This is the fourth instalment in the Back To Business Webinar series, we were joined by Agricultural Consultant with Holmes Sackett, Hilary Beech, who discussed the various aspects for those undertaking infrastructure investment for a rebuild phase to consider. Issues discussed included prioritisation of investment, how to determine if your investment is going to give you a good return on investment (ROI), investing in profit generating, and efficiency optimising activities or infrastructure. Hilary also discusses strategies for temporary measures for shelter, water infrastructure investment, and illustrated a case study where laneway construction vs satellite yards were investigated. 

In this webinar Dr Matt Playford, Dawbuts presented an amended version of the very popular and practical face to face workshop RAMping Up Repro. Matt discusses all facets of successful ram preparation, and why optimum preparation is paramount. 

RAMping Up Repro Ram Checklist
Sheep Condition Score Card
Sheep Selection Tools
AWI Woolgrower Services Menu

In this third webinar in the BACK TO BUSINESS webinar series, we were joined by Alastair Rayner, of RaynerAg, who discussed the pathways forward in getting back to business following disaster. Alastair discussed ways to compare enterprises, if restocking, and tips for evaluating possible productivity and profit moving forward. With a focus on using user friendly tools to help with analysis, topics discussed were understanding the impact that feedbase has on possible production, using gross margin analysis, managing variable costs, using sensitivity analysis to evaluate risk, SMART goals, and some insight into what successful grazing businesses do to maximise profits this webinar presents much useful information in helping you get BACK TO BUSINESS. 

Back to Business webinar series flier
Back to Business Consultancy Flier

In this webinar, we collaborated with Central Tablelands LLS, who engaged Doug Alcock to present some climate risk modelling scenarios for the Central Tablelands. Doug first demonstrated how the models work, and what they predicted, and then discussed possible strategies for managing climate risk into the future, and where producers could be looking to manage climate risk, and build resilience into their grazing businesses. 

This webinar, the second in the Back To Business webinar series, we spoke to Ted O'Kane, a Rural Resilience worker with NSW DPI discusses various facets of assistance that are available to businesses affected by fire, drought, storms and disasters. 

Natural Disaster Assistance Guide for Primary Producers
Back To Business Webinar Flier
MLA Back To Business Consultancy Flier

We were joined by Dr Jason Trompf who outlined strategies for flock rebuilding - including joining management, scanning, lambing management feeding and other tips that will assist in getting the best flock reproductive performance possible. With many flocks running lower numbers of ewes, having reduced numbers during drought - managing those ewes for performance will be critical to build up flock numbers. 

The first BACK TO BUSINESS webinar recording is now available online. 
In this webinar, Alastair Rayner discussed strategies to keep yourself and your business moving forward in the early stages of recovery from disaster.  

Back To Business Consultancy Flier
Back To Business Webinar Flier

The Sheep Connect Producer Advisory Panel is seeking Expressions of Interest from sheep producers to join some upcoming vacancies on the SCNSW Producer Advisory Panel. With a staged succession process underway, there will be a number of vacancies that become available to join the Panel. 

Expression of Interest Form

Hear a producer perspective on their experience of containment feeding breeding ewes and the transition from containment to pasture following rain. Rob Kelly, from Guyra discusses his experience. Excellent information if you are currently waiting for pasture growth ahead of releasing sheep from containment.

AWI Publication - releasing sheep from containment areas

In this webinar we were joined by AWEX registrar Fiona Raleigh, who discussed the best way to class fire affected wool clips. 

AWI has reproduced with permission some valuable information regarding caring for livestock following bushfires. Whilst caring for livestock and other animals before and after a bushfire is essential, personal safety should be considered as a first priority on all occasions. Be sure to get your Bushfire Survival Plan up to date and to hand. 

GD3624_BTB_81_Dec_2019_one_page_onfarm_Bushfire_i.pdf

This webinar held on 13th September 2019, covered all aspects of managing livestock water during drought. Covering topics such as:

• conducting a water audit, 
• livestock water requirements, 
• water quality, 
• managing limited water supply, 
• water cartage and more. 

Delivered by Alastair Rayner, this webinar provides practical information to assist in managing the precious resource during times of drought. 

awi-stock-water.pdf

Delivered in March 2019, by Geoff Duddy, this webinar discusses all the need to know information that relates to feeding sheep in a containment area. Full of practical information, and tips to ensure that your sheep thrive, and you are conducting the exercise in a way that will assist you maintain your sheep in tip top order, and minimise avoidable issues that may arise. 

In this webinar, held in April 2019, Megan Rogers discusses the essential points of using the AWI feed budget tables to work our what your sheep feeding requirements are. By preparing and using a feed budget, you are able to accurately provide your sheep with the correct amount of feed to meet their daily requirements. Feed budgets also allow you to plan ahead, to ensure that you have sufficient feed on hand to meet the requirements of your sheep for a planned period of time. 

