Rockdale Beef restructure
Rockdale Beef, which operates a large export beef cattle feedlot and meatworks at Yanco, has announced a significant restructure of their operations that will result in 150 job losses and a major reduction in cattle numbers at the feedlot. This change will have a significant effect on the local and wider regional community. Besides the loss of jobs, many cattle producers and grain suppliers will now be looking for alternative markets for their cattle and grain. According to Rockdale Beef General Manager Paul Troja, the company is hoping to ride out the combined effects of drought and the global economic downturn and return to higher production as soon as possible.
On-farm fuel safety
Fuel distributors are increasingly demanding a certain level of safety infrastructure before they will deliver fuel to farmers. Some distributors now refuse to climb any form of ladder or stairway and will only fill up fuel tanks that are fitted with a ground fill facility. There are occupational health and safety guidelines governing safety requirements for filling on-farm tanks, but it was also important for farmers to consult their local fuel distributors to determine their specific requirements. Previous solutions such as access stairs and railed platforms are becoming unacceptable as fuel companies set to eliminate any risk of a fall when filling up on-farm.
Scanning ewes
New research is showing that ultrasound scanning to detect empty, single and twin bearing ewes can increase productivity and increase profits. Increasing numbers of Merino and prime lamb producers are using scanning to more accurately target ewe nutrition and to inform culling decisions. Industry estimates are that over 100 contractor businesses are now scanning almost 30 per cent of the national ewe flock. Different management of single and twin bearing ewes is vital in order to maximise lamb survival. The pregnancy status information provided by the scanners enables sheep breeders to accurately target nutrition and to differentially manage single and twin bearing ewes.
Australian bred bull tops New Zealand national
A bull resulting from the implantation of an imported Australian embryo secured the top price at the recent 2009 New Zealand All Breeds Beef Expo and National Sale. Farfield TM Modest 773 was the supreme champion Angus and performance class winner selling for the top price of $27,000 to a syndicate comprising Australian stud Vermont, Penshurst, Vic, and two New Zealand studs Goldwyn and Delmont. The embryo that produced this bull was flushed by Ardrossan Angus Stud at Holbrook and then implanted in New Zealand by the Farfield Angus Stud, showing how technology used in breeding systems has rapidly advanced.
Booligal Station
Booligal Station a 6,500 hectare grazing property north of Hay, was sold to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) for an undisclosed sum. This means that four stations in the western Riverina area have been purchased in recent times by the NPWS and are now deemed protected conservation areas. The property has been managed by Mrs Rae Naughton since the death of her husband five years ago. This sale marks an end of an era for both the Naughton family and the Hay sheep industry, as the property was established over a century ago and remained in the one family during that time.
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