Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford will feature among an excellent line up at BCG’s only fully livestock focused event with Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) managing director Richard Norton and research, development and innovation manager Matt McDonagh delivering presentations as well as renowned livestock consultant San Jolly (Productive Nutrition).
BCG CEO Chris Sounness said since its inception in 2013 the Sheep Management Showcase had gone from strength to strength with over 220 sheep producers attending last year’s event and strong interest this year.
“Graziers and mixed farmers in north west Victoria are keenly seeking information about innovations and opportunities that can help them to refine and improve their livestock enterprises,” he said.
“This has been evidenced by the level of interest and enthusiasm for BCG’s annual livestock event.
“Meat and Livestock Australia have also come on board this year, supporting the event and taking the opportunity to connect with farmers in our region.”
A variety of topics will be covered at the Showcase including:
- The effects of grazing crops on soil health – Harm van Rees (CropFacts);
- Livestock monitoring and grazing management using new technologies such as drones, gps tracking collars and virtual fencing – Mark Trotter (UNE);
- Driving lamb growth rates, crop grazing nutrition and planning for a dry finish – San Jolly (Productive Nutrition);
- Finishing lambs in the Mallee – Anne Jackman (CropFacts) and Jonathan Nield (CopRice);
- Feeding and finishing lambs – Chris Dorahy (producer, Nareen); and
- Containment management – Peter Velthius (Horsham).
The event has designed to be interactive and will also feature product demonstrations from: Te Pari Racewell (sheep handler), O’Connors Farm Machinery (Manitou telehandler), Arrow Farmquip (V-express sheep handler), Atlex (sheep yards and design), Dynamic Dipping (mobile sheep dipping) and Clipex (sheep handler).
The 2015 BCG Sheep Management Showcase will run from 9am to 4pm on July 29. The event will be staged at the property of Bryan and Chris Hogan, approximately one kilometer north east of Birchip on Berriwillock-Birchip Road. Catering, including a lamb-themed lunch, will be available on site with BCG providing complementary sundowner drinks and nibbles at the end of the day.
For information go to: www.bcg.org.au or phone (03) 5492 2787.
