Winter Newsletter 2024

Welcome to AWI Extension WA’s Winter Newsletter for 2024. We’re back with the latest information to help set you up for success over the coming months! 
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In this newsletter we cover:

1. Wet-or-dry assessment of ewes at lamb marking to identify the performers vs passengers
2. How to make cent$ of carbon and emissions on your farm​​​​​​
3. Best practice weaning tips and tricks to set your weaners up to thrive and allow your ewes to recover
4. A wrap of recent agtech developments for woolgrowers
5. AWI Extension WA Producer Advisory Panel Expressions of Interest
6. Upcoming AWI Workshops

We've also provided a list of additional resources and information to help. 

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.

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.

Upcoming Workshops

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

• SimpliFly
• RAMping up Repro
• Winning with Weaners
• Picking Performer Ewes

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. 

Newsletter Articles Winter 2024

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 remainder of the year.

Passengers vs Performers

In this article we’ve pulled together some key tips to help you conduct a wet-or-dry assessment of your ewes at lamb marking to identify the performers vs passengers.

Making cent$ of carbon and emissions on-farm

Check out this article for a quick breakdown of some of the key emissions and carbon terms that are helpful to be aware of to take action.

Wean to manage

Read this article for best practice weaning tips and tricks to set your weaners up to thrive, and allow your ewes sufficient recovery time before their next joining.

Agtech wrap: recent agtech developments for woolgrowers

In this article, we’ve summarised a few recent agtech developments relevant for woolgrowers.

Additional Resources and Support Information

General

1. Tackling tough times webinar recordings (AWI Extension WA and DPIRD)
   • Session 1: https://youtu.be/3_pcjk_GlvM
   • Session 2: https://youtu.be/3Xur33F41YY

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)