in the interim.
Long-term strategies focus on the future; they have a
positive influence on management in subsequent years but
may not allow the production of seed-free products in the
current year.
= Yes
✗ = No
= Sometimes
3
“
“
Seed infestation of only one or two seeds in primal
cuts can cause the carcase to be downgraded
- Dale Cameron, Tatiara Meat Company
Trial seed kill
Processors offer a trial seed kill service, where a portion of
a consignment or mob is randomly selected and sent to the
processors. These animals are monitored closely through
the slaughter process and assessed for seed
contamination. Feedback is then provided to the producer
about their stock’s seed status.
Carcase contaminated with small black seed heads
GRASS SEED REPORT
LOT NO:
KILL DATE:
NO. KILLED:
Level of grass seed infestation in carcase
Carcase location to be checked
for seed infestation
NIL
LIGHT
(1-5 grass seeds)
MEDIUM
(5-10 grass seeds)
HEAVY
(greater than 11 grass seeds)
Loin
Hindleg
Flank
Belly and brisket
Other
SEED TYPE
(Please circle)
S = Silver Grass
BR = Broome Grass
B = Barley Grass
W = Wire grass
WAS SEED INFECTED
% AFFECTED
TRIAL RESULT: CONSIGNMENT
G = Geranium (Erodium)
C = Chilean Needle Grass
SP = Spear Grass
YES / NO
ACCEPTED / REJECTED
Comments:
Skins assessment / comment:
Take action!
The production of clean lambs can be achieved through
forward planning, an integrated approach and persistence.
The key is to establish a production system that manages
seeds while maximising profit per hectare. Seeds can be
controlled without compromising productivity or reducing
product quality.
New season sucker lambskins can be discounted by as
much as 50% for grass seed penetration and vegetable
matter contamination of wool.
Further information
The MLA publication Winning against seeds takes a
whole-of-farm approach to managing seeds in lamb and
wool production, from identifying the seeds on your
property, to control options and how to integrate these
into the farm management program.
Call 1800 675 717 to order your free copy
4
Level 1, 165 Walker Street
North Sydney NSW 2060
Ph: 02 9463 9333
Fax: 02 9463 9393
www.mla.com.au
Printed February 2005
ISBN: 1 74036 623 9
© Meat & Livestock Australia
ABN 39 081 678 364
Where possible care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, however MLA cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy or
completeness of the information or opinions contained in the publication. You should make your own enquiries before making decisions concerning your interests