The drought conditions on Tocal favoured the sheep flock, we had high lambing percentages and the lambs were sold at higher weaning weight than normal. Constant monitoring, worm testing and drench choice has kept the worms under control.Īs with all enterprises weather can have significant impacts on sheep and wool production. The two major challenges for our sheep enterprise continue to be Barbers Pole worm and wild dogs. With well breed sheep persistent management we are able to keep the challenges under control. ![]() Tocal has a number of challenges to contend with including high rainfall, high humidity, low quality pasture, internal parasites, dingos and wild dogs. What challenges do you face farming sheep on Tocal? The sheep and lambs provide a safe opportunity for novice students to learn valuable practical skills. The sheep and wool enterprise remains one of the big contributors to student training at Tocal College with student participation in drenching, vaccination, animal handling skills, crutching and shearing. Describe the day to day management of the sheep farm Rotational grazing principles employed as well as worm testing and vaccination for barbers pole worms and six-in-one for pulpy kidney, Black disease, Blackleg, Malignant oedema, tetanus and cheesy gland. Stockbook data is recorded and ewes are selected for lambing, work and muscle performance. Improved pasture is sown in two paddocks each year and supplementary feed is provided as needed. Describe the technology involved with the following Pasture/ supplementary feed ![]() Where do you sell Tocal lambs?Įwes were sold through the Dubbo sale yards and lambs were sold privately. Wool sales were also strong with 7 bales of sold for $11,965Ĭereal hay was purchased to feed the sheep during the worst of the drought in 2018/2019.2 Rams for $100 each and 132 lambs selling at $66 per head for total of $8,780.104 cull ewes at $150 per head for total of $13,940.Over 2019 the sheep enterprise continued much as the previous year with very good prices for sheep and lambs and reasonable prices for wool. ![]() A wool classing course is run each year in our shearing shed by NSW TAFE. Our annual shearing and wool classing is carried out by students. MarketsĪbout 150 lambs are sold as stores for later meat production, 100 ewes culled for ageĪnd type as well as 1,400kg of wool is produced each year. The flock of 200 breeding ewes is run for both meat and wool. The flock is grazed on both introduced and native pastures with some areas also irrigated in rotation with dairy heifers. The flock at Tocal is managed along commercial lines although its size and the humid climate in this area is not ideal for profitable sheep production. Sheep are run on part of the 100ha farm known as Bona Vista. We now keep our flock at 200 ewe breeders and 50 ewe hoggets and 25 lambs for student farm butchery training.įor more images taken on the Tocal farms go to our Tocal Farms Flickr album įor videos about the Tocal farms go to our YouTube channel (NSW SPI Schools Program) Details Size of the farm Using Stockbook data, ewes are culled on fleece weight, micron, fleece visual traits, lambing, lamb survival and conformation. ![]() In 2015 management moved into a consolidation culling program. There is no Maremma currently running with the sheep.įor several years Tocal had been in a flock-building period, keeping the bulk of ewe lambs on as breeders. Feral dog control is a key management area that is focussed on to eliminate losses of lambs and other young stock. The breeding of ewe lambs is where the Dohnes have excelled, saving Tocal $20,000 to $25,000 every 6 years for replacement 1st X ewes.Ī Maremma dog was introduced to the flock in 1997 following several dog attacks during lambing. The Dohne sheep are equal to the 1st X lambing percentages, management costs and ewes dollar for dollar returns on sales. The new Dohnes were run side by side for comparison for 5 years until we were able to breed up to a sustainable number of Dohne breeders. These sheep gradually replaced a 1st cross breeding enterprise that had been run for a long period of time. Tocal established a self-replacing Dohne flock in 2008.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |