SHEEP CRC NEWSLETTER - SUMMER 2010
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For further details on information provided in this newsletter, please click on the links (highlighted in blue, bold and underlined).
Welcome to the Sheep CRC Summer Newsletter
As 2010 gains momentum, it is clear that the sheep industry and the Sheep CRC are in for an exciting year. This newsletter summarises the progress being made by the CRC in a number of areas and signals a significant shift to delivery of new innovation ready for use by breeders and producers.
In addition to the series of Sheep CRC Producer Updates that will be conducted in nine locations around Australia in the next three months, there is a lot of emphasis in this newsletter on skills development, training and how to access information. Investing time so that you are able to take advantage of innovation and increased productivity is both necessary and rewarding. I urge you to consider how these opportunities can contribute to your business and plan the steps required to get started.
James Rowe
CEO, Sheep CRC Ltd
HIGHLIGHTS
FlyBoss
The new FlyBoss website is on track to be launched during February. Until then visit the new Managing Flystrike area of the Sheep CRC website for the latest information. A series of national Flystrike Management Workshops will be held from February (dates and locations to be confirmed). These will provide the latest information on managing flystrike in mulesed and non-mulesed sheep flocks.
Haemonchus Dipstick
The Haemonchus Detection (dipstick) test was launched by Sheep CRC partner, Ancare/Merial, in October 2009. With the recent high summer rainfall in northern NSW and Queensland, the test has proven very timely in combating escalating Haemonchus worm burdens. Producer feedback has been very positive.
Measuring Wool Comfort
The latest version of the CRC's new Wool Comfort Meter was unveiled to producers at a Wool Forum in Guyra, NSW in November. Sheep CRC Wool Program Leader, David Tester, believes the Comfort Meter will have a significant effect on the production of next-to-skin woollen garments along the supply chain. This research is supported by AWI as a key Sheep CRC Participant.
UPCOMING EVENTS
To view the Events Calendar click here.
Sheep CRC Updates 2010
The Sheep CRC invites you to attend the upcoming Sheep CRC Producer Updates. The Updates will feature Sheep CRC research results and information that can be applied on farm, as well as highlight new opportunities for further training and information. We have new results, information and practices for both lamb and wool producers as well as ram breeders, no matter what breed of sheep you run. Sessions will include:
- Optimising both reproduction and lifetime production from your ewes
- Winning the battles against worms and blowflies
- Producing lamb and sheep meat for increasingly discerning consumers while maintaining your yield
- Wool production for comfort and colour
- Integrating the array of new and improved genetic tools into your selection program. This will include new ASBVs, indexes and the interactions between traits
| Location |
Date |
| Katanning, WA |
Wednesday, 10 February |
| Northam, WA |
Thursday, 11 February |
| Cleve, SA |
Wednesday, 24 February |
| Campbell Town, TAS |
Tuesday, 16 March |
| Young, NSW |
Friday, 19 March |
| Benalla, VIC |
Tuesday, 23 March |
| Casterton, VIC |
Thursday, 25 March |
| Cunnamulla, QLD |
Tuesday, 13 April |
| Glen Innes, NSW |
Wednesday, 28 April |
For further details click here.
PSM focuses on managing individual or selected groups of sheep to take advantage of the large variation between animals in a flock to improve productivity and profitability. An internet or web-based (webinar) training series on PSM and its software tools will be conducted according to the schedule below.
Training Session
|
Date
|
| Introduction to PSM |
Tuesday, 23 February |
| Introduction to PSM |
Thursday, 25 February |
| PSM Equipment |
Monday, 1 March |
| Data Handling and Management |
Wednesday, 3 March |
| Walk-over-weighing |
Friday, 5 March |
| Merino vs Terminal Sire |
Monday, 8 March |
| Pedigree Matchmaker |
Wednesday, 10 March |
| Weigh Matrix (for analysing walk-over-weighing) |
Monday, 15 March |
| Pedigree Matrix |
Wednesday, 17 March |
| Introduction to PSM |
Monday, 12 April |
| Introduction to PSM |
Wednesday, 14 April |
| PSM Equipment |
Thursday, 15 April (TBC) |
| Data Handling and Management |
Monday, 19 April |
| Pedigree Matchmaker |
Tuesday, 20 April |
| Walk-over-weighing |
Wednesday, 21 April |
| Weigh Matrix (for analysing walk-over-weighing data) |
Friday, 23 April |
| Merino vs Terminal Sire |
Tuesday, 27 April |
| Pedigree Matrix |
Friday, 30 April |
Each session will run from 12.30pm (EDST) for 1 hour. Login is essential, so to register and receive your login details contact Cheryl Pope (cheryl.pope@industry.nsw.gov.au) at least 48 hours prior to the webinar.
The next PSM Masterclass will be held at the Orange Agricultural Institute on 16/17 February.
The Masterclass is designed to train producers and service providers in the area of Precision Management and the role of electronic identification systems. The Masterclass will cover - equipment, practical demonstrations, operational software tools, developing PSM strategies, reviewing your PSM plan, autodrafting and sheep classing demonstration, data handling and future opportunities.
To download the Program click here.
 Pregnancy Scanning Workshops
These ½ day workshops focus on the management of pregnant ewes through joining, pregnancy and lactation as well as an introduction to some practical tools and skills. For producers who have pregnancy scanned, these workshops will help to get the most out of your ewes. The day includes theory and practical hands-on sessions. 30 workshops were held across Australia last year with 600 attendees.
