NRLE eID work nearing completion
The Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange is close to finalising the installation of electronic identification (eID) equipment and infrastructure for sheep. The Naracoorte Lucindale Council confirmed the progress, noting that it allocated nearly $1 million in this financial year for improvements to the sheep yards.
Australian Sheep and Wool Show – Bendigo, 18-20 July 2025
Australian Sheep and Wool Show
The Australian Sheep and Wool Show is no ordinary gathering of fleece and flair: this year’s event is gearing up...
Hay farmers take centre stage in national MLA initiatives
Farmers and graziers from the Hay region have recently featured at the forefront of national outreach efforts by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), demonstrating how local expertise is shaping broader industry knowledge and showcasing regional resilience to a national audience ... Recent features by MLA highlight the work of Jess Armstrong, and Jack and Annabel Hanna.
Sheep producers show resilience
The latest Sheep Producers Intentions Survey (SPIS), conducted by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), reveals a significant shift in producer sentiment and flock management strategies across the nation. This shift is being driven by volatile market conditions, extreme weather events, and regulatory changes, most notably the planned phase-out of live sheep exports.
Griffith Saleyards smash national record with $431 for heavy lambs
Friday the 13th may be unlucky for some, but it turned out to be a record-breaking day for the Griffith Saleyards recently. A new national record price was set for heavy lambs when prices surged to $431 per head, exceeding the previous record set just a day earlier at Wagga.
Sheep dog trials are baaa-ck in Barmera
Madison Eastmond. Kicking off at 8am this morning due to an unprecedented number of entries, the annual SA Sheep Dog Trials have returned to the Barmera Oval this week, with action continuing through to Sunday afternoon ... "A lot of our competitors tell us (Barmera) is the best trials they go to — with the town, the lake, and the extra entertainment we put on.": SA Sheepdog Trials organiser Bob Clark.
Stock theft: Be alert
A Newstead farmer is fuming, and members of his community are rallying, after his neighbour witnessed his sheep being stolen. Tony Butler had attended a protest with emergency services volunteers in Melbourne on Tuesday 20 May when he says the incident occurred.
Twin lamb disease
Dr Jeff Cave. As we move towards winter sheep producers may begin to see cases of pregnancy toxaemia or twin lamb disease in their ewes. Twin lamb disease occurs when ewes have an inadequate energy intake during the last 4 to 6 weeks of pregnancy.
From grass to glass – Sustainable grazing between the vine rows
Peter Christen. If you've ever wandered through Panacea Estate and seen a flock of sheep wandering between the vine rows, you might have wondered: What are they doing here? The answer is simple and surprisingly effective. They're helping us make better wine.
Beefed-up exports: Bendigo Bank Agribusiness forecasts potential record-breaking month
Bendigo Bank Agribusiness’ Monthly Commodity Update, released today, reports even higher beef export volumes in early May, and heralds the possible breaking of the previous monthly export record for cattle, set in October 2024.
Suffering in silence: Farmers call for a hand up, not handouts
Around the state, Mr Schinckel said the amount of money spent by producers nowadays would be something in the order of $10-$15 million per week per 1000 producers. “So, $50m that the SA government is offering is not going to go far—it’s a drop in the ocean.” ... He believed that the state and federal governments did not know or understand livestock production.
Agricultural outlook for April favourable for beef and wool while croppers keep an eye on the sky ahead of seeding window: Bendigo and Adelaide...
...Bendigo Bank Agribusiness’ Monthly Commodity Update finds that US tariffs should have less impact than initially expected, however dry conditions across key cropping regions still have grain producers on edge. Lamb markets are stable with wool a bright spot, while supply chain issues for fruit and vegetables have seen a lift in wholesale prices on the east coast...
RaboResearch commentary: ‘Liberation Day’ US tariffs and Australia’s agricultural exports
April 2 was ‘Liberation Day’ in the USA and Donald Trump has announced his promised reciprocal tariffs on trading partners. There is a baseline minimum tariff rate of 10 per cent for all countries except Canada and Mexico (who have been affected by previous tariff announcements).
Australian red meat industry disappointed with US tariff decision: RMAC
The Red Meat Advisory Council (RMAC) and its members are disappointed in the United States’ decision to impose tariffs on Australian red meat exports destined for the US ... “However, it remains a disappointing decision from the US, in stark contrast to our 20-year partnership under the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA),” Mr McKillop said.
India’s economic awakening: The game-changer for WA’s sheep industry
Omika Upadhayay. India, the world’s most overlooked economic success story, is on the cusp of a transformation that could have profound implications for Western Australia’s sheep industry.
Wakool Sheep Races bleating successful
Crowds flocked to Wakool for the Annual Sheep Races on Saturday night. Frocks, fleeces and fine attire all made their way onto the ground to watch the sold-out races. Track conditions were favourable, the firm but forgiving ground boded well for competitive racing action.
Full house for sheep night at Wakool
“I'm actually embarrassed to say now that I used to think sheep farmers had it easy.” said sheep expert Geoff Duddy, addressing the Best Wool Best Lamb meeting at Wakool. Geoff spent 27 years with NSW DPI in both Sheep and Wool research and extension roles before establishing his own private sheep consultancy ...
Production records to be broken as Australian cattle herd and sheep flock decline: MLA 2025 projections
Australia’s national cattle herd and sheep flock are both expected to decline slightly as record production, slaughter and exports meet demand, according to Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) 2025 Cattle and Sheep Industry Projections. The cattle herd is projected to fall by 1.4 per cent to 30.1 million head in 2025 due to increased turn-off of older breeding cows and dry conditions in Southern Australia.
Geoff and Ace win top dog at Gundagai Show
Geoff McDougall and champion kelpie Ace recently won the open section of the South West Slopes Championships Working Dog Trial ... Yard dog trials are competitions that test the skills of dogs and their handlers in guiding sheep around a course.
Another insult as ads to stop live sheep exports get $2.3 million: Littleproud
Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said live sheep export farmers have been dealt another insulting blow by the Albanese Labor Government, amid revelations $2.3 million of the budget allocated to phase out live sheep exports has gone to a global media company for advertising.
Review – Paul Simons: His Remarkable Life on Land and Sea
Paul Simons is a genuine phenomenon. He is a charming, unassuming person, who is also a captain of industry ... this account of his life shows that when an opportunity presented itself, he had the courage and self-assurance to take it and do whatever he had to do.
New book celebrates the Modern Merino
Heather Fleming. A new book detailing the story of the Modern Merino sheep in Australia was launched at the Grampians Estate Cellar Door at Great Western last weekend. "Collinsville and Beyond: a pastoral history of the Modern Merino," was written by Chris Guthrie, well known breeder, classer and consultant from Rich Avon, near Donald.
