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2008 ISSUE 2
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2008 / Issue 2
General News
In this issue
Royal Show Time

The last  quarter of the calendar year brings with it some of the more prominent Royal Shows on the show calendar. Several Royal and large sheep shows have already taken place such as Sydney Royal, Ekka, Australian Sheep & Wool Show and Hamilton Sheepvention.
Adelaide Royal begins the first week of September (5-13th), Melbourne Royal the middle of September (18-28th) and Hobart Royal toward the end of October (22nd-25th).
Royal shows provide an ideal opoportunity for, not only the promotion by individual sheep breeders but, also for individual sheep breeds to promote just what they offer the industry. Feature breed at Adelaide this year is the Suffolk while Melbourne is featuring the White Suffolk.
Much can be gained by all involved in the sheep industry to attend these high profile shows and just observe or talk to the stud breeders who are producing the genetics that will form an integral part of the future of our industry.
For more information on the upcoming Royal shows, link to the relevant area on SheepOnline
Sheep Industry Projections

The latest Australian Sheep & Lamb Industry Projections have just been released, confirming what we have all known, that sheep numbers across all states are continuing to decline. Coupled with this decline, rising farm debt levels and high input costs are likely to restrict any short term recovery.
However the long term picture looks more promising with tight supply of lambs expected to bring about higher prices and both global and domestic demand for lamb very high and increasing. Given some return to a normal season, the potential of the lamb industry is bright with Australia perhaps the one sheep producing nation able to fill a rising global demand for lamb, especially given that almost all other nations are reducing sheep numbers due to factors other than climate.
The lure of high returns from grain and the lack of stored feed has seen some huge reductions in sheep numbers, especially in WA, as producers attempt to make up for financial losses incurred over many years of drought. High input costs and the relative uncertainty of grain production should temper this trend once we see some return to what we used to call an 'average year'.
To read the media release and full report use the links below.
• Royal Show Time
• Sheep Industry Projections
• Booligal Sheep Races
• Sheep CRC
• Woolcheque
•  Auction Sale dates
•  Ram Sale time
•  White Suffolk
 
 
 
Booligal Sheep Races
This is, after all, a site dedicated to Sheep!
The Booligal Sheep Races will be held on Saturday 18th October at Booligal. Where is Booligal you ask? According to the old saying  "..along the riverside is Hay, Hell and Booligal"
Booligal is in western NSW and has a floating population of 28 but don't let this lead you to believe this will be a quiet weekend as huge crowds attend the annual Sheep Races where all proceeds are donated to local charities. In the last 10 years, $30,000 has been raised and distributed to a wide rage of organisations.

You can bring your own sheep or purchase one at the charity auction. All your needs will be available at the site including activities for the kids, BBQ and canteen, which will all ensure a great family fun day.
 
SheepOnline  Success
Following our launch on the 1st July, we have received a great deal of positive feedback from both sheep producers and those working in organisations associated within the Australian sheep industry. Currently we are recording between 1000-2500 website hits per day which is generating significant exposure for those using SheepOnline to promote their business. Results have come quick with a mob of ewes being sold within 24 hrs of being listed  and website  interest to linked sites showing significant increases in traffic. This effect can only increase further with time and is an amazing result given the vast size of the internet. Our research is indicating many commercial producers are accessing the site to look at all that is available.  Thank You to all who have supported SheepOnline either through feedback, participation or suggestions.
 
Auction Sale dates

GOSSAMER DOWN
2008 White Dorper sale
12th August
Coonamble
Details 

2008 National Dorper/White Dorper sale
9th September
Dubbo Showground
Details; keep watch through SheepOnline

South Australian White Suffolk Foundation Breeders Sale
10th September
Moorlands  SA
Details to follow

"Illoura" Auction Sale
Poll Dorset/White Suffolk
11th September
Moorlands   SA
Details to follow

Australasian Dorset Show & Sale
12-16th September
Bendigo
Details; keep watch through SheepOnline
 
