Wanting to make changes to your flock management, but aren’t sure where to start? Want to use the data you have collected to make better informed decisions, but not sure how to use it? We have the project for you!

The MLA funded ‘Realising benefits from sheep eIDs’ producer demonstration project is once again open for participant applications!

This project is a producer-led project, with the support from Southern Farming Systems and Birchip Cropping Group. Producers use their sheep eID tags to collect management data on their chosen traits/performance measures, in order to make well-informed decisions later on.

Current participants are using their projects to; record fleece production and quality in individual animals, tracking prime lamb weight gain for targeted market supply, ewe management mobs during pregnancy (splitting multiple bearing ewes from single bearing), ram performance tracking through progeny performance, and labour reduction using auto drafters, just to name a few.

The aim of the project is to measure the effectiveness of eID recorded data in reducing labour and time in yards, reducing handling stress, and making better informed decisions around genetics, feeding and management. Producers get support in choosing equipment and data programs where required and help with trouble shooting.

In 2023 there will be a demonstration day held in the Ballarat region with service providers, industry representatives and equipment demonstrations surrounding eID related equipment and it’s uses on farms. Some financial assistance for sourcing equipment or programs is available upon application needs, please contact Tahlia to discuss.

This project is open to all Victorian based sheep producers, in wool, prime lamb, and stud operations. Contact Tahlia Ferguson at tferguson@sfs.org.au for more information, or to receive project entry forms.