Renowned sheep parasitologist Dr Matt Playford discussed various facets of managing sheep worms, including the importance of conducting regular worm egg counts, drench resistance testing, and managing internal parasites in sheep. 

In this  popular webinar,  AWI's Henry Ridge discussed options on how to update your woolshed, including starting from scratch, or renovating your existing shed. Henry also discusses the recently released ShedSafe initiative - which aims to help improve overall woolshed safety for all. 

The Merino LINK MLP site held its field day online this year, with presentations by various team members, giving results and updates on the site and its activities. 

MLP MerinoLINK 2020 Site report

Elders Livestock Guru Rob Inglis gave a practical account of Spring animal health and nutrition issues to be on the look out for throughout the state. Rob discussed disease considerations, along with animal health issues that have been cropping up in some areas, with a reminder for attendees to keep an eye out for. 
Spring nutrition issues were also discussed, including keeping your breeding ewes and young stock on track, and not getting caught out by poor quality feed that some winter feed is now providing. 

Our panel of three experts discussed all aspects relating to OJD. The webinar was presented by Dr Rob Barwell, of Animal Health Australia, Dr Matt Playfoed, Dawbuts, and Dr Kelly Graham, Zoetis. 
Main points covered: 
Disease symptoms, biosecurity, trading, Gudair vaccination, best practice vaccination. 

Sheep MAP Manual
How to make the decision to start vaccinating sheep for OJD
Study supprting ongoing use of Gudair vaccine
Dawbuts OJD risk assessment
Best practice vaccination guide

Dr Gordon Refshauge of NSW DPI discusses the impacts of heat stress on both breeding ewes and rams and how periods of hot weather during joining can have a detrimental impact on reproduction rates. Also covered in this webinar are some strategies that producers can use to mitigate against the effects of extremely warm weather. 

Leading Barbers Pole Worm parasitologist, Dr Brown Besier was our guest presenter, and put BPW in the spotlight. Brown discussed elements that make the parasite such a successful  (and difficult to control) parasite, along with its weaknesses, and where as producers we can focus on to aid in managing this costly and often devastating parasite. The webinar also looked at the use of Barbervax and how it works, and how to administer it in your flock to assist with managing BPW. 

Achieve Ag's Nathan Scott provides a comprehensive account of how producers should start planning their next joining while they are lambing, so that they are able to optimise management and enhance conception rates. In this webinar, Nathan discuses practical ways that producers should be planning and executing management to maximise productivity and efficiency in their operation. 

In this webinar, Australian Wool Innovation Program Manager Genetics and Animal Welfare Advocacy, Geoff Lindon discusses the issue of how growers can use breeding and genetics to improve their sheep resistance to flystrike. A very technical account, with some serious data behind the findings. 

With Spring well and truly upon us, and seasonal conditions shaping up to be promising, so to are the prospects of more fly pressure in your flock. In this webinar, Deb Maxwell of Paraboss discusses sheep blowfly resistance and strategies to implement an IPM program to minimise the impacts of these pest on your flock. 

A fly in the ointment
Sheep Blowfly Resistance Management Strategy

In this webinar, we were joined by Communication Manager with Integrity Systems Company, Kathleen Allan. Kathleen discussed all of the elements of Australia's red meat integrity system, and recent changes to NVD. 
An informative webinar - about a vitally important topic. 

In this webinar, we were joined by sheep vet Dr Tim Gole, who discussed lamb marking from a practical yet surgical perspective. Tim gave practical yet very technical information about the lamb marking procedures, along with sound reasons behind the use of A&A. Making lamb marking the least invasive husbandry procedure as possible will help improve your lamb recovery and performance. 

Anaesthesia and Analgesia used by woolgrowers document
Fact sheet on anaesthesia and analgesia
Plan, prepare and conduct lamb marking - best practice manual
Tail length an its impacts on arthritis
Planning for a non mulesed merino enterprise

The Merino Lifetime Productivity (MLP) New England site's annual field day has been staged online. In this webinar we heard a snapshot of the site background, as well as some of the results, and the Site Committee launched their Online Field Day. 

MLP NE Site Report 2017-18 Drop
2017 Drop Pen Cards
2018 Pen Cards
FAQ's - NE MLP Site

In this webinar, AWEX Registrar Fiona Raleigh discussed the latest tips for preparing your woolclip in 2020. With current market conditions less than ideal, now, more than ever producers should be putting their best foot forward to attract the best possible price. 

How to complete NWD
AWEX ID
AWEX Bale description chart
ePCS - newsletter
P&D sheet - North
P&D sheet - South

In this webinar, we were joined by Jim Meckiff, who discussed how to prepare your ewes, paddocks and your business for a high performing winter lambing season. 
With exposure being a large contributor to early lamb losses, there are many strategies that producers can use to ensure optimal lamb marking rates. 

In this webinar, we take a stroll through all things ram selection. Luke Stephen, of NSW DPI discussed all facets relating to buying rams, to meet your breeding objective. Topics discussed related to purchase of rams using both visual and measured data. Luke discussed how to buy rams and select rams for flock improvement to meet market demands, and removing the guess work from the annual process. 

