Sheep eID will be discussed at the Sheep CRC field day.

PRACTICAL sheep measurement, management and monitoring innovations will be outlined and demonstrated at a field day at Armidale this month.

The Sheep CRC’s Sheep Innovation Day at the University of New England’s (UNE) Kirby Farm in Armidale on Friday, May 29, aims to give producers a clear view of research programs and equipment that can make a difference to business performance.

A key theme of the day will be the importance of measurement to making better management and selection decisions.  This is the key to managing the risk of compromised wellbeing, within-flock selection for productivity, management of prime lamb performance and genetic improvement, the Sheep CRC said.

Practical hands-on demonstrations

Sheep CRC’s industry engagement and training co-ordinator Lu Hogan says that as well as presentations on the CRC’s research initiatives, there will also be practical hands-on demonstrations of the latest measurement systems and sheep handling equipment.

“Producers will have the opportunity to discuss details of the latest in electronic identification (eID) technologies that  make flock management easier and more productive as well as seeing equipment in action and trialling it themselves”, she said.

“The company reps that sell the equipment as well as the Kirby staff that have extensive experience in the measurement and management systems will be on-hand to discuss all practical aspects.”

Leading researchers will talk on genetics, welfare and eID

The innovation day will start with presentations from sheep industry experts:

Sheep CRC CEO James Rowe: Overview of the latest Sheep CRC research

UNE Prof. Geoff Hinch: Sheep wellbeing and productivity

MLA Adoption Manager Richard Apps: Sheep meat value chains

UNE Dr. Sam Clarke: Genetics and genomics

Sheep Genetics Manager Hamish Chandler: The Resource Flock and Followers

Lu Hogan: Using eID in sheep enterprises

Fleece tracking and auto drafting after lunch

Sheep are put through an auto drafter at Kirby Farm, Armidale.

After lunch the innovation day will move to the new shearing shed at Kirby, where producers will be able to talk with the shed designer and see fleece tracking and measurement in action. There will also be demonstrations of weighing, auto-drafting and data management using different systems.

Blood card sampling for genomic testing is becoming increasingly important for ram breeders and there will be a demonstration and discussion on this technology.

Supported by the Sheep CRC, Meat & Livestock Australia and University of New England, the free innovation day includes morning tea and a barbecue lunch.

Where: SMART House Innovation Centre & Shearing Shed, Kirby Farm, Weir’s Road, Armidale

When: Friday, May 29 2015 10am-3.00pm

RSVP: Tuesday, May 26. Ph: 02 6773 2927 or email [email protected]

More information is available from www.sheepcrc.com.au

Source: Sheep CRC