Lamb Focus 2026

2026 EDITION

LAMB FOCUS

Funding lamb opportunities AUSTRALIAN sheep and lamb producers are set to benefit from a new $250,000 export development push aimed at unlocking premium retail opportunities in India’s fast-growing consumer market.

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has secured the funding through the Australian Government’s Centre for Australia-India Relations (CAIR) Maitri Grants Program.

The funding will drive a new three-year campaign, the India–Australia Red Meat Innovation & Excellence Program, targeting high-value modern retail and foodservice sectors in major Indian cities.

With India’s middle class expanding rapidly alongside rising disposable incomes, agricultural trade experts view the market as a significant, high-potential frontier for premium Australian lamb and mutton.

This strategic investment comes at a time when Australian sheepmeat exports to India are already building strong momentum, with 128.53 tonnes of Australian sheepmeat exported to the market so far in 2026.

MLA General Manager of International Markets, Andrew Cox, emphasized that the grant provides a vital platform to establish a sustainable, long-term foothold in the region.

He noted that India represents a long-term growth opportunity for Australian lamb and mutton, and this funding provides an important platform to strengthen industry capability, foster deeper commercial relationships, and support sustainable market development.

To capture this massive potential, the program will deliver direct technical support, establish best-practice centers of excellence for meat retailing, and train local industry professionals.

A key pillar of the initiative is hands-on education across the supply chain, which will be facilitated through MLA’s Aussie Meat Academy.

By partnering with leading retailers, wholesalers, and foodservice operators in major hubs—including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kochi—the program aims to showcase worldleading Australian red meat expertise and support retail category growth [2].

This education-first strategy is designed to ensure premium cuts are handled and presented to world-class standards.

South Asia Austrade Trade & Investment Commissioner, Todd Miller, welcomed the push, noting that the Aussie Meat Academy’s training on premium Australian sheepmeat, retail dis-

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has secured a grant to accelerate the development of India’s sheepmeat market and create new commercial opportunities for Australian sheepmeat producers. play, and presentation for butchers, store managers, and floor staff will strengthen Australia’s footprint and deliver the best cuts of premium lamb to Indian customers.

Ultimately, the program seeks to create a lasting network of industry ambassadors to champion Australian red meat knowledge and skills throughout India’s rapidly evolving retail sec-

tor. CAIR Chief Executive Officer Ryan Neelam highlighted that such initiatives do more than just strengthen diplomatic ties; they build the foundation for partnerships that create real, lasting economic and people-to-people benefits for both nations.

By sharing knowledge and exchanging ideas on red meat retailing, merchandising, and con-

sumer engagement, Australian and Indian experts are turning trade relations into a collaborative, mutually beneficial partnership [4]. For sheep producers back home, this targeted campaign turns diplomatic goodwill into reliable, premium demand, ensuring that high-quality Australian sheepmeat continues to find a valued place on international shelves.

Future-proofing our flocks in drought A major national collaborative research project has been launched to future-proof sheep flocks in low-rainfall zones, focusing on breeding tougher animals and establishing more resilient feedbases to withstand severe drought Dubbed the ‘Climate Resilient Sheep Systems’ project, the initiative is being co-led by Adelaide University and Murdoch University, working alongside researchers, farmers, and industry partners across Australia Funded through the federal government’s Long-Term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Grants, the project is scheduled to run until October 2030, with trials established across South Australia, Western Australia, and New South Wales It is set to deliver practical, on-farm solutions to combat the mounting challenges of extreme heat and declining pasture consistency.

A cornerstone of the research will be the search for climate-resilient sheep genetics Researchers are collaborating with ram breeders nationwide to identify key genetic traits linked directly to heat tolerance and drought adaptation By tracking how sheep perform in harsh conditions, scientists aim to identify and breed animals that maintain high performance, stable behaviour, and strong reproductive outcomes even when the mercury rises Adelaide University project lead Associate Professor William van Wettere said sheep enterprises in low-rainfall regions are hitting in2 The Border Watch Lamb Focus 2026

Improving the resilience and productivity of sheep in low rainfall farming systems is the focus of a new national collaborative research project. (Supplied) creasingly tough barriers “Sheep enterprises in many low rainfall regions are being increasingly challenged by drought and extreme heat,” Associate Professor van Wettere said “These conditions impact pasture and shrub growth, soil stability and overall feed consistency, which can then impact sheep per-

formance, so we are exploring integrated, longterm solutions.”

