Welcome to the inaugural ADWDA eNews.
When ADWDA was set up in 2010, Neil Gadsden (inaugural President) said:
"The growth in the Dorper and White Dorper breeds has been exceptional, but it is now time to take them forward, beyond individual stud breeder interests to a united group encompassing the total sheep industry chain."
He also said ADWDA was set up to "have a national representation and core focus on the commercial sheep industry."
These words have never rung more true than today as the technological advancements of gene and DNA testing, tracking of genetic traits, ASBV's, online Auctions, ET and AI work have all helped fuel breeders enthusiasm to continually improve the carcass attributes, performance levels and ease of management characteristics that have made the Dorper breeds so successful.
To further ADWDA's mission of commercial focus and the free interchange of ideas to achieve widespread success, the Board has committed to providing a quarterly newsletter where all members can share stories about any aspect of their sheep production system, life or history with like-minded individuals. We also invite anyone from the wider allied sheep production businesses to contribute. Tom Bartholomaeus from Beachport Liquid Minerals is kick starting this with a run down on his new business venture.
We hope that you find the information interesting, can take a couple of ideas away from each issue and enjoy getting to know each other's varied farming operations.
- The ADWDA Board
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Association News:
New ADWDA Secretary appointed.
The ADWDA Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Nikki Ward as Secretariat of the Australian Dorper and White Dorper Association.
We wish to thank Rural Services and the RA&HS for their support since the inception of ADWDA in 2010.
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Nikki grew up on a sheep farm in the South East of SA assisting her family with the operation of their Burwood & Tapton White Suffolk Studs. From 2007 to 2019 she was employed as a Breed Society Secretary at the RA&HS of SA and she brings with her over 12 years experience in secretarial and financial day-to-day running of sheep societies.
Nikki now runs her own secretarial business enabling her to combine her passion for the sheep industry with a suitable work/like balance for her family.
We warmly welcome Nikki and look forward to the energy and enthusiasm she brings to ADWDA as we continue to evolve and service our commercially focused members.
Please ensure you direct all future ADWDA correspondence to Nikki on the below details:
Mobile: 0488 018 765
Email: adwdasecretary@gmail.com
Address: PO Box 194, St Agnes SA 5097
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Managing a drought in marginal pastoral country.
Contributor: Brendan Duncan, Glen Esk Station
Managing a drought or even just dry times is always an interesting excercise and one we can all do without.
I have spent all my life in pastoral country with an annual rainfall of 200 to 220mm. I have come to the conclusion that you are always in drought. You are either going into a drought or dry time, or coming out of one.
Every drought is different but they all end up with the same result; no feed and stress on the livestock and the manager.
Following the drought in the early 2000's, I decided to start preparations for the next one and based on my experiences over many years I have been asked to share how we, at Glen Esk Station, planned for, managed and survived the recent drought.
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The musings of a retired founding Dorper breeder.
Contributor: Denis Russell
Over the first ten years or so of the Dorper breed, the initial breed society was established with principally commercial breeders that may also have had the stud experience with other breeds/species. It was a time of cooperation and most Board members became friends.
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The aim was to keep it simple - the first constitution was slashed down to a bare minimum much like the one at the time for the White Suffolk society, the majority of the Board kept resisting things like typing and any form of elitism - any regulations resolved to keep everyone included and the focus on the commercial perspective. This trend later changed with more political intent in the background and became quite a contentious meeting place - I believe this opened the way for an alternative society to restore the original focus.
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I have been in a number of breeds in the commercial sector – some faded out after the high promotions of the early years because they were not truly commercial outside of green grass and grain feeder territory. From the moment the Dorper went out into commercial ewes it did not need big promotions, did not need a breed society to remind people of its positive traits – it actually did the hard yards and changed the pastoral region into another prime lamb sector. It sold itself. Certainly it took some time as farmers were hammered with so many “wonderful” options but as soon as those first lambs hit the deck they were convinced. Many of those are still in business only because they made that change.
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Spring outlook.
Contributor: Troy Hartman, Nutrien Ag Solutions
Looking forward to another change of scenery and the timing might be just right as the Broken Hill area has finally seen a couple of good rainfall events. After years of drought the last couple of months have seen from 25mm to 75mm across the West Darling region. With the forecast for spring to be above average rainfall, let's hope they are right this time.
