Columns
Grazing and Green Energy: Navigating Risk in Shared Landscapes
Livestock producers understand the competition for land and resources is intensifying, particularly in support of a decarbonising world. Renewable energy generation is a key part to Australia’s clean energy transition...
Rules to enable sheep and farmed goat eID
As published in the Stock Journal As governments continue the transition to electronic identification (eID) for sheep and farmed goats, Livestock SA was recently consulted on the proposed changes to...
Seasonal conditions test current drought policy
[as published in the Stock Journal] Drought policy has a history of constant change. Mid last century, the focus was on attempting to ‘drought proof’ agriculture by expanding irrigation. In...
Collaboration urgently needed on NW VIC dingo decision
[as published in the Stock Journal] As the Victorian Government completes the policy and regulatory settings review for dingo conservation and management across the state, Livestock SA remains concerned about...
Heed industry experts not anti-industry activists
Last week we met with the MLA team preparing the 2025 Sheep Industry Projections Report. While a routine activity for industry, it was a good reminder about the ongoing industry...
Government crosses the live sheep exports red line
[As published in the Stock Journal] Interesting is the diplomatic way to describe the way the Australian Government chose to advise industry how and when it would end live sheep...
Animal Welfare Strategy set to be renewed
[as published in the Stock Journal] As part of its 2023-24 Budget, the Australian Government committed $5 million over 4 years to renew the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS). This...
Restructure aims to raise livestock body
[Stock Journal viewpoint by Joe Keynes] A recent viewpoint about Livestock SA’s future direction warrants a response as it’s important to clarify how the organisation has evolved and why we’re...
Victorian wild dog control decision exposes SA producers
[as published in the Stock Journal] The sudden decision by the Victorian Government to stop wild dog controls in the northwest of Victoria, which became effective from 14 March 2024...
Carbon myopia now looking to dictate Australian diets
[as published in the Stock Journal] The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), the statutory agency within the Department of Health and Aged Care that is responsible for developing...
GAB proposal needs sensible decision made
[as published in the Stock Journal] The Great Artesian Basin (GAB) is one of the largest underground freshwater resources in the world. It generates approximately $13 billion in value to...
Global agrifood roadmap recognises critical role of livestock production
The latest United Nations Climate Change conference – COP28 in Dubai – wound up today (12 December). Depending on what media you follow, the annual Conference of the Parties is...
Fast-tracked legislation must also deliver for producers
[as published in the Stock Journal] There was a higher-than-normal degree of excitement and self-congratulations last week when the Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Bill passed the parliament. Through the Hydrogen...
Livestock production soon to be climate neutral
[as published in the Stock Journal] The Australian red meat and livestock industry continues to lead other industries in becoming more sustainable and being part of the climate solution. It...
Responsive and responsible government needed on live sheep
[as published in the Stock Journal] Readers of this column would recall the March piece I wrote about the commencement of the Federal Government consultation process for phasing out live...
Options for better supply-demand processing and pricing balance
Livestock producers understand the cyclical nature of livestock prices. However, the price declines we have seen in the past 12 months have been faster and deeper than many were expecting...
Competition for land use
The world population clock currently ticks over at more than two new humans every second. In other words, the world population is growing by over 200,000 people a day. It...
Hydrogen Act requires cool approach
South Australia is at the global forefront of clean energy generation. In just over 16 years the state’s electricity mix has shifted from below 1 per cent renewables to more...
Stock theft hurt widespread
Stock and general farm theft across Australia is a serious and growing problem. The days of the ‘jolly swagman’ are long gone and large-scale and sophisticated thefts are now occurring...
Livestock industry part of the climate change solution
Last week the State Government convened its inaugural Climate Change Conference at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Livestock SA joined PIRSA and the grains and dairy industries to host a primary...
Live export decision sets dangerous precedent
Livestock producers are the ultimate optimists. But that optimism has been knocked recently with the Federal Government commencing work on phasing out live sheep exports from Australia by sea. A...
Flood response, a reminder to stay vigilant about bushfire threats
Driving across the state this past month to meet with Livestock SA members has provided a compelling perspective of the contrast between the extended wet weather last year; from the...
Biosecurity push needs a national focus
For over a decade all governments have agreed to a strategic direction for our biosecurity system to protect Australia’s way of life. All governments have also been aware that Australia’s...
Govt spend needed to rev up sheep eID
With the successful return of the Adelaide 500 last week, it is useful to reflect on the ‘race’ the state’s livestock industries are in. Being recognised as the best in...
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 from ruminant livestock is nearly 10% of total greenhouse emissions...
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 that will limit the state’s ability to respond and contain...
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 cost effectively as possible while maintaining the highest standards of...
