SHEEP CRC NEWSLETTER - WINTER 2010
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 Welcome to the Sheep CRC Winter Newsletter
With approval of the 2010-11 Operational Plan at the June Board Meeting, the CRC is set for a big year ahead. Year 4 of the CRC marks the peak of the budget allocation as there is a full complement of research as well as an increasing amount of activity to support and deliver new products and information.
The mid-point of the CRC is an important time to review our progress and identify priorities for the remainder of the CRC. There are a number of activities that will ensure that this process is conducted in a structured and efficient manner. The CRC Conference on 20-21 October is designed to review the scientific rigour of the research undertaken to date and distill out the key information likely to be most useful and have the greatest impact on the sheep industry. This conference is open to all sectors of the industry and I encourage you to get further details from our website. We are also preparing for the formal Commonwealth review of the Sheep CRC’s progress scheduled for early February 2011. The Commonwealth CRC program appoints a panel of 5 independent experts to review progress and the effectiveness of our governance and operational systems.
It is widely recognised that the Information Nucleus initiative has been an unqualified success. It is also recognised that some form of Information Nucleus will be required beyond the Sheep CRC. Work on the design and funding of the new structure is one of our top priorities.
Other progress includes:
- The launch of the new FlyBoss website in June this year has produced very positive feedback. There is now increasing momentum to update the WormBoss program and we are discussing this with AWI.
- The Genomics Pilot Project is on track to deliver the first estimates of genomic breeding values to Participants by early August. The logistics of sample collection, DNA extraction, data analysis and inclusion of results in ASBVs has gone very smoothly.
- There is continued expansion of the LifeTime Ewe Management program and Chris Shands continues to make excellent progress with a National Conference for Pregnancy Scanners scheduled for 28/29 July in Bendigo.
Recognising the importance of genetic gain as a driver of productivity and profit, the CRC is working with AgriFood Skills Australia to identify ways in which the CRC can contribute to training and skills development to ensure use of best practice genetics throughout the industry. We see this as an extremely important initiative and look forward to working with AgriFood Skills Australia who bring considerable experience to this aspect of industry development.
Please use our website to obtain further information on articles and information in this newsletter. We look forward to working with you during the next 12 months as we shift the emphasis towards using new knowledge and products to improve profitability throughout the industry. It is important to look for opportunities to convert awareness of the new products and information into changes of farming practice that will improve profitability.
James Rowe, CEO, Sheep CRC Ltd
HIGHLIGHTS
FlyBoss Website Launch
Launched in June, the new FlyBoss website provides sheep producers with proven information about breeding and managing sheep to reduce the risk of flystrike: www.flyboss.org.au
FlyBoss has been developed by the Sheep CRC and Partners - AWI, MLA and the State Departments of Primary Industry. The site draws on the latest research information and the successful experiences of researchers and producers; it enables producers to build a flystrike management program tailored to local environments, sheep types and enterprises. This involves combining a program of shearing, crutching, chemical application and perhaps breech modification with the breeding and selection of less susceptible sheep.
The information in FlyBoss is supported with training workshops that will be delivered throughout Australia. Information on training is available in the ’More information-Industry Training’ section of FlyBoss. Please click here.
To view the presentations from the launch and to listen to Lu Hogan (FlyBoss website coordinator), Brian Horton (FlyBoss tools developer) and Scott Macansh (Sheep Producer) please click here.
Genomics Pilot Project underway
More than 360 young industry sires from across Australia are having their DNA scrutinised as part of the Sheep Genomics Pilot Project - an initiative of the Sheep CRC, Meat & Livestock Australia and industry.
The Pilot is exploring the capacity of Genomics technology to deliver new levels of genetic gain and productivity. Sheep
CRC CEO, Prof James Rowe says: “Before Genomic Selection is commercialised in the Australian sheep industry, we need to confirm how the technology can be deployed and check the resultant estimated breeding values, logistics and costs.”
However, he says everything is on schedule for the first set of results to be distributed to participating breeders by the end of July, with more data to follow.
“DNA extraction has so-far been completed on more than 250 samples and 96 have already been analysed using the 50k SNP chip. The genotype results appear to be excellent.” For more details click here.
2010 Sheep Focus
The 2010 Sheep Focus magazine provides a valuable summary of progress achieved by the CRC and its Participants in the first 3 years of operation.
The information has also been prepared in an additional format. Powerpoint slides from the Updates (as PDF files) can be viewed or downloaded from the Sheep CRC website. Please click here.
Also, webinars based on these seminars will be advertised by email Bulletin and run between July and September 2010. Once completed, recordings of these webinars will be found on the website.
