Columns
Breaking down the livestock methane concerns
Around 15% of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions come from livestock production. In Australia, the contribution of methane emissions...Column Published: 25/11/2022
Biosecurity boost highlights important improvements
By Travis Tobin RECENT South Australian emergency animal disease preparedness activities and scenario planning exercises have identified gaps and concerns...Column Published: 24/10/2022
Tech needed to keep SA producers ahead
SOUTH Australian livestock producers are forward-thinking people, constantly on the lookout for technologies that will enable them to operate as...Column Published: 29/9/2022
Producer concern over rural rates
One of the key statistics to come out of Livestock SA’s recent producer priorities survey was the large portion of...Column Published: 26/8/2022
Livestock producers urged to improve compliance with traceability activities
All Livestock producers face significant business risk if an Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) outbreak reaches Australia, so now is the...Column Published: 13/7/2022
Is your business prepared to survive an emergency animal disease (EAD) outbreak on your farm?
Is your business prepared to survive an emergency animal disease (EAD) outbreak on your farm? A recent biosecurity risk exercise...Column Published: 4/7/2022
Fast reactions can help slow disease reach
Pene Keynes and Emily Buddle (Livestock SA) How would you respond to a livestock disease outbreak on farm? Would you...Column Published: 15/2/2022
Best Practice Biosecurity: Data at Heart
By Pene Keynes and Emily Buddle, South Australian Biosecurity Extension team The use of individual electronic identification (EID) is a...Column Published: 11/6/2021
Low flow project improves health of water catchments
By ANDREW CURTIS, Livestock SA Chief Executive Officer Water catchment health in the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges is showing improvement...Column Published: 3/6/2021
Motorcycle permit change concerning
LIVESTOCK SA is calling on the State Government to consider special provisions for young people working in farming operations to...Column Published: 26/3/2021
Signs keep stock, drivers safe
MOVING livestock across main roads can be a challenging and dangerous task which is why appropriate safety measures need to...Column Published: 28/1/2021
Reviewing bushfire support for SA producers
Livestock SA is using the learnings from the 2019-20 bushfires to ensure future responses to natural disasters offer similar relief...Column Published: 29/11/2020
COVID-19 offers lessons for livestock sector
If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught Australians anything, it is that maintaining good hygiene practices and minimising the spread of...Column Published: 3/11/2020
Commercial harvesting helps manage roos
OVER-abundant kangaroo populations continue to cause damage to farming land, infrastructure and crops in South Australia. Kangaroos have long benefited...Column Published: 24/9/2020
August Biosecurity Column: Good biosecurity is everyone’s business
Good biosecurity is a producer’s strongest defense against the risks associated with the introduction of unwanted pests and diseases. Safeguarding...Column Published: 28/8/2020
Close collaboration with Minister is crucial
LIVESTOCK SA welcomed the appointment of David Basham as the new South Australian Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development...Column Published: 27/8/2020
Accessible ag training key to strong industry
PROVIDING accessible and high-quality agricultural education in South Australia is essential to ensure agricultural businesses continue to adapt and thrive...Column Published: 2/8/2020
Traps to curb feral deer
Populations of feral deer have increased dramatically in areas of South Australia over the past few years and this has...Column Published: 25/6/2020
Welcome autumn rain elevates footrot risk
Livestock producers have rightly welcomed a promising break to the season, but with it comes increased biosecurity risks. Footrot, a...Column Published: 28/5/2020
Fire-affected producers get back to business
The coronavirus pandemic impacting the world has made the recovery and rebuilding efforts in bushfire-affected areas of SA even more...Column Published: 30/4/2020
Policy reviews help graziers
A range of pastoral region policies and plans that impact producers are being revised in 2020 and Livestock SA encourages...Column Published: 30/3/2020
Fires create biosecurity risks
Bushfires can not only cause immediate threats during the event but also many threats post-fire, including biosecurity issues. Livestock producers...Column Published: 3/2/2020
Govt supports key initiatives
Last year was a busy and successful year for Livestock SA and its members despite the tough weather conditions faced...Column Published: 2/1/2020
Prepare livestock for the bushfire season
Fire danger season is well upon us with bushfires impacting the Yorke Peninsula and other areas throughout the state recently...Column Published: 28/11/2019
Producers urged to prepare for stock feed shortages
With some parts of the state dealing with their second –in some cases third – year of below average rainfall...Column Published: 31/10/2019
Livestock has many career opportunities
Highlighting the opportunities available in the livestock industry to jobseekers and young people deciding their future career paths remains critically...Column Published: 26/9/2019
