News & Media

Research open day for sheep producers

Released on

Released on:
Monday, 27. February 2017 - 7:30

Using the latest research and technology to help sheep producers streamline and grow their business is the focus of a producer workshop in Katanning next month.

The Department of Agriculture and Food is hosting a Sheep Industry Research Open Day ‘Bewety and the Feast’ on 30 March from 9.30am-5pm at its Katanning Research Facility on Nyabing Road.

The event features industry experts discussing how research and technology can be used to make sheep farming easier and more dynamic, and can lead to increased lamb and sheep turn off.

Department sheep industry development director Bruce Mullan said it was an exciting time to be in the sheep industry with high prices for both sheep meat and wool supporting renewed interest and opportunities.

“The day will showcase the latest innovative developments across the industry that can improve labour efficiency, sheep traceability and breeding,” Dr Mullan said.

Presentations from department staff will include:

  • ‘EweTube; Let Siri do the sheepwork!’ from Beth Paganoni; and
  • ‘Labour or Love? Labour saving technologies that allow a life off farm’ from John Paul Collins.

Industry experts will cover a number of exciting research areas including:

  • ‘Chaos on the Maternity Ward: Can optimising lambing density to minimise mismothering improve lamb survival?’ from Amy Lockwood of Murdoch University; and
  • ‘Do I look fat in these genes?! Shedding some light on why owning skinny genes doesn’t guarantee their fit’ with Sarah Blumer of Murdoch University.

There will also be a demonstration on how the cut of meat and cooking can affect eating quality.

For further information or to register for the event, visit the department’s website or email Julia Smith at julia.smith@agric.wa.gov.au

The Sheep Industry Research Open Day is made possible by the department’s Sheep Industry Business Innovation project and in partnership with the Sheep Alliance of WA.

Media contacts: Lisa Bertram/Dionne Tindale, media liaison, +61 (0)8 9368 3937