The project aims to pair adapted sheep with stronger grazing landscapes Trials will explore drought-tolerant pastures, shrubs, and trees to improve shade, create better microclimates for the animals, and secure feed consistency.

Scientists will measure soil health, vegetation performance, animal behaviour, and reproductive success to understand how the entire system performs from the ground up Murdoch University project lead Professor Andrew Thompson emphasised that success relies on looking at the bigger picture “This project is about understanding the whole system, from soils and plants through to animal performance and genetics,” Professor Thompson said In a win for practical science, the research is not restricted to university labs with a key feature of the project being the farmer-led approach, with at least 26 regional trial sites to be established directly on working commercial properties.

These sites will be tailored to local conditions, featuring 10 trial sites in Western Australia, eight trial sites in South Australia and eight trial sites in New South Wales.

“Working closely with farmers and farming systems groups ensures the solutions we develop are practical, relevant and suited to local environments and regional conditions,” Associate Professor van Wettere said.

By putting the trials in the hands of local producers, the project aims to deliver strategies that sheep and lamb producers can readily adopt on their own properties to safeguard their productivity and protect land health for the decades ahead.

LAMB FOCUS

The Merino as the cash cow THE steady evolution of the Merino over the past 20 years has rendered traditional Merino genetics largely obsolete.

The industry was once constrained by heavywrinkled, high-maintenance sheep that often required a terminal cross to generate competitive growth and lambing rates.

Modern seedstock developments have reshaped that paradigm—proving that strong frame growth, high reproduction, and heavy fleece cuts can be successfully built into the same animal.

This dual performance reinforces the Merino’s rightful place as the versatile, highly profitable foundation of the Australian flock.

At Gringegalgona, our aim is simply to contribute to this progress by breeding versatile, commercially focused sheep.

We continuously test our performance through industry benchmark evaluations and real-world trials, including the LambEx Carcase Competition.

We are proud to see our genetics performing strongly for growth alongside eating quality in the top 25% of industry—supported by a flock averaging 130% weaning and home to top-ranking wool production lines. For commercial producers, incorporating these balanced traits is about building a reliable genetic base that supports farm profitability, infrastructure investment, and long-term business resilience.

Finally, the shift away from mulesing remains a vital step forward for our industry.

Moving toward naturally plain-bodied, nonmulesed sheep strengthens welfare credentials across both meat and wool, helping safeguard access to premium global markets. High production, ease of management, and animal welfare can—and should—go hand in hand.

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Grants on offer for biosecurity projects Livestock SA seeking applications for innovative and practical initiatives that will uplift biosecurity across South Australia’s livestock industry through the Biosecurity Uplift Grants.

The grants are designed to support South Australian organisations and individuals committed to enhancing on-farm livestock biosecurity practices, animal health and welfare through education, awareness, demonstration, collaboration and adoption of best-practice biosecurity measures.

These must demonstrate broad livestock industry benefits aligning with the SA Red Meat and Wool Blueprint 2030.

Funding applications will be considered for new and existing events.

The fund is open to both organisations and individuals who can demonstrate a commit-

ment to delivering initiatives that positively impact on-farm biosecurity measures, increase on-farm biosecurity planning and encourage producers to take a more active role in biosecurity, enhance preparedness and response to biosecurity threats, both endemic and exotic, promote best practice biosecurity management across the industry and deliver locally tailored approaches to address biosecurity challenges.

Eligible projects include producer workshops, field days and educational events, demonstration activities showcasing biosecurity infrastructure, systems or practices, development of resources that support producer biosecurity planning, record keeping or training and collaborative projects that increase biosecurity awareness and adoption across multiple businesses or communities.

Interested parties are invited to apply detailing their proposed project, including objectives, potential impact, and how the initiative aligns with the goals of the SA Livestock Biosecurity Uplift Grant and SA Red Meat and Wool Blueprint 2030.

Applications will be assessed based on their ability to deliver measurable biosecurity improvements and benefit to the South Australian livestock industry.

A panel will review all submissions against the eligibility criteria and notify successful applicants of their acceptance within 1-2 weeks of receiving the application.

If accepted, successful applicants will receive all required promotional materials, including the monitoring and evaluation documentation.

Livestock SA seeking applications for innovative and practical initiatives that will uplift biosecurity across South Australia’s livestock industry through the Biosecurity Uplift Grants.

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LAMB FOCUS

eID deadline approaching FROM the dust of the regional saleyards to the rhythm of the state’s shearing sheds, the momentum toward electronic identification (eID) for the South Australian red meat sector is reaching a critical pace.

With the 1 January 2027 national deadline looming as the primary driver for industry activity, producers are increasingly shifting their focus from traditional visual ear tags toward the precision of digital tracking.

This transition represents a significant evolution in how the state manages its livestock, moving toward a technology-driven system that aligns with national biosecurity and traceability standards while providing a platform for individual animal performance tracking.

The foundations for this transition have been built upon substantial financial investment designed to ease the shift for the farming community.

The first stage of the eID Implementation Program, running from 2023 to 2025, saw $17.5 million in funding provided by the state and Commonwealth Governments to deliver essential support, including tag rebates and equipment funding for saleyards, processing facilities, and even agricultural shows and schools.

Building on this momentum, Stage 2 of the program commenced on 1 July 2025 as a component of the Drought Support Package.

This subsequent phase has injected a further $4.5 million into the initiative, ensuring that the financial burden of adoption remains shared between the government and industry stakeholders as the implementation deadline approaches.

One of the most practical forms of financial relief currently available to primary producers is the Point of Sale Tag Discount.

Under this scheme, producers can access a discount of up to 47.5 cents per tag, a benefit that will remain available through to 30 June 2027 to ensure the transition is as affordable as possible.

The scale of industry uptake has been remarkable, with more than 12 million tags purchased under this discount since 1 January 2024.

This equates to approximately $9.372 million in direct assistance delivered to South Australian producers, demonstrating a high level of engagement with the rollout and a clear desire to organise on-farm systems well ahead of the final 2027 cutoff.

To ensure this investment translates into long-term success, the eID Advantage Program has been established as a partnership between the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), Livestock SA, and Meat & Livestock Australia.

The core mission of this program is to build

Get more information about eIDs with the governments new online resources. (File) the knowledge, confidence, and technical skills of producers so they can maximise the benefits of eID technology on-farm.

A new suite of practical resources has been released to support this goal, featuring professional videos and exactly 10 producer case studies that demonstrate how eID can strengthen traceability, safeguard market access, and unlock significant productivity gains through more accurate data management.

Industry engagement and peer-to-peer learning have also been central to the rollout strategy, ensuring that knowledge permeates every level of the rural community.

To date, the program has delivered more than 60 workshops, webinars, field days, and regional events, extending its reach to include agents, ag-

ricultural shows, and schools.

These efforts have been bolstered by “The Future’s Ear” advertising campaign, which promotes awareness and helps producers realise the benefits of compliance.

The impact of these efforts is amplified by eight eID Producer Groups involving 105 producers who are actively sharing their experiences with the technology.

Furthermore, the training of 158 eID Champions and the delivery of specific “Train-the-Trainer” activities across the supply chain ensure that expert knowledge is available from the farm gate to the processor, helping the industry navigate the requirements and obligations of the National Livestock Identification System.

As the South Australian sheep and goat sectors move closer to the 2027 deadline, the conversation is shifting from mere compliance to the strategic advantages of individual animal identification.

Beyond fulfilling regulatory requirements, the technology offers a pathway toward enhanced supply chain assurance and improved on-farm efficiency.

Producers looking to stay ahead of the curve are encouraged to visit the PIRSA website to access the latest traceability videos, the 10 producer case studies, and the full range of support resources.

