While the Australian sheep industry has faced its fair share of challenges over the decades, switching enterprises isn’t always the best move. Sheep producers are invited to take a clear-eyed, practical look at the future of the sheep industry at a series of free workshops across the Northern Tablelands this August.
Hosted by Northern Tablelands Local Land Services, “Staying in sheep: what the future holds” workshops will run on 13 and 14 August in Walcha, Guyra, and Glen Innes. Designed for sheep producers, whether they’re all-in on sheep or considering their options, the workshops will explore what’s really driving profitability in sheep enterprises.
Agrista’s Jess Paton will walk participants through benchmarking data that compares the financial performance of sheep against other enterprises and will also highlight the key factors that are driving enterprise performance.
“There’s a lot of speculation around the future of the wool industry. This workshop is about giving producers the facts and figures to help make confident, informed decisions,” Ms Paton said. “It’s not about talking the industry up or down; it’s about being clear on where the value is and what it takes to capture it.”
Camilla Stokes, Senior Biosecurity Officer with Northern Tablelands Local Land Services, said producers will also hear about tools for assessing their own performance and making practical changes to improve outcomes.
“No two farms are the same, but having a handle on how your business stacks up and what the top performers are doing differently is where the value lies,” said Ms Stokes.
Workshops will also feature a session on Ovine Johne’s Disease and on-farm vaccination safety, presented by Local Land Services District Veterinarians and Zoetis’ Dr Thomas Burke.
“Ovine Johne’s Disease is present across the Northern Tablelands and is something local producers need to understand. This session will focus on what’s relevant, what works, and how producers can manage the risks,” said Ms Stokes.
The workshops are free to attend, but registration is essential as places are limited.
To register, visit the Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Facebook page or register online. Landholders can also call their local office on 1300 795 299 for more information.
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