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 producers who cited council rates as a notable impact on...
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 time to focus on meeting all compliance requirements for your...
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 facilitated by the Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis...
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 notify your neighbour of the potential risks to their business...
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 hot topic across the sheep industry. Conversations about EID have...
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 thanks to the Flows for the Future initiative implemented by...
Motorcycle permit change concerning
LIVESTOCK SA is calling on the State Government to consider special provisions for young people working in farming operations to be included in legislation which raises the minimum age for...
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 be taken into consideration to protect stock and staff. There...
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 for those affected and continue to be well coordinated and...
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 disease are essential in our everyday lives. Maintaining a safe...
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 from livestock production because of the removal of natural predators...
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 the industry against pest and disease incursion has previously been...
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 last month. While Livestock SA acknowledges the progress which has...
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 in an everchanging industry. Livestock SA welcomes the Federal Government’s...
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 had a profound impact on agriculture, the environment and community...
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 contagious and notifiable bacterial disease in sheep, requires warm and...
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 challenging. But, support and resources for those recovering are still...
Policy reviews help graziers
A range of pastoral region policies and plans that impact producers are being revised in 2020 and Livestock SA encourages South Australian producers to get involved and provide their feedback...
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 need to be prepared to reduce these associated biosecurity issues...
Govt supports key initiatives
Last year was a busy and successful year for Livestock SA and its members despite the tough weather conditions faced by many South Australian producers. Livestock prices were in producers’...
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. Livestock SA extends its sympathies to farmers impacted by the...
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, it is likely there will be limited fodder available as...
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 important to ensuring the future of the sector. In 2016-2017...
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 there has been some movement at a federal level, with...
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 also for producers. Australian agriculture has set a goal in...
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 feedback and influence the future operations of the Act. The...
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 which influence the livestock industry. While Livestock SA recognises the...
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 the growing season. With the latest forecast from the Bureau...
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 more than 250 per cent in the past decade. Water...
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 topic of discussion for Livestock SA and its members at...
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 SA Northern Region meeting, held in conjunction with the Pastoral...
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 deliver good returns to those who have remained in the...
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 it was a “major issue” for 35 per cent of...
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 it a range of challenges for our industry and for...
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 pressure on skills in the South Australian livestock industry. Across...
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 Beef Assurance Score programs. It’s important for all livestock producers...
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 particular has a large population of feral deer which pose...
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 number of people both on-farm and in meat and wool...
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 Downs, ensuring more efficient labour use and, more importantly, peace...
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 newly formed Sheep Producers Australia (SPA) and WoolProducers Australia (WPA)...
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 October 1. Changes require producers who register with LPA to...
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. In 2016 Australia exported 56 per cent of our total...
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, animal welfare and biosecurity. From October 1, producers will need...
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 producers. It is a process whereby a farm business’ key...
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 is complete, while others have yet to start. Across the...
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 workshop at Naracoorte on Tuesday, with participants showing enthusiasm to...
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 in a recent Livestock SA survey experiencing problems with on-farm...
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 Livestock SA Northern Region meeting at Mungerannie last month. Livestock...
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 the final of the intermediate section. Tom completed his tafeSA...
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 off an area for the capture and containment of feral...
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 for the South Australian livestock industry. Among our greatest achievements...
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 Johne’s Disease Program, particularly the disbandment of the Australian Johne’s...
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 from SA livestock producers. A recent survey undertaken by Livestock...
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 & AGM and first-ever SA Cattle Producers Forum at Hahndorf...
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 staff are likely to be impacted. Annual leave Annual leave...
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 in the next five years. Several projects are underway to...
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. This is an initiative of the industry to consolidate critical...
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 of a market study by the Australian Competition and Consumer...
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 ideal. Any agreement on fencing should ideally be documented and...
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 planning and management (WPM) activities undertaken by the Department of...
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. Firstly, stock identification. We cannot visually identify the origin of...
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 other ‘values’ which often bundle together phrases such as organic...
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 and from the South East to the Far North, many...
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 producers’. There has been a raft of issues that we...
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 are some common species that have made the most of...
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 the comparatively risky farming environments in Queensland and northern New...
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 Australia were bound by either the Pastoral Industry (South Australia)...
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 first‐cross ewe lambs, prime lambs and have a stud beef...
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 whole industry value chain. The SA Sheep Industry Blueprint is...
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 percentage of this coming in summer. Watering points on the...
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 them in their livestock business. The first is a proposed...
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 same time, there has also been a fall in in...
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 increasingly scarce and feeding‐out is keeping everyone busy. We are...
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 cases the lack of it – in the second week...
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. The start of 2015 has reminded me of the pride...
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 Hills’ fires has been nothing short of amazing. In coordinating...