Livestock SA calls for tougher trespass laws
Livestock SA has continued its call for further action on the introduction of stronger trespassing laws within the state. While...Column Published: 26/7/2019
Carbon neutral commitment by 2030 ‘achievable’ for SA producers
A commitment by the livestock industry to be carbon neutral by 2030 will bring benefits not only for consumers but...Column Published: 27/6/2019
Pastoral Act review opens opportunities for SA producers
The recently announced review of the Pastoral Act will provide Livestock SA and its members with an opportunity to provide...Column Published: 30/5/2019
Speak up to drive positive industry changes
Livestock producers play an important part in helping to shape the development and review of policies and the industry bodies...Column Published: 25/4/2019
Be well-prepared as season break nears
As “the break” nears, it’s important that producers begin setting themselves up to be in the best position possible for...Column Published: 28/3/2019
Water security remains lobby group’s focus
Rising water prices are an ongoing concern to livestock producers throughout the State, with rates in some regions rising by...Column Published: 1/3/2019
Feral pests in line of sight
The over-abundance of invasive species and the need for a strategic, united approach to the issue will be the major...Column Published: 31/1/2019
Kangaroo control remains key for SA producers
The management of kangaroo populations, the condition of the dog fence and drought were key issues raised at the Livestock...Column Published: 13/12/2018
Training available on maximising wool clip
The wool industry has long remained a key focus for many South Australian producers, with strong price highs continuing to...Column Published: 1/11/2018
Coordinated effort on feral animals needed
Pest animal control remains a significant issue for Livestock SA members, with results from our recent 2018 annual survey highlighting...Column Published: 27/9/2018
Make time to calculate feed requirements
This season has delivered a very different weather pattern to that which has been seen in recent years, bringing with...Column Published: 3/8/2018
Training shortages affect skills delivery in livestock sector
In the past decade, continual decreases in the level of funding within the training and skills sector has placed increased...Column Published: 28/6/2018
Biosecurity key focus of SA producers
Biosecurity remains a key focus for livestock production across Australia with recent changes to the Livestock Production Assurance and Johne’s...Column Published: 31/5/2018
Livestock SA continues to advocate for feral deer control across SA
Ongoing management of feral deer continues to be a concern for livestock producers across SA. The South East region in...Column Published: 15/3/2018
Govt gone missing in livestock industry R&D investment
The South Australian livestock sector contributes $4.5 billion in Gross State Revenue to the SA economy and employs a significant...Column Published: 22/2/2018
Consistent internet service underpins future pastoral productivity gains
Telemetry systems are increasingly being rolled out on many pastoral properties across the state, including at Billa Kalina, via Roxby...Column Published: 18/1/2018
SA livestock advocacy continues to grow
Livestock advocacy continues to strengthen in South Australia, with South Australian producers recently appointed to leading roles with both the...Column Published: 7/12/2017
Livestock SA reminds producers to ensure LPA changes roll out to producers
Biosecurity is front of mind for many producers this month, with changes to the Livestock Production Assurance Program occurring from...Column Published: 26/10/2017
Export insights as Livestock SA Board member tours OS markets
Export markets continue to play a vital part in ensuring a strong and profitable sheep and lamb sector in Australia...Column Published: 28/9/2017
Producers urged to attend statewide LPA workshops
The Australian Livestock Production Assurance program is an important part of the livestock industry’s on-farm assurance program covering food safety...Column Published: 28/8/2017
Benchmarking key for farm success at GROWING SA
Benchmarking has long proved to be an integral part of a successful approach to farm business management for many livestock...Column Published: 2/8/2017
Producers urged to feed for ‘dry times’
Rainfall has been scarce across much of South Australia to-date, with many regions awaiting more moisture. For some producers seeding...Column Published: 29/6/2017
SE industry show enthusiasm for Beef Cattle Blueprint
It was fantastic to have strong industry engagement as we kicked off the first SA Beef Cattle Industry Blueprint scoping...Column Published: 25/5/2017
On-farm theft concerns continue for SA livestock producers
Livestock and on-farm theft are an ongoing concern to South Australian producers, with more than 50 per cent of respondents...Column Published: 27/4/2017
GAB water infrastructure remains key issue for pastoralists
Ageing water infrastructure in northern pastoral regions continues to be a key issue for graziers and was highlighted at the...Column Published: 30/3/2017
WoolTAG provides young shearers, woolhandlers with future opportunities
Past WoolTAG recipient Tom Brewer, Naracoorte, starred at the recent world shearing championships at Invercargill, New Zealand, placing fifth in...Column Published: 23/2/2017
Changes required to manage goats in pastoral region