This proactive approach ensures the industry remains resilient and competitive as it completes the journey toward full eID implementation

Plea for support of trade agreement SOUTH Australia’s red meat sector, including local sheep and lamb producers, is being urged to look toward lucrative new horizons as the South Australian government ramps up pressure on federal politicians to back the proposed Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

The state’s meat export industry, encompassing beef, lamb, and pork, has surged to become the fourth largest goods export sector in South Australia, now delivering a massive $1.9 billion to the state economy.

State leadership argued that securing the FTA is critical to maintaining this stellar growth momentum, which saw South Australia’s overall export growth rise by 11.4 per cent, far outstripping the national average of 4.1 per cent.

For livestock producers in key regional farming heartlands such as the electorates of Grey and Barker, the stakes of the deal are high.

Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell said under the terms of the proposed trade agreement, the majority of South Australian agricultural exports, including red meat, would enter the European Union entirely duty-free, which he claimed would open direct, tariff-free access to 27 new countries and an affluent consumer base of 450 million people.

“There is no second chance if we choose to walk away from this deal. Now is the time for a unified Australia-first approach to free trade, 4 The Border Watch Lamb Focus 2026

not for dragging us back down the path of protectionism and isolation,’ he said.

“In uncertain times, Australia’s answer should not be to retreat. It should be to boost our competitiveness, growth and resilience.

“More trade, with more trading partners, means more money in the pockets of our world-class farmers, producers and businesses, and more well-paying South Australian jobs.”

Minister for State Development Chris Picton urged Member for Barker Tony Pasin to support the deal.

“This is a trade deal that puts South Australian farmers and producers in a stronger position to grow their businesses and create more jobs,” he said.

“For the people of Grey and Barker, this is about putting local industries first and making sure our producers have every opportunity to sell their world-class products into one of the biggest and wealthiest markets on the planet.

“I strongly urge Tom Venning and Tony Pasin to stand up to their far-right powerbrokers and support their local jobs.

“South Australian beef is one of the most highly sought after meats in the world with a reputation for incredible quality and taste.

“This deal can see more SA beef on the plates in Europe, creating more jobs here at home.”

Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell said under the terms of the proposed trade agreement, the majority of South Australian agricultural exports, including red meat, would enter the European Union entirely duty-free, which he claimed would open direct, tariff-free access to 27 new countries and an affluent consumer base of 450 million people.

LAMB FOCUS

Sheep producers resilient WHILE the nation’s beef industry celebrated a record financial year for FY2025-26, Australian sheep and lamb producers are navigating a markedly different phase of the production cycle.

Despite a significant year-on-year contraction in slaughter numbers, the sheepmeat industry has shown remarkable resilience, with recordbreaking carcase weights helping to cushion the fall in overall lamb production.

Although lamb slaughter continued to contract throughout FY2025-26, production declined at a much slower rate as heavier animals drove record carcase weights.

Over the course of the financial year, lamb slaughter fell 15.3 per cent year-on-year to 22.075 million head, resulting in an 11.2 per cent decline in lamb production to 554,658 tonnes.

However, the sheer size of the stock processed ensured that FY2025-26 still secured its place as the fourth-largest lamb production year on record.

The trend towards heavier stock was especially evident in the June quarter.

While lamb slaughter fell 21.6 per cent yearon-year to 5.286 million head, and production declined 15.7 per cent to 140,995 tonnes, the national lamb carcase weight reached a record average of 26.7kg per head Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) Senior Market Information Analyst, Emiliano Diaz, highlighted this shift.

“The lamb sector is producing fewer animals than a year ago, but record carcase weights have helped offset some of the decline in slaughter number,” Mr Diaz said.

In contrast to the steadying effect of heavy lambs, the mutton market saw a far more dramatic contraction.

Sheep supply tightened significantly throughout FY2025-26, pushing annual mutton production and sheep slaughter to their lowest levels

Despite a significant year-on-year contraction in slaughter numbers, the sheepmeat industry has shown remarkable resilience, with record-breaking carcase weights helping to cushion the fall in overall lamb production. since FY2022.

Over the full financial year, annual sheep slaughter plummeted by 31.5 per cent to 8.045 million head, which in turn drove a 28.8 per cent decline in mutton production to 209,865 tonnes.

