Update for landholders on latest sheep research

Sheep producers in the Bathurst region interested in hearing about the latest livestock health research are encouraged to attend a sheep health meeting being run by the Tablelands Livestock Health and Pest Authority.

The sheep health meeting will be held on Monday 5 July at the Bathurst Primary Industry Centre (formerly Agricultural Research Station), Research Station Drive, from 10am to 1pm.

Tablelands LHPA senior district veterinarian, Bruce Watt says the meeting is an opportunity for sheep producers to get an update on the authority’s research into health and production issues affecting local sheep flocks.

"Our LHPA project officer Dr Jeff Eppleston, along with I&I NSW staff, has been doing extensive on-farm trials with local producers over the past two to three years," Dr Watt said.

"This meeting is an opportunity for us to update a wider audience of landholders on the results and information we’ve gathered so far."

Bathurst sheep producer Richard Webb has been involved in on-property trials researching the impact of weaner growth on maiden reproductive performance.

"This research is important because it’s using on-farm conditions and the results are helping us keep abreast of new developments," Mr Webb said.

"It is so much easier to understand the research and its results when they are applied to your enterprise, and I think other farmers attending this meeting will find that the results may help their management systems."

Speakers at the meeting will cover a range of on-farm research including:

• The impact of weaner growth on maiden reproductive performance – Sue Hatcher, I&I NSW
• Is there an advantage to yard-weaning Merinos? – Sue Hatcher, I&I NSW
• Experiences with yard-weaning Merinos – Malcolm Peake, Bogo Merinos
• Selenium treatment increases weaner growth and fleece weight in local Merino flock – Jeff Eppleston
• The prevalence of lice in Tablelands LHPA – a progress report on our local survey – Bruce Watt
• Developments in worm control – Bruce Watt
• Future monitoring in the Tablelands LHPA – Bruce Watt

Attendees are asked to RSVP for catering purposes by 30 June, either by phoning the Bathurst office on 6331 1377 or emailing jeff.eppleston@lhpa.org.au. Morning tea and lunch will be provided.

Media contact: Suzie Robinson 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378