If you would like a copy of the 2010 Sheep Focus magazine posted to you please contact :
Janelle Holzberger on 02 6773 2927 or via email at jholzber@une.edu.au
Sheep CRC demonstrations - ASAP Conference
The Australian Society of Animal Production (ASAP) Conference was held at the University of New England, Armidale from 12 to 15 July. During the conference the Sheep CRC provided conference attendees with an informative afternoon including an overview of Sheep CRC progress by James Rowe (CEO), an update on the Information Nucleus flocks by Darryl Savage (UNE) and demonstrations of the Comfort Meter by Wool Program Leader, David Tester.
There were also demonstrations of the Haemonchus dipstick (to test for Barbers Pole worm) by Deb Maxwell (Sheep CRC), and the Methane chamber to measure emissions from sheep by Dr Roger Hegarty (I & I NSW).
LATEST NEWS
To read or download the latest media releases click here.
EVENTS
Sheep CRC Conference - 20/21 October - Adelaide
Information on all of the Sheep CRC's research programs and outcomes to date will be presented in Adelaide this October.
Sheepmeat and wool producers, consultants, advisers, industry service providers and contractors are invited to join with scientists and leading commercial and stud producers in the two-day program.
Date: 20th and 21st October 2010
Venue: The Shores Function Complex, Cnr Hamra & Military Road, West Beach, Adelaide
For more information please click here. The Registration Form and Conference Program will be available for download from the CRC website at the end of July.
Making more from sheep forums
The national round of ‘ Its Ewe Time!’ forums, of which the CRC is an Event Partner, is underway. Already, very well attended events have been held in Dubbo and Goondiwindi with more forums to be held in:
- Wagga Wagga (NSW) - Tuesday 27 July
- Carrick (TAS) - Thursday 29 July
- Claire (SA) - Wednesday 18 August
- Hamilton (VIC) - Tuesday 24 August
- Naracoorte (SA) - Thursday 26 August
The events focus on equipping producers with skills to improve enterprise performance and capture market opportunities. Key profitability driver targets are: weaning 10% more lambs per hectare; achieving 10% more carcass weight and making sheep easier to manage.
To book a seat at your closest forum call MLA on 1800 675 717. For information on 'Making more from sheep' click here.
Other upcoming events
Please see below for the dates and locations of Sheep CRC workshops or industry events:
- Flystrike Prevention Workshops - please click here.
- Managing Scanned Ewes Workshop, Yass (NSW) - 26/27 July - for details click here.
- Sheepvention, Hamilton (VIC) - 2/3 August - the Sheep CRC will have a booth demonstrating the Wool Comfort Meter and the latest CRC information - for further details click here.
- LambEx, Burswood (WA) - 4/5/6 August - the Sheep CRC will have a presence at LambEx in conjunction with Department of Agriculture & Food, WA. For further information click here.
- Why Merino? To be held at Dubbo (NSW) Showgrounds on 19/20 August - click here for further information.
SHEEP CRC PROGRAM UPDATES
All of the CRC’s Programs are proceeding well and to schedule, and there are numerous developments to report.
You will notice that we have changed the newsletter slightly: rather than detailing the progress of each project in each program, we will concentrate on the major outcomes from each program each quarter.
Transforming sheep and their management
A large and very visible effort is underway to create and deliver training programs and workshops on a range of industry issues. An indication of the work over the last 12 months is:
|
Training activity
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People trained
|
Hours of training
|
|
Sheep Selection and Breeding workshop
|
26
|
156
|
|
Wool, Worms and Wrinkle forum
|
75
|
338
|
|
Lamb Post Mortem workshops
|
30
|
120
|
|
Precision Sheep Management (PSM) masterclass
|
87
|
1,218
|
|
PSM webinars
|
170
|
137
|
|
PSM Applications workshops
|
169
|
845
|
|
Managing Scanned Ewes workshops
|
664
|
2,656
|
|
Lifetime Ewe Management (LTEM) meetings
|
125
|
2,200
|
|
High Performance Weaners (HPW) workshops
|
20
|
600
|
|
Flystrike Management workshops
|
342
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1,368
|
|
Meat Science training
|
44
|
880
|
|
Totals
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2,308 people
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21,486 hours
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Workshops on many of these topics will continue through 2010 and into 2011.
Importantly, some training topics - such as Lifetime Ewe Management (LTEM) and High Performance Weaner (HPW) either are, or will be eligible for FarmReady reimbursement grants. To find out more, and to participate, click here.
For information on LTEM and HPW courses in your area contact Keri Ross or Darren Gordon on 03 5573 0943.
 Providing additional impetus to this training effort, the Sheep CRC has been successful in securing funding from AgriFood Skills Australia to support a large scale genetics training initiative.
A detailed project plan is being developed with AgriFood Skills Australia, to target four key audiences:
Seed stock breeders who do not currently use Sheep Genetics technologies to manage data and benchmark sire performance;
Commercial producers who do not have a defined breeding objective or use ASBVs;
Service providers and agribusiness personnel;
Work experience and professional development opportunities for students and the next generation of sheep industry service providers.
