IF you haven't already, make sure you mark Tuesday, September 13 in your calendar to attend the Sheep Easy Field Day at Muresk Campus in Northam.
Now in its fifth year, Sheep Easy is the annual field day delivered by 'The Sheep's Back', Australian Wool Innovation's (AWI) WA grower network.
Sheep Easy field day co-ordinator Ed Riggall said the field day in the past had proved popular and been attended by about 300 people annually.
"It was established in response to the common complaint that sheep are hard work and it aims to address the problem by presenting a combination of sheep systems and new technology solutions that make the whole package easier," Mr Riggall said.
A feature of this year's field day is that several of the presenters and demonstrators are WA farmers who have developed inventions and products which are all aimed at making running sheep easier.
* David Slade, Mt Barker, will be presenting in the recipe-for-sheep easy section, displaying The Easy Fencer - a tractor-mounted trailer that takes the hard work out of rolling-out and straining fences. It won the innovation award at last year's Newdegate Machinery Field Days.
* Russell Meaton, Kojonup, who won the sheep elevator award at last year's Sheep Easy day, has refined his product and will demonstrate it this year. As sheep get heavier, this invention which assists in getting sheep onto the back of the ute, is invaluable. Russell has developed both a powered version and a non-powered version.
* Allan Wilson, Katanning, was sick of not having an app for sheep management that did what he wanted so he developed his own app, which is simple, effective and gives great reports on what and where its happening with stock on the farm. Mymobtracker also allocates tasks and helps with multiple businesses.
* Brad Wooldridge has been working with other farmers in the Arthur River district and Dr Mark Trotter to help develop technology, that with the use of Greenseeker and a smart phone, allows farmers to evaluate FOO by phone. Brad will be demonstrating the technology in the paddock.
Mr Riggall said on top of the technological assistance to farmers there will also be other great demonstrations that are relevant to growers.
"Sheep's Back advisory panel member Roger House presented at the inaugural Sheep Easy day that dogs were an essential component in the industry," Mr Riggall said.
"A bad dog is better than no dog at all.
"This year we are fixing this problem, with sheep dog specialist Jenny Parsons, who is great at managing people manage their dogs and will be putting the Sheep's Back panel members through their paces with their dogs throughout the day.
"Another common thing we hear from producers is, 'I can't come sorry I have to check the stock water'.
"Well we are solving this issue as well.
"Gallagher will be demonstrating its solutions to this problem with water monitoring equipment that allows growers to have more faith in troughs and tanks and reduce the work tied up in managing stock water over summer."
Also speaking during the event will be Merino stud breeder Brett Jones, Ejanding stud, Dowerin, who will discuss his journey with ASBVs with genetics specialist Meghan Cornelius and demonstrate how it works for him.
Mr Riggall said the grower forum will again be a highlight this year.
"It has always been the most popular section of the Sheep Easy field day and has had some memorable presentations over the years," he said
This year's presenters are again from throughout the State - Jason Stokes, Chapman Valley; Ron Creagh, Nungarin and David Slade, Tenterden.
Mr Riggall said they all run profitable, optimally-stocked enterprises for their environment that by their own admission wouldn't work unless their systems were focused on making it as easy as possible.
This year the presentations and demonstrations run all day with keynote speaker Peter Morris, PJ Morris exporters, speaking over lunch.
Andrew Ritchie, Icon Ag, will also present the State's benchmark data, demonstrating what's possible production-wise and State-wide, before finishing up the day with a sundowner.
So make sure you have the day marked on the calendar and get along and see how producing sheep can be made a lot easier.
You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Please RSVP your attendance via email: admin@sheepsback.com.au or phone 9736 1055.