The decline reached its steepest point in the June quarter, which recorded the lowest sheep slaughter and mutton production levels seen since June 2021.

During this quarter, sheep slaughter fell by 46.9 per cent year-on-year to 1.334 million head, while mutton production dropped 43.1 per cent to 34,205 tonnes.

The contrast between the booming cattle sector and the contracting sheep market underscores the cyclical nature of Australian agriculture.

While recent favourable seasons expanded

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According to Mr Diaz, this shift is a natural progression.

“The sheep industry is moving through a markedly different phase of the production cycle, with lower turn-off reflecting tighter sheep availability following the elevated processing levels of recent years,” he said.

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The Border Watch Lamb Focus 2026 5

LAMB FOCUS

The new SRS selection index is another tool to help breeders achieve their goal of a highly profitable, ethical and resilient breeding flock. (Supplied)

A new index for growers A new selection index debuted by SRS Genetics is equipping stud and commercial sheep producers with a tool to deliver their production, resilience and carcase trait goals.

By using years of objective measurements to identify rams and ewes that deliver results, the index breaks the complexity of Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) into clear production outcomes.

The SRS (Soft Rolling Skins™) selection index is focused on real industry outcomes so breeders can match the right ram or ewe to their goal.

It was developed by SRS Genetics in collaboration with New Zealand sheep geneticist, Dr Mark Ferguson, neXtgen Agri, with the aim to highlight the animals carrying a balance of production, quality and resilience traits representing the SRS breeding objective.

SRS Genetics chairman Norm Smith said the customised breeding value gave economic weightings to a combined 22 traits.

“There are Merino industry indexes available, but this is more specific around what SRS breeders are wanting to achieve in increased production, resilience and carcase quality,” Mr Smith said.

“We consulted widely with SRS stud breeders before introducing the index and it will be available for the studs to use this selling season.

“This is SRS Genetics’ first customised index – visual indicators for density and length remain important but this is another selection tool for stud breeders and our commercial clients to simplify ram selection.”

Mr Smith said with producers having different goals, environments and markets, the index 6 The Border Watch Lamb Focus 2026

gave them one clear focus of commercial profitability.

“SRS breeders strongly advocate the visual selection for density and length based on the late Dr Jim Watts’ breeding philosophy and a physical assessment of structure and shape.

“The SRS Index is another tool to help breeders achieve their goal of a highly profitable, ethical and resilient breeding flock.”

NSW SRS breeder Tom Hooke, East Loddon Merinos, Wanganella, said a key point of difference for the SRS Merino was a superior wool quality on a wrinkle free skin, minimising the instances of fleece rot and flystrike.

This is represented with the inclusion of traits such as CV (coefficient of variation), staple strength, colour, curvature, strength, length and micron.

“Doing ability is likely the best term to describe a ewe’s ability to remain reproductively fit when challenged and produce fast growing and earlier finishing lambs,” Mr Hooke said.

“This is represented with the inclusion of growth, fat and muscle, as well as WEC (worm egg count) and weaning rate in the index.”

IMF (Intramuscular Fat) for eating quality, has also been included to ensure producers are selecting for animals that will again drive production, whilst maintaining a quality product into the future.

“True performance is when an animal can offer real production even when under varying environmental challenges. The SRS index captures many important traits in a balanced way for easier selection,” Mr Hooke said.

For decades, SRS Genetics has been built on scientific evidence, practical observations and continuous improvement. By combining research with on-farm results, producers can use the index to make informed breeding decisions for the future.

Dr Mark Ferguson said traits SRS breeders wanted to stabilise or improve, including muscle, fat, reproduction, fleece weight, micron, dags and worm egg count, were weighted within the index.

“This index is designed to build on the inherent strengths of the SRS sheep but also picks up on any traits needing improvement,” Dr Ferguson said.

“For commercial producers the index will deliver the profitable outcome they are after based on the combination of traits SRS breeders agree will make money.”

Dr Ferguson said the index was available in time for ram breeders to make their selection decisions on ewes and sale rams, or inclusion in their sale catalogues.

“Obviously individual breeders have slight selection nuances around their sheep but as a group the index is taking them that next step further,” he said.

