Helping farmers maximise stock management areas and EID technology

Sheep and cattle farmers looking to improve their understanding of the role and benefits of stock management areas and electronic identification technology (EID) are invited to attend a Riverine Plains demonstration day at Howlong on Thursday 15 June, 2023.

The day will have a focus on helping farmers maximise the use and efficiency of stock management areas, as well as using EID technology to make better livestock management decisions.

Riverine Plains Livestock Project Officer, Sophie Hanna, explained that stock management areas can be hugely beneficial in maintaining livestock production efficiency and stock condition when feed supply is short.

“In dry times, a dedicated stock management area can play a critical role in protecting soils, pasture persistence, maintaining livestock performance, increasing labour efficiency and can also help an enterprise recover more quickly when conditions improve,” she said.

The event aims to build farmer confidence in using stock management areas, with Garry Armstrong and Rebecca Stacey (Murray LLS) to speak on the practical elements of stock management area design, including construction and regulation, nutrition and animal management.

“Our host, Ian Trevethan, will also share his experience with stock management areas during drought, as well as the issues and the opportunities that can arise,” added Ms Hanna.

EID tags will become mandatory for sheep and goats across Australia from January 2025 and the event will have a focus on how to maximise the use of this technology to better inform livestock decisions.

“There is huge scope for EID technology to help farmers collect individual performance data including weight gain, pregnancy status and fleece weight, which can then be used to inform management and culling decisions with respect to the seasonal conditions,” said Ms Hanna.

Garry Armstrong will discuss EID technology for livestock traceability and biosecurity, while Henry Hickson (Nextgen Agri) will speak on collecting and managing data to inform management decisions. There will also be demonstrations by Tru-Test, Gallagher and Te Pari, as well as a farmer discussion panel.

The event will be held on Thursday 15 June 2023 from 8am – 1.30pm. 

Riverine Plains will also host a webinar  led by Nextgen Agri, on Wednesday 21 June to further explore EID data collection and interpretation for decision making.

“Riverine Plains is looking forward to facilitating more livestock-related events, demonstrations and field trials across the region and we invite farmers to join us at one of our upcoming activities,” concluded Ms Hanna.

For more information, please contact Riverine Plains Livestock Project Officer Sophie Hanna, sophie@riverineplains.org.au or phone the Riverine Plains office (03) 5744 1713.

This event is being held as part of the Saving Our Soils During Drought project through the Southern NSW Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, supported by Local Land Services, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.

This event is also supported by the Australian Government’s Agricultural Innovation Hubs Program, through the Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub.