Small farms sheep workshop
July 2019
Andrew Britton
Small Landholder Engagement Officer
The South Coast and Southern Highlands Sheep Network gathered recently at Berry to share ideas and strategies on managing sheep on small farms, and to discuss seasonal issues heading into winter and spring this year.
The Sheep Network has been running on-farm workshops since 2005, coordinated by the Small Farms Network and now Local Land Services.
These regular workshops provide an important social and peer learning opportunity for local sheep producers to connect and discuss major issues such as barbers pole worm management, lambing issues and rotational grazing.
Local land manager and workshop host, Henrietta Summerhayes is a big supporter of the network.
“The sheep group is an invaluable resource for those who know little and love our sheep lots!
“It’s a great chance to gain knowledge, share ideas, and meet others in the same boat. We all have small herds and big hearts and if it wasn’t for the LLS, we could all go baa-ing mad!!”
The workshop attended by 29 land managers, was held on Henrietta’s farm and the discussion was led by Col Langford (former NSW DPI Sheep Livestock Officer) and supported by Local Land Services staff, Dr Evelyn Walker (District Vet) and Helen Smith (Agricultural Advisor).
The workshop included an open Q&A session before lunch, followed by a practical skills sessions and paddock walk in the afternoon.
The sheep workshops, like many other small farms workshops are a great day out, a fun place to learn and very social.
The workshops also provide a great environment for the next generation of land managers to learn. Six TAFE students attended the latest workshop and one student, on her first day at TAFE, jumped in and learnt how to roll a sheep, inspected their teeth, feet and condition.
Prograze
A Sheep PROGRAZE® group for the South Coast and Southern Highlands is currently open for registration. Sheep producers are invited to participate in PROGRAZE® which will start in late September. PROGRAZE® develops land manager’s skills in pasture and animal assessment and aims to improve the productivity and sustainability of grazing systems. PROGRAZE® is presented over 8 workshops, generally held 4 - 6 weeks apart. The course is hands-on, conducted on group member’s farms with on-paddock activities.
Every Bit Counts
The South Coast and Southern Highlands Sheep Network and PROGRAZE® is supported by the Every Bit Counts project which aims to engage and support all land managers no matter what size property or enterprise they manage. For more information on the Every Bit Counts project contact Andrew Britton on (02) 4464 6008 or Email: andrew.britton@lls.nsw.gov.au