How to shop for a ram
Sheep Selection tools
Visual sheep scores

In this webinar, Nathan Scott of Achieve Ag Solutions discusses strategies to use when your ewes are either side of ideal condition for optimum lambing results. Nathan discusses the implications of over fat ewes on lambing results, as well as the flip side, and implications of ewes that are thinner than ideal for lambing. Dystocia and exposure are the extreme consequences of ewes that are outside optimum condition. 
Nathan discusses key must know information to help you maximise your ewe conception rates!   

In this very popular webinar, Dr Matt Playford, of Dawbuts discusses all facets of sheep worm management and how to avoid developing resistance to drenches. 

Dr Sue Hatcher was our guest speaker for this webinar, where she discussed the importance of knowing your scanning rates, and how to utilise this knowledge to ensure that you get the best lamb marking rates possible. 

In this practical and informative webinar, we heard from Nathan Scott, of Achieve Ag Solutions in Victoria, who has a wealth of experience on the topic. Nathan discusses the key points for successful ewe lamb joinings, and also some of the pitfalls of the practice. A complex issue that requires highly astute management and planning. 

Winning With Weaners - weaner management checklist
RAMping Up Repro checklist

I this twelfth and final #BackToBusiness webinar, we explored the topic of integrity systems in the red meat and wool industry. Importantly as producers rebuild following drought, fires, or other disaster, the integrity systems that underpin and secure our markets are overlooked in the recovery phase. We were joined by Kathleen Allan, of Integrity Systems Co and Emily King of Australian Wool Innovation, who both gave practical and comprehensive accounts of these systems and how they benefit the industry. 

Quick and useful links for LPA, NLIS, NVD information
Integrity Matters - bushfire
Integrity Matters - drought
Integrity Matters - agistment
Integrity Matters - flood

In this interactive webinar, we were joined by Consultant and Farmer Hamish Dickson, who discussed the practicalities around joining breeding ewes in containment areas. Hamish discussed all the 'must do's' and the key things to get right if joining in containment areas. 

Managing sheep in droughtlots publication
Releasing sheep from containment

Nathan Scott of Achieve Ag Solutions discusses key must do management as well as where opportunities exist to drive your flock or herd rebuild forward in a strong fashion. This webinar was practical and informative. 

In this webinar, a condensed version of our very popular Winning With Weaners workshop, Megan Rogers discusses the key points relating to managing your weaners for a lifetime of productivity within your flock. Proactive weaner management can set your young animals up for a productive, profitable and perfoming contribution to your flock and business. 

Winning With Weaners - Weaner management checklist
Feed budgeting for Merino Weaners

In this webinar, Rural Directions Agribusiness Consultant Simon Vogt discusses in detail how to go about building resilience into your agricultural business. Simon discusses key benchmarks for livestock businesses to address during recovery, and other critical elements relating to cost of production, finance costs, cashflow, on farm management and business structure. 

In this webinar, NSW DPI Researcher Dr Suzanne Boschma discusses all that you need to know about tropical grasses, from how to establish them, what sort of feeding they need, how much feed they can grow, planting legumes in amongst the grasses and more. 
A very practical and thorough account of the topic. 

PRIMEFACT - Tropical Perennial Grasses for North West NSW
PRIMEFACT - Sowing rates for tropical perennial grasses
PRIMEFACT - Grazing Management of Tropical Perennial Grasses
PRIMEFACT - Planning ahead for establishing tropical perennial grasses

In this ninth #BackToBusiness webinar, we heard from AgriPartner Consulting Principal, and sheep farmer Hamish Dickson, who discussed practical ways to take and use short term opportunities in driving your business forward as you undertake rebuild following disaster. Hamish discussed feed/sell/agist options, along with small tweaks to your program, feed budgeting, cost benefit of feeding for production, and other strategies including hanging onto young stock for longer as a marketing strategy to make effective use of feed. 

Resources for feeding livestock

In this webinar, we collaborated with Local Land Services who had recently completed a project regarding water testing during the drought. We heard from Michael Glazier from the DPI analytical laboratory, who discussed water quality parameters for livestock, testing protocols, and limitations. We were also joined by Emily Stearman, LLS District Veterinarian, who was able to share experiences from the livestock production and animal health perspective. 

Interpreting water quality tests
Water requirements for sheep and cattle
Water quality for livestock

In this eight instalment in the #BackToBusiness webinar series, we heard from NSW DPI Technical Specialist, Sheep Breeding, Luke Stephen, who discussed strategies to drive your breeding herd or flock forward to get your business back on track in recovery. Luke discussed the importance of the females in your herd/flock, as well as the opportunities that exist in selection of superior sires to drive productivity in your business. 

Buying replacement ewes - NSW DPI primefact
Buying sheep - general biosecurity duty

In this webinar, we were joined by Director of Cousins Merino Services Director, Michelle Cousins, who discussed the critical role scanning plays in maintaining a productive ewe base, particularly as many producers are rebuilding their flocks. Michelle discussed the practicalities, as well as the upside to scanning in flocks. A very practical and informative webinar - a must for any sheep producer, irrespective of whether you scan or not!