If you think you and/or your neighbours would be interested in these practical training workshops, please contact us for details of scheduled events or for more information on hosting one of these workshops in your area:
Eastern Australia: Chris Shands, (02) 6730-1928 DPI NSW, Glenn Innes, chris.shands@dpi.nsw.gov.au
9th World Sheep and Wool Congress - April 2010
For information about this flagship industry event click here.
OTHER NEWS
To read the latest Sheep CRC press releases click here.
PROGRAM AND PROJECT UPDATES
A High Performance Weaner course has been piloted with six groups. The feedback plus new analysis of weaner management strategies will be used to modify course design and materials. Courses will begin in July.
The evaluation of the WormBoss website has been completed and there has been progress to address concerns regarding website appeal and ease of navigation.
The new FlyBoss website will be ready for launch later in February. In the meantime see the Managing Flystrike section of the CRC website.
Methane emissions
Methane emissions in sheep have been modelled and short-term methane production has been measured on more than 1200 sheep. Preliminary results indicate that opportunities exist to breed for lower methane production. Extreme individuals or progeny groups identified in the flock screening will be retested and validated in the purpose built methane ‘booths’ in early 2010. If sire differences are confirmed, the animals will be used for measurement of Net Feed Intake and to examine the underlying biology and microbial ecology of methane production in sheep.
The commercial white wool trial has moved on quickly with the specially selected white wool yarn knitted at Levana in New Zealand and ready for finishing and garment making. The woollen yarn is clearly whiter than has been previously seen.
50 woollen fabrics measured for handle characteristics by the Phabrometer have been assessed by four fabric handle experts. The initial analysis indicates that fabric softness is related to specific Phabrometer test results, which demonstrates the Phabrometer’s ability to actually measure handle.
To determine potential causes of wool yellowing, wool samples from individual sheep selected for extremes in scoured wool colour from the Information Nucleus flocks have been measured. The samples were analysed for suint content, suint pH, suint mineral content and total wool minerals. Differences were apparent in suint pH and suint K levels, and models for their role in wool yellowness are being developed.
It is thought that certain bacteria on the skin of sheep may be a cause of the yellowing, so the role of skin microbial populations on base wool colour is being examined on 20 sheep from the IN flock with extreme colour differences. These animals are being treated with antibiotics designed to knock out specific populations of resident bacteria from the skin. As heritability of colour is only moderate, such a non-genetic intervention may assist in producing whiter wool.
The project to improve the performance of the electrical stimulation units (used for reducing cold shortening and improving meat tenderness) is now being validated. In one plant, revised stimulation settings under experimental conditions lifted the number of carcases in the pH/temp window from 12% to 85%. Validation of the changes will occur as 2009 drop Information Nucleus lambs are processed over the next 3-4 months.
Between-trait correlations and initial genetic analysis for some key ‘new ASBV’ traits such as intra muscular fat, meat colour, lean meat yield and lamb survival are expected in February.
The first analysis of the genome association is underway. The objective is to be able to predict breeding values for a range of traits from differences in DNA. These genomic predictions, combined with conventional ASBVs hold great potential for increased rate of genetic gain.
Semen of sires for the 2010 INF matings have been collected and a mating allocation list completed. The list includes 89 sires (26 Maternal, incl Border Leicester, Coopworth, Corriedale, Dohnes and Samms, 29 Terminal, 34 Merino) and 4200 ewes.
The annual Sheep and Beef CRC postgraduate conference was held in November, with 36 students presenting to a panel of 10 leading academics and scientists from both CRCs. Sheep CRC students performed well with Gareth Kelly placing third in the 2nd/3rd year category, and Sam Clark first in the 1st year category. There will be another round of scholarship offers in April.
The first year of the Graduate Certificate course is finished with 28 completions in the two core consulting units. There have been 40 enrolment enquiries for 2010, for a target of 15 enrolments in each.
Genetics courses for ram breeders and producers
Training in breeding for target markets for wool and lamb production are under development in association with Sheep Genetics and Making More from Sheep.
LIFETIME EWE MANAGEMENT
Join a Lifetime Ewe Management group to improve reproductive performance and ewe stocking rates
Lifetime Ewe Management is a ‘hands-on’ training program for wool and lamb producers to improve their understanding of the impacts of ewe nutrition and management on the performance of the ewe and her progeny.
For more information on Lifetime Ewe Management and deliverers in your area, contact Keri Ross ( kross@rist.com.au) or Darren Gordon ( dgordon@rist.com.au), RIST, Hamilton, Vic on 03 55730943.
MAKING MORE FROM SHEEP
AWI and MLA have joined forces to develop 'Making More From Sheep', a best practice package of information, tools and learning opportunities for Australian sheep producers covering subjects including soils and pasture, wool and meat marketing, animal health, genetics and farm sustainability.
Visit www.makingmorefromsheep.com.au for all the information and to find out about upcoming forums, workshops and other learning activities.
SUBSCRIBE
To subscribe to the Sheep CRC newsletters and bulletins please go to www.sheepcrc.org.au
We welcome your feedback on the content and format of this Newsletter. Please send any comments to Janelle Holzberger.
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CJ Hawkins Homestead, University of New England, Armidale NSW 2351