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'Stock & Land' Group visit Toland Merino Stud on May 1

28/5/2018

1 Comment

 
With the Middle East live sheep export scandal still making news, it was heartening for our group to visit a sheep enterprise where the livestock live long valued lives
.
Nine of our number visited the Toland poll Merino stud north west of Violet Town on May 1 and discovered that the Tolands keep some of their ewes producing lambs to an age of nine of 10, at a time when many sheep men cull their breeders when they are just five or six.

The Toland family, who run the enterprise, thanks to individual 15 digit electronic ear tags on every sheep, know how each sheep is bred and can tweak breeding and feeding strategies to maximise wool production and quality. The aim is to produce 18 micron wool.

Pregnant ewes were due to be scanned about two weeks after our visit with an important objective being able to draft ewes carrying twins into a separate mob so they could be fed more than those carrying singles. Between 40 and 50 per cent of mature ewes produce twins. That is about 750 ewes from the flock of about 1700.

But Phil Toland told the group, that with nutrition somewhat restricted by the lack so far of a real autumn break, he expected lambs to number about 2000 this year.  

Generally sales of wool, rams and surplus sheep, each produce income of about $200,000 a year. About 200 rams average $1000 each while the average price of wool from each sheep is between $70 and $80. Surplus ewes sell for about $100 each.

The main part of the farm covers 1300 acres of largely flat heavy carrying country while there is 700 acres of hillier and lighter ironstone country, several kilometres to the north west where the Tolands run all of their young sheep.

Our June speaker will be member Sue Campbell, who with husband Sandy, for 34 years focussed on turning what was known as 'the rabbit farm' near Byawatha carrying half a sheep to the acre, into a much more viable one carrying about six sheep to the acre. They won the battle in 2003 when the 700 acre property, Cooloongatta, was declared rabbit free. Sue will talk about the battle and related issues on Tuesday June 5 at 10am.
​
David Palmer
1 Comment

    About 'Stock and Land'

    Are you a regular watcher of ‘Country Wide’ or reader of ‘Stock and Land’ or ‘The Weekly Times’?  Did you grow up on, run, still run, or downshift into Benalla from a farm?  Perhaps you studied/taught food and agriculture related courses or worked in an area related to agriculture?  Or perhaps, like most of us, you are interested in where food comes from.
    This group aims to provide a regular forum for members with interest and experience in agriculture to discuss agricultural issues and current developments in farming.  Monthly two-hour sessions will  feature well informed speakers from particular areas of farming who will share their story, their understanding of current issues and developments in their field.  This is followed by questions and discussions.   When time permits, the group also discusses current farming news and shares farming stories.  

    Meeting Times

    1st Tuesday of the month from 10 am to 12 midday.

    Convenor Contact Details

    Picture
    David Palmer 5762 4468

    Topics/Speakers

    All
    Alison Earp
    Animal Welfare & Ethics
    Automated Dairying
    Baddaginnie Run Winery
    Beersheba Stud
    Benalla Sale Yards
    Carole Marple
    Clover Seed Production
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    Damian Finnegan
    David Palmer
    Devenish Silos
    Dookie Dairy
    Dr Dennis O'Brien
    Drysdale Sheep
    Farming Innovation
    Former Shadow Minister Of Agriculture
    From Paddock To Plate
    Hook And Spoon
    Hop Production In Myrhee
    Hops Production In Myrhee
    Kevin Mitchell
    Lach Lidgerwood
    Libby Price
    Margaret Nelson
    'Out Of The Blue'
    Phillip Toland
    Rabbits
    Ray O'Shannessy
    'Right Here
    Right Now'
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    Sandy Leatham
    Snow Barlow
    Sue Campbell OAM
    Tallis Winery
    Toland Merino Stud
    Wendy Beer
    Wine Production

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