Buying livestock to restock the area won't be easy with sheep and cattle prices at record levels, however we are heading in the right direction.
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The Mt Gipps Dorper Ram Sale was postponed due to the problems associated with Covid-19 and at this stage if the weather continues to be kind to us all we will look forward to having a sale in the first half of 2021.
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I am looking forward to the challenge of my new role as the Livestock Manager at Nutrien Broken Hill. I will be starting officially on Monday 19th October and will be out and about amongst the fresh feed eager to meet with graziers. In the meantime if you need any help with your livestock sourcing or marketing I am just a phone call away on 0418 193 368.
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Business Spotlight:
Beachport Liquid Minerals.
Introducing Tom Bartholomaeus,SA Regional Manager at Beachport Liquid Minerals (BLM).
Originally from a Pastoral property in SA, Tom completed B. Ag at Roseworthy Campus with Adelaide Uni. He then spent time working on and managing properties in both dry pastoral and higher rainfall areas.
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Following that, Tom became involved as a partner in a private stock agency before returning back to the land when his family purchased another pastoral property near Broken Hill. 2017 saw the sale of his property and since then he has combined stock agency work with developing and running a small livestock farm on the Fleurieu Peninsula in SA. Having used Beachport products in his operations he was very pleased to accept the role of SA Regional Manager.
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Beachport Liquid Minerals (BLM) products are a unique combination of trace elements, natural amino acids and electrolytes derived in part through seagrass/kelp. This 3-in-1 combination helps in the conversion of both dry and green feed by improving absorption and retention in the rumen.
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This in turn helps to naturally increase the production of the livestock. BLM products are designed for ease of use and simplicity through water medication to aid in feed conversion; general livestock health; trace element deficiencies; improved fertility; change of diet; lower stress levels; better weaning; decreasing shrinkage in trainsit; intro and exit from feedlots.
Further information on the 3 in 1 formulation and which products would suit your stock visit the BLM website and download the fact sheets.
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Breaking routines.
Contributor: Dwain Duxson, Farm Tender and DelayPay
They say everything is going to go digital these days, but in reality that's not the case. Don't get me wrong, digital change is here, digital change is on the way and digital change will happen. But what about Ag?
We started our online marketplace (Farm Tender) nine years ago, and let me say, every member we have onboarded, every listing someone has created, and every sale we have made has been hard work. Like you sheep breeders, nothing is presented on a platter in Ag. It's hard yards, no matter what part of Ag you are involved in.
That also doesn't mean we stop trying new things or breaking our current routines. We have to think about where we are headed as a business, a sheep breeder, as a family, or as an individual.
So my little 20 cents worth is: make sure you keep your eye on things, open your mind up and experiment. Especially the younger guys out there. Opportunities will present, you will pick some winners and back some losers but don't worry too much about the losers, they have to happen. We (at Farm Tender), are constantly backing losers, but amongst those losers have been a couple of gems.
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 Keep an eye out for Farm Tender's new Digital Livestock Exchange. It will soon replace the "Livestock" category on Farm Tender. Our new selling rate is 1% (flat rate, $50 min). Maybe an option for excess Dorper rams?
For more information contact Hannah Anderson 0429 479 072 or hannaha@farmtender.com.au
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Industry Insights.
Each newsletter our Industry Insights section will bring you the latest industry information to help you stay in touch and useful tips and tools to assist with your sheep production and breeding goals.
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Why use genomics in sheep breeding?
The goal of every sheep breeder is to turn off progeny that are more profitable and productive than the previous generation.
New objective genetic evaluation tools like DNA testing allow breeders to press 'fast forward' and accelerate the rate of genetic gain in their flock by giving early access to information on hard-to-measure traits, like intramuscular fat and tenderness.
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Top tips for joining LAMBPLAN.
Having your flock in LAMBPLAN is a great way to make faster genetic gain and use tools like genomics. LAMBPLAN delivers Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) which you can use for getting faster rates of genetic gain in your flock but also as a tool to help sell rams. So what are the steps to getting ASBVs on your sheep?
LAMBPLAN shares their top 5 tips on how to join, and at the moment it's free!
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What you need to know about the new NVDs.
Producers are benefiting from changes to the National Vendor Declaration (NVD) this year, with an easier, more efficient and cost-effective system.
The changes came into effect on 1 July - do you know about them and what it means for your business?
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