Autumn Newsletter 2024
Welcome to AWI Extension WA’s Autumn Newsletter for 2024. We’re so happy that you’re here!
In this edition we’ve got the latest information for you on some recent AWI Extension WA developments and initiatives. Four articles have been carefully crafted for your perusal to support you through the current challenging seasonal conditions and to help set you up for success for the remainder of the year. We've also provided a list of additional resources and support information to help you manage dry seasons. Please read on for the latest!
As always, please contact us with any comments, suggestions, feedback or requests for workshops in your region.
Tackling Tough Times
AWI Extension WA and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) recently teamed up to deliver the Tackling Tough Times webinar series. These two, 1-hour sessions were designed to support you with decision-making and being proactive during challenging seasonal and market conditions, now and in the future. See below for more information about the sessions and for the links to the recordings so that you can view them in your own time.
Session 1:
- Seasonal outlook - Ian Foster, DPIRD
- Mental health check - Terry Melrose, The Regional Men's Health Initiative
- Strategies for breeding sheep in uncertain times - Dr Mark Ferguson, neXtgen Agri
- The latest from The Livestock Collective - Dr Holly Ludeman, The Livestock Collective
Follow the link here to view Session 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_pcjk_GlvM
Session 2:
- Market update - Greg Tilbrook, AWN
- WaterSmart Farms program - Dr Richard George, DPIRD
- Managing tough times: Strategies and tactics - John Young, Farming Systems Analysis Service
- Confinement feeding - Audrey Bird, ‘Windorah Farms’ Wickepin, and Kaitlyn Anderson, Facey Group
Follow the link here to view Session 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xur33F41YY
AWI Extension WA Producer Advisory Panel - Expressions of Interest
We’d like to invite expressions of interest for woolgrowers to join the AWI Extension WA Producer Advisory Panel (PAP). The PAP is critical to the success of AWI Extension WA as it directly impacts what AWI extension activities are delivered for WA woolgrowers.
If you are interested in representing your region and having your say on the activities and initiatives of AWI Extension WA, then please contact Georgia for more information at georgia@awiextensionwa.com or on 0408 947 488.
Newsletter Articles Autumn 2024
We’ve carefully crafted four articles for your perusal to support you through the current challenging seasonal conditions and to help set you up for success for the remainder of the year.
Additional Dry Season Resources and Support Information
General
- Tackling tough times webinar recordings (AWI Extension WA and DPIRD)
Session 1: https://youtu.be/3_pcjk_GlvM
- Seasonal outlook - Ian Foster, DPIRD
- Mental health check - Terry Melrose, The Regional Men's Health Initiative
- Strategies for breeding sheep in uncertain times - Dr Mark Ferguson, neXtgen Agri
- The latest from The Livestock Collective - Dr Holly Ludeman, The Livestock Collective
Session 2: https://youtu.be/3Xur33F41YY
- Market update - Greg Tilbrook, AWN
- WaterSmart Farms program - Dr Richard George, DPIRD
- Managing tough times: Strategies and tactics - John Young, Farming Systems Analysis Service
- Confinement feeding - Audrey Bird, ‘Windorah Farms’ Wickepin, and Kaitlyn Anderson, Facey Group
- Season 2024: information for WA farmers (DPIRD)
- Strategies and tactics for sheep producers in a poor season (DPIRD)
- AWI drought resources (AWI)
- Dry ready hub (MLA)
- Dry season resources - podcasts & videos (South-West WA Drought Resilience and Innovation Hub)
- Managing sheep in the poor season (DPIRD)
- Feeding and managing sheep in dry times (DPIRD)
- The Good Food Guide for Sheep (DPIRD)
Sheep supplementary feeding and nutrition
- Sheep feeding and nutrition (DPIRD)
- Condition scoring sheep (DPIRD)
- Supplementary feeding and feed budgeting for sheep (DPIRD)
- Alternative feed sources for sheep (DPIRD)
- Tips for hand feeding sheep (DPIRD)
- Sheep management and reproduction (DPIRD)
- Supplementary feeding calculator for pregnant and lactating ewes (DPIRD)
- Feed cost calculator (DPIRD)
- Other tools and resources for sheep and grazing management (DPIRD)
Confinement feeding
- Guidebook on managing breeding ewes in containment areas (MLA)
- Confined paddock feeding and feedlotting of sheep (DPIRD)
Animal welfare
- Animal welfare resources and publications (DPIRD)
- Assessing sheep body condition for transport or sale at saleyards (DPIRD)
- Are sheep and cattle fit to load? (DPIRD)
- Welfare decisions for sheep (DPIRD)
- Humane destruction of sheep and cattle (DPIRD)
Pasture management
- Deferred grazing at the break of the season (DPIRD)
- Grazing annual pastures – using FOO as a guide (DPIRD)
- Annual pasture quality and quantity (DPIRD)
- Grazing crops for extra winter feed (DPIRD)
- Boosting winter pasture growth with nitrogen (DPIRD)
- Annual Ryegrass Toxicity (DPIRD)
Water
- Water quality information for livestock (DPIRD)
- Water budgeting information for different classes of stock (DPIRD)
Support
- Funding and support information for WA primary producers (DPIRD)
- Western Australia’s rural support services (DPIRD)
Upcoming Events
We are currently arranging the following workshops across the state for July, August and September:
If you are interested in attending any of these workshops or are keen to have one of these workshops in your region, then please register your interest by getting in touch with Georgia at georgia@awiextensionwa.com or on 0408 947 488.