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 month.
Hosted by Northern Tablelands Local Land Services, Staying in sheep: what the future holds workshops will run on August 13 and at 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 highlight the key factors that are driving enterprise performance.
“There’s a lot of speculation around the future of the wool industry,” Ms Paton said.
“This workshop is about giving producers the facts and figures to help make confident, informed decisions.
“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.”
Northern Tablelands Local Land Services senior biosecurity officer, Camilla Stokes, 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,” Ms Stokes said.
Workshops will also feature a session on Ovine Johne’s Disease and on-farm vaccination safety, presented by Local Land Services district veterinarians and Dr Thomas Burke from Zoetis.
“Ovine Johne’s Disease is present across the Northern Tablelands and is something local producers need to understand,” Ms Stokes said.
“This session will focus on what’s relevant, what works and how producers can manage the risks.”
The workshops are free to attend, but registration is essential as places are limited.
To register, visit Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Facebook.
Register online HERE or call 1300 795299 for more information.