For more information on Industry Training click here and for other latest updates on Transforming Sheep & their Management click here.
(Photo courtesy Lifetime Wool Project)
Survey - 'Lamb Survival Research'
PhD student Jo Elliott is researching ”The roles of attitudes, social influence and human behaviour in the adoption of strategies to improve lamb survival by sheep producers”. Her current survey takes a psychological approach which is different to most surveys that producers will have completed in the past, and we appreciate your assistance. For more information contact Jo on ellioj01@student.uwa.edu.au or 0410 590 186.
Next generation wool quality
The Comfort Meter for measuring the next-to-skin comfort of knitted wool fabrics continues to progress. The new, full time research fellow at Deakin University Dr. Maryam Naebe, now has 3 Comfort Meters complete and operational, and these are being assessed by fabric and garment manufacturers.
The sixth wearer trial conducted at The Garment Laboratory in Western Australia, which extended the micron range of fabrics, has been completed and the 7th trial is now underway. This 7th trial is using fabrics made by new supply chain companies and is looking at the particular role of yarn twist in prickle (or comfort) as it changes the effective length of the protruding fibres and therefore their rigidity.
Reports have been prepared for most of the fabrics so-far provided for testing by supply chain companies, including three “mercerized” wool fabrics from an AWI promoted chlorination process. These fabrics all gave results that would be associated with fabrics made from finer wool; consequently, more of this product has been purchased from European and Chinese sources for inclusion in the 8th wearer trial.
The Comfort Meter project is also being extended to see if the instruments outcomes can be used to support a value proposition for ultrafine wool. Consequently, four bales of wool have been purchased for processing in Italy and conversion into lightweight next-to-skin knitwear prior to testing on the Comfort Meter.
To read more about the Wool Program click here.
(Photos courtesy of AWI)
Next generation meat quality
The Sheep CRC has engaged Bruce Hancock from Rural Solutions, South Australia, in a new role as National Lamb Supply Chain Coordinator.
The key tasks are to optimise the use of Sheep CRC and MLA knowledge and products, engage with the processing sector and strengthen linkages back to lamb producers.
To this end, meetings have been completed with major supply chains in Victoria and South Australia and follow-up activities are being planned. Two lamb supply chains in WA are considering producer training packages for increasing lamb supply (in collaboration with Sheep CRC 'Transforming Sheep & their Management Program' activities). Other meetings are in the pipeline.
For more information, contact Bruce Hancock on 08 8303 7691.
For further information about the Meat Program click here.
(Photo courtesy Deb Maxwell - Prime lambs with higher lean meat yield are more profitable for the entire supply chain)
Information Nucleus
Genetic analysis of the data from the Information Nucleus flock is well underway and results of genetic analysis of the first 2 drops of lambs was completed in June for wool and meat traits.
Results for lamb survival are not hopeful (limited genetic variation) and parasite data seems to have limited added value above what is already recorded in industry. Assessment of wool handle has been included as a new trait at all INF sites.
Analysis of the data on some new possible carcass and meat traits, for which industry currently has no ASBVs, is occurring.
The Sheep Genomics Pilot Project
This work is well underway on the Pilot Project and on-schedule. Many of the DNA samples that have been submitted have already been processed and sent for genotyping. Results are expected in August and the CRC will then advise producer participants of the outcome of this genotyping work. All genomic results will be reported through ASBVs. Importantly, the analysis of genomic data is showing high accuracies of predicted ASBVs, especially for Merino sheep.
For further information on the Information Nucleus click here.
(Photo courtesy LambPro - Visual assessment can be misleading - these two animals have the same genetics and ASBVs, however, the larger ram was raised as a single and the smaller as a triplet.)
Education and Training
 Postgraduate scholarships
There are currently 22 postgraduate students that have accepted scholarships. The latest round of scholarships attracted 7 applicants and it is likely that offers will be made to all of these. Thus, the CRC will be very close to the target of 29 students at the end of 2009/10.
Graduate Certificate in Rural Science (Agricultural Consulting)
The second intake of students is off to a good start although the attrition rate is quite high – those who are deferring have nominated their workload as the reason. Of 28 enrolments in the one core unit on offer in Semester 1, 18 students remain enrolled as against an operational plan target of 15.
For information on the Education Program click here.
(Photo courtesy Deb Maxwell)
SUBSCRIBE
To subscribe to the Sheep CRC Quarterly Newsletter, to receive regular update bulletins and to check that your subscription details are current please click here.
We welcome your feedback on this Newsletter - please send any comments to Janelle Holzberger.
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CJ Hawkins Homestead, University of New England, Armidale NSW 2351