Livestock SA continues to push for an amendment to the Pastoral Land Management Act (1989) to allow producers to fence...Column Published: 26/1/2017
Blueprint launch caps off successful year for Livestock SA
IT has been a busy but successful year for Livestock SA and its members, with the organisation continuing to advocate...Column Published: 29/12/2016
Livestock SA calls on SA Government support for CattleMAP
LIVESTOCK SA is seeking the support of the South Australian Government regarding its concerns over changes to the National Bovine...Column Published: 24/11/2016
Livestock producers weather SA storms, flooding
SPRING storms caused widespread damage across the state earlier this month, with strong winds and flooding contributing to reported damage...Column Published: 27/10/2016
Producers called to have their say on new Livestock Brands App
LIVESTOCK producers were given the chance to explore a prototype of the Livestock Brands App at the Livestock SA Update...Column Published: 28/9/2016
Annual leave, loading, overtime – updates to the Pastoral Award
On July 29, 2016, a number of changes were made to the Pastoral Industry Award which means livestock producers employing...Column Published: 28/8/2016
Sheep industry blueprint fosters research collaborations
The SA Sheep Industry Blueprint is focused on increasing the value and production of the sheep industry by 20 percent...Column Published: 25/6/2016
National wool declarations give market confidence
Together with WoolProducers Australia, Livestock SA is encouraging growers to take time and fill out the AWEX National Wool Declaration...Column Published: 30/5/2016
Cattle producers called to comment on competitiveness
SOUTH Australian cattle producers have a rare opportunity to offer feedback on the competitiveness of the beef sector as part...Column Published: 2/5/2016
Know your rights and obligations when it comes to fencing
WHERE work is needed to erect, rebuild or repair boundary fences between neighbouring properties, communication and consensus between landowners is...Column Published: 24/3/2016
Transparency critical to faith in NRM system
The South Australian Government announced last year that regional NRM levies are to be used to recover costs for water...Column Published: 1/3/2016
Call for brands register to be integrated with PICs
THERE ARE so many good reasons why the Brands Act 1933 should not have been repealed by the State Government...Column Published: 1/2/2016
Animal welfare focus of ASAP Conference in Adelaide
Animal welfare means different things to different people. For some it encapsulates a value system which includes a raft of...Column Published: 1/1/2016
Livestock SA – year in review
THE YEAR 2014 has been one of ups and downs. Dry conditions continue to hamper livestock production across the state...Column Published: 29/12/2015
Year in review – Livestock SA gears up for big 2016
THINKING back over 2015, Livestock SA certainly lived up to its tagline … ‘your strong and independent voice for livestock...Column Published: 1/12/2015
Free, professional help for farmers on pest animal control
Pest animals are a major problem to many farmers across South Australia. Feral pigs, goats, rabbits, foxes and wild dogs...Column Published: 1/11/2015
No time to dither in reassessing loan criteria
When it comes to support programs for drought-affected farmers, bank lenders in the South East work on different principles to...Column Published: 1/10/2015
Know what’s required when it comes to industrial relations
Before the modern award system was introduced on January 1, 2010, there were state and federal awards. Farmers in South...Column Published: 1/9/2015
Cattle levy increase flagged to support crucial industry programs
I AM part of Schulz Livestock, a family‐owned and run livestock farming business in the Upper South East. We produce...Column Published: 27/8/2015
Sheep industry starts work on new blueprint
THE South Australian sheep industry has just started work on a plan to drive profitability, innovation and sustainability for the...Column Published: 6/8/2015
Infrastructure upgrades help stations manage drought, stock
HAMILTON Station is situated 110 kilometres north‐west of Oodnadatta and its annual rainfall is about 180 millimetres, with a large...Column Published: 2/6/2015
Farmers urged to review changes to working dog laws
TWO key reforms are being negotiated at present which will impact farmers who breed working dogs or those who use...Column Published: 28/5/2015
Livestock, finance and drought – can you plan ahead?
Livestock commodity prices have continued to provide some optimism for producers among variable seasonal conditions across the state. At the...Column Published: 24/4/2015
Strong representation for livestock producers
LIVESTOCK owners across the South East are eagerly awaiting the 2015 season to get cracking, as dry pasture reserves are...Column Published: 26/3/2015
Pastoral concern over losing independent organisation
FOR most pastoralists in South Australia, the main topic of conversation has been the rain event – or in some...Column Published: 26/2/2015
Livestock SA: a South East perspective
The New Year is often a time to reflect and check‐in on personal as well as professional goals and vision...Column Published: 22/1/2015
Farm fodder response a credit to SA ag industry
THE way farmers across the State have banded together in the past week to help those affected by the Adelaide...Column Published: 12/1/2015