In this webinar, held in September 2017, District Veterinarian, Dr Jillian Kelly discusses some of the more prevalent animal health considerations to be on the look out for when grazing failed crops. 

In this webinar, held in September 2018, and presented by John Piltz of NSW DPI, we hear about all the must do points as well as what to avoid in terms of salvaging crops that are not going to make it through to harvest. 
This webinar will be well accompanied by our webinar on animal health considerations for failing crops, along with the webinar on understanding feed test results, and feed budgeting. 

In this webinar, Geoff summarises some key points for confinement feeding, as well as answers questions submitted by attendees. Covering items such as trough vs self feeders, feeding interval, mob size, a wide range of issues covered. 

In this webinar, we are joined by Brett Littler and Megan Rogers who discuss key points relating to early weaning. Also included is a brief presentation with key points for early weaning lambs - be sure to obtain SPECIFIC ADVICE FOR YOUR OWN SITUATION - before undertaking early weaning. 

Early_weaning_-_presentation.pdf

Alastair Rayner of RaynerAg discusses the importance of and how to ensure you are making sound decisions regarding your livestock during drought. The webinar covers basics of feeding, and importantly, Alastair points out where he sees under or over estimations, and wastage in feeding taking place. 
During the webinar, Alastair discusses where he sees opportunities to do things well, and the importance of writing down plans, and reviewing them regularly. 
For people who are feeding scrub (or considering it) there is a very useful component on scrub feeding. 

In this webinar,  we were joined by the Bureau of Meterorolgy's Alister Hawksford, Leader of Beef, Sheep and Ag Insurance. Alister discussed the current seasonal outlook, as well as how to utilise the BOM's tools that can be customised to your farm, helping you make decisions at the local level using the latest information. There are some excellent tools available to use that can give you forecasts to your actual location! 

Ovine Brucellosis guru Dr John Plant discusses all you need to know about Ovine Brucellosis, signs, symptoms and how to eradicate if from your flock. 

In this webinar, David Brown of Holmes Sackett discusses the processes to assist with taking the guess work out of how to value your sheep, now, and at the end of a feed period. The aim of this webinar is to illustrate where costs and income needs to be taken into consideration, to enable perform an analyisis on where the best value for feeding exists in their own business. 
As with any such advice, Sheep Connect NSW recommends that you seek specific advice from your trusted advisor, and that the information contained in this webinar is for general information purposes, and is based on scenarios for illustrative and educational purposes. 

2013_which_sheep_do__i_keep_lr1.pdf

Geoff Duddy presented an informative and practical webinar all about 'funny feeds' - and what to look out for when considering feeding by products, and other unusual feedstuffs to your livestock. 

Funny_Feeds_handout.pdf

NSW DPI's Development Officer, Sheep Geoff Casburn joins us to discuss how to prepare for and manage in dry conditions. Excellent content about feed cost calculator, as well as reminders to look after yourself and be on the look out for your neighbours. 

Renowned livestock nutrition consultant San Jolly joined us to discuss how to get the best performance from your feeding decisions in pastoral areas. San is a well respected livestock nutrition consultant who specialises in pastoral production. 
San discusses how to ensure your feeding decisions are making productive results in a cost effective manner. Includes discussion on unusual feeds often used during dry times.  

In this webinar, we hear from John Piltz, NSW DPI Research Officer, who gives us a full run down on what to look for when you get your feed test results back from the lab. How to go about ensuring that you are feeding a source of feed that will meet the demands of the class of livestock you are feeding, with the desired outcome. Choosing a feed source is important in ensuring that you get the desired result from your livestock and avoid costly mistakes.  

Rams are a valuable investment in the future of your flock - they are carrying genetics to improve your sheep's perfornance in accordance with your breeding objective. Management of your ram team plays an important role in achieving the maximum number of progeny from your rams. In this webinar, Dr Matt Playford, of Dawbuts explains all the 'must do's' for a successful tour of duty for your rams this joining season. Be sure to check out Matts advice well in advance of putting your rams out for joining, to avoid any mishaps. 

Brett Littler, Central Tablelands LLS, and Megan Rogers, Sheep Connect NSW discuss the must do's and key points for consideration when making a decision regarding possible early weaning of lambs or calves. There is much cross over in the key points relating to lambs or calves, and the speakers each cover the specifics of both lambs and calves. 

Early_weaning_lambs_and_calves_-_key_points_for_a_successful_outcome.mp4

This webinar presented by San Jolly, Productive Nutrition, Kapunda, SA covers important information about the importance of feed testing, how to interpret feed test results to ensure that you are providing your livestock with the most cost effective feed source that will meet your livestock needs. With transport costs significant in pastoral areas, knowing and understanding this, along with the quality of whats in the paddock can make all the difference when providing supplementary feeds to livestock.

Ram selling season arrives and with it comes a myriad of information to brush up on, so that the best buying decisions are made on the day. Sheep Connect NSW have compiled all the information and resources on the topic to make them easy to access. Click on the link to read our special edition newsletter.