Timely Reminder
Are the kids OK?
Research has shown that children and adolescents are affected in much the same way as adults with regard to issues in the bush. Bascially, they are carrying all the concerns that the adult members of their family are feeling  regarding drought and the associated stresses it creates. Teachers are noticing an increase in kids struggling either through noticeable behaviour changes or some tend to struggle in silence. Keep open the lines of communication with your children and keep them appropriately informed. Advise them of a free and confidential    Kids Help Line
       1800 55 1800
         or website
 
 
 
 
 
Sheep CRC
 
 
SheepCRCThe Sheep CRC program is arguably the world's largest sheep research program of its type involving many of Australia's leading sheep industry organisations. The seven year program which commenced in 2007, aims to provide new technologies, management practices and products to enhance the profitibility and sustainability of Australian sheep producers through four clearly defined research programs;
   - Transforming sheep and management practices
   - Next generation wool quality
   - Next generation Meat quality
   - Information Nucleus
Under each of these programs are a number of sub programs that further refine the focus of the research. A further extension of the Sheep CRC is the education and training of personnel in the sheep industry to make the best use of the information that is currently available and the significant findings that are liklely to come from the extensive research being conducted.
Sires from all breeds, across all areas of Australia are used to generate progeny which are then analysed to generate the huge amounts of data that make up part of this research program.
Two electronic Newsletters are able to be dowloaded from the sheep CRC site and by using the link below, more information can be found regarding this most important research program.
 
 
Woolcheque
 
WoolCheque 
 
 
 
 
Woolcheque is an easy to use website provided free by AWI to wool growers as a means to independently price their wool clip based on daily or historical wool values. The step by step procedure allows wool growers to use new test results or past auction results to determine the clean, greasy and estimated dollar value of each clip line. Discounts or premiums that apply to your clip are displayed and your price can be compared to similar auction lots recently sold and also the historical price trend that has occurred over the previous year. Prices are updated daily so you obtain a spot price based on the value of similar lots sold within a 24 Hr period.  The price given is a gross amount exclusive of GST and any charges. The privacy of the process is protected by a combination of your brand and the wool classer's stencil number.
For wool producers in today's tight financial environment, to be able to appraise your own clip through Woolcheque enables better decision making and planning, even if only to compare the price being offered by your wool broker. However remember your broker may be factoring in projected shifts in the market price between their quote and selling date.
 
 
Ram sale time
 
The next few months will see many producers conducting either on property ram sales or auction sales. For seedstock producers, this year promises to be a tight one with reduced commercial ewe numbers of significant concern. Good  promotion and listening to your clients individual needs and concerns are a good start to ensuring that you have a successful clearance.
Good luck to all ram producers with their sales and clearances, let's hope a long overdue good season brings a return to increasing sheep numbers and a return to paddocks full of sheep.
A sign of the times is typified by a comment I heard recently relating to a producer asking directions to a sheep stud. " .. after you travel through town, drive for some distance until you see some sheep in the paddock on your left, that is our property"
 
     
Feature Breed - White Suffolk
 
 To demonstrate the forward thinking and determination of all involved in the Australian Sheep industry, the White Suffolk breed provides no better example. An Aussie developed breed initiated from a necessity to breed a sheep that suited both our Australian conditions and our lamb market preferences, the White Suffolk has grown in a relatively short period of time to become a significant terminal sire in the prime lamb market.
With close to 450 active studs across Australia, the White Suffolk has thrived in all agricultural areas from the hottest marginal areas to cold wet climates producing prime lambs that have gained high praise from all involved in the lamb industry. The development of the White Suffolk breed paralleled the development of the Lambplan genetic evaluation system and consequently a significant percentage of the breed (65%) have Lambplan data. This coupled with a very proactive Association and the fact that it still remains a composite breed with an open flock book, has allowed the White Suffolk to adapt quickly to any changes in consumer and producer preferences and sire lambs that suit a wide range of markets. White Suffolk sires are able to be used over any maternal ewe genetics and are also being used successfully as Maternal sires producing outstanding 1st cross ewes.
Surely an ideal breed for the modern Australian sheep industry.
 
 
The White Suffolk will be Feature Breed at this year's Melbourne Royal
 
 
 
 
 
 
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