Hands-on sheep course
ABORIGINAL landowners in the southern agricultural region are looking to lift the productivity of their sheep enterprises as a result of hands-on training in livestock management.
The training is being delivered through the Department of Agriculture and Food WA's (DAFWA) Sheep Industry Business Innovation (SIBI) project, in partnership with the DAFWA's Aboriginal Business Development project.
Landholders from properties based at Bremer Bay, Cranbrook and Bunbury are part-way through the Lifetime Ewe Management program (LTEM), a nationally-accredited course providing best practice management principles for ewe management to increase on-farm productivity and profitability.
DAFWA and accredited LTEM facilitator Perry Dolling said he was impressed by the commitment made by the participants and their appetite for practical knowledge.
"The participants have a genuine interest in running sheep on their farms and they are looking at ways to improve their management skills," Mr Dolling said.
"The interactive, hands-on, visual approach of the program really makes a difference."
Bruce Loo, of the Banjelungup Aboriginal Corporation which runs a sheep property at Bremer Bay, said the program had brought expert advice and knowledge to help overcome the obstacles for running successful sheep enterprises.
"As a group, we now have land but accept we have low or no skills in sheep production," Mr Loo said.
"A real highlight was seeing how Cranbrook farmer Ian Walsh is managing his flock to produce the evenness of the sheep condition and wool across the whole flock.
"I'm looking forward to the next few days of the workshop to really finish it off."
Sale wrap
IN the lead up to the Christmas break there are still plenty of opportunities for buyers out there to snap up cattle and sheep to fill requirements in the last few sales of 2016.
A reminder that today at Boyanup Saleyards Landmark agents will yard 400 head of cattle for this year's South West Premium F1 Female sale, so don't miss the chance and head on over for the 11.30am start.
Tomorrow is a particularly busy day in the sale calendar with sales in Boyanup, Kojonup and Mt Barker, ensuring buyers won't have to travel too far to get to their nearest sale.
Boyanup Saleyards will be filled with 800 head of beef and dairy cattle, the majority of the yarding made up of dairy steers, with the sale conducted by Elders due to get underway at 1pm.
Primaries is hosting a Special Breeders Sale at Mt Barker on Friday with 200 head of mated heifers and cows due to be sold at the conclusion of the trade sale.
Lines of PTIC heifers and cows will be available, with the majority of the yarding Simmental, Simmental cross and Angus.
And if you're looking for sheep, the place to be will be Kojonup Saleyards on Friday, December 16 at 1pm, where 6000 head of ewes and lambs will go under the hammer.
Elders' Annual Great Southern Breeder Sale will be held at Mt Barker Regional Cattle Saleyards on Monday, December 19.
Getting under way at 1pm, there will be cow and calf units available along with 300 PTIC heifers and 350 PTIC cows from a range of Great Southern vendors.
Manjimup will see a selection of quality weaners on Tuesday, December 20 with Primaries and Elders joining forces to offer 700 head of local weaners and with Landmark making their offering of weaners at Boyanup on Wednesday, December 21.
For more details on these sales refer to the advertisements in this week's and last week's Farm Weekly.
Xmas sales roster
WITH the festive season approaching, even your friendly neighbourhood livestock agent deserves a break.
At the Muchea Livestock Centre, the final sale for the year will be on Monday, December 19 with selling recommencing on Monday January 9, 2017, with Primaries the first cab off the rank.
Mt Barker Saleyards will also go quiet on Monday, December 19 when the hammer falls on the last lot at the Elders Breeders Sale.
Things will kick off again with the Landmark Special Black Angus Weaner Sale on Tuesday, January 3, 2017.
In Katanning, sales conclude on Wednesday, December 21 and recommence on Wednesday, January 4, 2017.
Fundraiser
A HUGE Shorthorn steer affectionately known as Big Red was sold at Muchea Livestock Centre on Monday with all proceeds from the sale going to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).
Offered by Landmark on behalf of Tim Cool and Tony McCarthy, the steer from Moora stands close to seven feet at the shoulder and weighed in at 1022kg.
Landmark auctioneer Brad Keevers said the bidding was strong between Western Meat Packers, Borrello Beef and Harvey Beef, but in the end it was Kim McDougall from Harvey Beef who made the winning bid of 220c/kg to secure the steer and donate $2248 to the RFDS.
