Autumn Newsletter 2024

In this edition we’ve got the latest information for you on some recent AWI Extension WA developments and initiatives. Four articles have been carefully crafted for your perusal to support you through the current challenging seasonal conditions and to help set you up for success for the remainder of the year. We've also provided a list of additional resources and support information to help you manage dry seasons. Please read on for the latest!

As always, please contact us with any comments, suggestions, feedback or requests for workshops in your region.

Tackling Tough Times

AWI Extension WA and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) recently teamed up to deliver the Tackling Tough Times webinar series. These two, 1-hour sessions were designed to support you with decision-making and being proactive during challenging seasonal and market conditions, now and in the future. See below for more information about the sessions and for the links to the recordings so that you can view them in your own time.

Session 1:

• Seasonal outlook - Ian Foster, DPIRD
• Mental health check - Terry Melrose, The Regional Men's Health Initiative
• Strategies for breeding sheep in uncertain times - Dr Mark Ferguson, neXtgen Agri
• The latest from The Livestock Collective - Dr Holly Ludeman, The Livestock Collective

Follow the link here to view Session 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_pcjk_GlvM

Session 2:

• Market update - Greg Tilbrook, AWN
• WaterSmart Farms program - Dr Richard George, DPIRD
• Managing tough times: Strategies and tactics - John Young, Farming Systems Analysis Service
• Confinement feeding - Audrey Bird, ‘Windorah Farms’ Wickepin, and Kaitlyn Anderson, Facey Group

Follow the link here to view Session 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xur33F41YY

AWI Extension WA Producer Advisory Panel - Expressions of Interest

We’d like to invite expressions of interest for woolgrowers to join the AWI Extension WA Producer Advisory Panel (PAP). The PAP is critical to the success of AWI Extension WA as it directly impacts what AWI extension activities are delivered for WA woolgrowers.

If you are interested in representing your region and having your say on the activities and initiatives of AWI Extension WA, then please contact Georgia for more information at georgia@awiextensionwa.com or on 0408 947 488.

Newsletter Articles Autumn 2024

We’ve carefully crafted four articles for your perusal to support you through the current challenging seasonal conditions and to help set you up for success for the remainder of the year.

Strategies and tactics for the season

We’ve pulled together some key tips from a few of the speakers from our recent webinar series on Tackling Tough Times. Some of the topics covered in this article include tips to help with your feed budgeting and purchasing decisions, making decisions for efficient feed allocation, and how to prioritise which animals to sell and retain.

Raising the bar with lamb survival

Lambing is fast approaching for most of you, with lambing already underway for some. This presents an opportunity to raise the bar on your marking results. In this article we’ve pulled together some key strategies that can be implemented to improve your lamb survival this year.

Feed budgeting 101

Do you need a refresher on feed budgeting or perhaps you’re just learning how to conduct a feed budget? Under the current market and seasonal conditions, it is essential that supplementary feed is being utilised efficiently. So we’ve broken it down for you. Check out this article for more.

What to look out for with stock water quality and some tips to help

As water levels continue to decline, sample and monitor water quality regularly and try to put your pregnant ewes and young stock in paddocks where you have better quality water. Read this article for more information and tips to help.

Additional Dry Season Resources and Support Information

General

1. Tackling tough times webinar recordings (AWI Extension WA and DPIRD)

Session 1: https://youtu.be/3_pcjk_GlvM

• Seasonal outlook - Ian Foster, DPIRD
• Mental health check - Terry Melrose, The Regional Men's Health Initiative
• Strategies for breeding sheep in uncertain times - Dr Mark Ferguson, neXtgen Agri
• The latest from The Livestock Collective - Dr Holly Ludeman, The Livestock Collective

Session 2: https://youtu.be/3Xur33F41YY

• Market update - Greg Tilbrook, AWN
• WaterSmart Farms program - Dr Richard George, DPIRD
• Managing tough times: Strategies and tactics - John Young, Farming Systems Analysis Service
• Confinement feeding - Audrey Bird, ‘Windorah Farms’ Wickepin, and Kaitlyn Anderson, Facey Group

2. Season 2024: information for WA farmers (DPIRD)
3. Strategies and tactics for sheep producers in a poor season (DPIRD)
4. AWI drought resources (AWI)
5. Dry ready hub (MLA)
6. Dry season resources - podcasts & videos (South-West WA Drought Resilience and Innovation Hub)
7. Managing sheep in the poor season (DPIRD)
8. Feeding and managing sheep in dry times (DPIRD)
9. The Good Food Guide for Sheep  (DPIRD)

Sheep supplementary feeding and nutrition

1. Sheep feeding and nutrition (DPIRD)
2. Condition scoring sheep (DPIRD)
3. Supplementary feeding and feed budgeting for sheep (DPIRD)
4. Alternative feed sources for sheep (DPIRD)
5. Tips for hand feeding sheep (DPIRD)
6. Sheep management and reproduction (DPIRD)
7. Supplementary feeding calculator for pregnant and lactating ewes (DPIRD)
8. Feed cost calculator (DPIRD)
9. Other tools and resources for sheep and grazing management (DPIRD)

Confinement feeding

1. Guidebook on managing breeding ewes in containment areas (MLA)
2. Confined paddock feeding and feedlotting of sheep (DPIRD)

Animal welfare

1. Animal welfare resources and publications (DPIRD)
2. Assessing sheep body condition for transport or sale at saleyards (DPIRD)
3. Are sheep and cattle fit to load? (DPIRD)
4. Welfare decisions for sheep (DPIRD)
5. Humane destruction of sheep and cattle (DPIRD)

Pasture management

1. Deferred grazing at the break of the season (DPIRD)
2. Grazing annual pastures – using FOO as a guide (DPIRD)
3. Annual pasture quality and quantity (DPIRD)
4. Grazing crops for extra winter feed (DPIRD)
5. Boosting winter pasture growth with nitrogen (DPIRD)
6. Annual Ryegrass Toxicity (DPIRD)

Water

1. Water quality information for livestock (DPIRD)
2. Water budgeting information for different classes of stock (DPIRD)

Support

1. Funding and support information for WA primary producers (DPIRD)
2. Western Australia’s rural support services (DPIRD)

Upcoming Events

We are currently arranging the following workshops across the state for July, August and September:

• SimpliFly
• RAMping up Repro
• Winning with Weaners

If you are interested in attending any of these workshops or are keen to have one of these workshops in your region, then please register your interest by getting in touch with Georgia at georgia@awiextensionwa.com or on 0408 947 488.