Autumn Newsletter 2025

Welcome to AWI Extension WA’s Autumn Newsletter for 2025. This newsletter is jam-packed full of information to help set you up for future success. 
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In this newsletter, we cover:

1. Making more money out of wool sheep: Data to decisions, markets and management - This article provides some practical tips on how to make more money out of wool sheep by leveraging data to improve decision-making, optimising management practices, and being proactive and taking advantage of growing market opportunities for Merino’s in WA.
2. Recognising and preventing metabolic disease in lambing ewes - This article covers risk factors, what to look for, and how to prevent and treat two of the common metabolic disorders seen in pregnant and lactating ewes – pregnancy toxaemia and hypocalcemia.
3. Preparing low worm-risk paddocks - This article covers strategic preparation methods for lowering the worm-risk of paddocks.
4. Management targets for increased productivity and profitability - Here we have summarised the management targets for optimum productivity and profitability along with what to do and what to avoid when managing ewes to optimise lamb survival.
5. Wool trivia challenge - Test your knowledge with a quick 10-question trivia challenge. Wool ewe take the challenge?
6. Upcoming AWI Extension WA workshops and events - Learn about what we are planning for 2025 and express your interest.                                                                                                   

We've also provided a bunch of additional resources and information to help throughout the articles in this newsletter. 

As always, please get in touch with Georgia or Amy with any comments, suggestions, feedback or requests for workshops in your region, visit contact us.

Wool trivia challenge!

Click on the following link to access the quiz and view the answers: http://bit.ly/4jkihnY

Submit your answers then click on "View accuracy" to see how you went.

Upcoming Workshops and Events

We are currently arranging several workshops and events for the year. Please stay tuned via our social media platforms and emails for announcements with specific event and workshop details.

Events and workshops for 2025:

• Driving productivity with EID 
• Sustainability: Best-practice & baselining 101
• Managing water quality 
• Making sense of ASBVs & Selection Indexes 
• Containment feeding and feed budgeting 
• Drought-proofing your farm
• AWI Ramping up Repro workshops

You can learn more about our events and workshops, register your interest in attending or having one held in your region, or make any other suggestions or comments by completing the following form: https://forms.gle/5tjD4ij81ejt1qbQ9

Newsletter Articles Autumn 2025

We’ve carefully crafted four articles for your perusal to support you through the current season and to help set you up for success for the future.

Making more money out of wool sheep: Data to decisions, markets and management

There are viable pathways for WA woolgrowers to remain profitable and optimistic about the future of woolgrowing in WA. This article provides some practical tips on how to make more money out of wool sheep by leveraging data to improve decision-making, optimising management practices, and being proactive to take advantage of growing market opportunities for Merino’s in WA.

Recognising and preventing metabolic disease in lambing ewes

Optimising ewe nutrition during pregnancy and lactation is critical for the health, productivity and survival of ewes and their lambs. This article covers risk factors, what to look for, and how to prevent and treat two of the common metabolic disorders seen in pregnant and lactating ewes – pregnancy toxaemia and hypocalcemia.

Preparing low worm-risk paddocks

Preparing low worm-risk paddocks to prevent sheep from heavy worm burdens is a key strategy in effective and profitable worm control. This article covers strategic preparation methods for lowering the worm-risk of paddocks.

Management targets for increased productivity and profitability

Ewe nutrition during pregnancy and lactation plays a major role in the productivity and survival of the ewe and her lambs. Here we have summarised the management targets for optimum productivity and profitability along with what to do and what to avoid when managing ewes to optimise lamb survival.