“For a producer buying a single ram or semen, they may want to look into every trait, but if they are buying a team of rams, selecting on the average index would be a good drafting gate.

That applies equally to ewe selection.”

The positive economic weightings are for yearling and adult clean fleece weight, yearling staple length, post weaning weight, fat, eye muscle and fat depth. The positive reproductive

traits are condition score, ewe rearing ability, weaning rate and litter size.

The negative weightings are for yearling coefficient of variation of fibre diameter, yearling fibre and adult fibre diameter, yearling curvature, adult weight, breech coverage and wrinkle, fleece rot, dags and worm egg count.

South Australian breeder Stephen Kellock, Kelvale Poll Merinos, Keith, transitioned to an SRS system to lower micron, improve handle and move to a softer, better type of wool.

Kelvale is among the country’s top flocks for staple length and selection has focused on positive fat, muscle and survivability.

Mr Kellock felt other industry indexes were too general for his breeding objectives, and he would use the SRS selection index to aid in ram and ewe selection, and increase genetic gain within his flock.

“As a breeder, I’m finding this index is more correlated with our focus of improving fertility, welfare and production parameters,” he said.

“Fertility, including the number of lambs on the ground, is a big driver within the SRS sheep.

As a group we are always looking to improve the wool traits and, in the long run, the index will verify that we are going in the right direction.”

Mr Kellock said commercial producers could benefit from the index’s weightings on fertility including number of lambs weaned and ewe rearing ability.

“The SRS as a collective is providing breeders with the tools to push ahead for the good of the whole sheep industry.”

LAMB FOCUS

Shedding Prolific Whites PROLIFIC White ewes scanned 210% and marked 172% at Struan this year.

Prolific White sheep are a clean shedding breed based on the Cashmore Park Nudie sheep.

They are 90% Nudie but have had the Booroola gene from Multimeat sheep introduced into them.

The exciting thing about this is that because Prolific White rams carry two copies of the Booroola gene, the progeny of these rams will carry one copy of the gene and all their daughters will scan at a 60% higher rate.

This means that if you have Dorper or Aussie White ewes and you cross them to a Prolific White ram the daughters will increase their scanning rate by 60%.

This effect of the gene has been confirmed in numerous trials around the world.

Caption Prolific White ewes-210% scanning -172% marking In a nationwide trial of scanning results identified that shedding breeds scan 20% lower rates than normal crossbreds or composites.

Without using Prolific Whites to produce extra lambs they cannot be competitive with crossbreds particularly now that crossbred wool is bringing higher prices.

The other observation about the multiple lambing Prolific White ewes is their exceptional lambing ease and lamb survival.

The Prolific White genotype enables a quantum leap in efficiency to be made because they can scan over 200% at a mating weight of less than 60 kgs.

In poorer seasons they will still scan high rates without the need of costly supplementation.

This is why many lamb production systems around the world make use of prolific genes.

Competitors falsely claim that the Booroola gene causes the ewes to have litters.

When these ewes are managed correctly they

Prolific White sheep are a clean shedding breed based on the Cashmore Park Nudie sheep.

Multimeat rams 26 micron wool - 215% scaling.

will conceive up to 25% triplets and less than 1% quads.

Triplet scanned ewes mark between 180200% and twins around 160%.

From these results we know that Prolific White cross ewes will often mark in excess of 170% and because of their lambing ease ewe losses are less than 1%.

Multimeat Sheep Multimeat rams have an average micron of 26.

When crossed with merinos the crossbred wool is between 22-24 microns.

At current wool prices the difference in fleece value between a normal crossbred and Multimeat merino is huge.

Under the current conditions any method of increasing lambing percentages is likely to be profitable.

Multimeat crosses have the advantage that they do not need drugs or increased mating weight to scan at 200%.

Lease agreements Rams are leased at $600 per year Rams remain on the lessors property, they are not reused.

Any breakdowns are replaced.

Rams are replaced with new ones after three years.

Some rams are available for purchase.

For instance Tim Partridge from Cowra recently received 920 cents per kilogram for his 23.6 micron crossbred wool.

The main advantage of using Multimeat rams is their increase in scanning rates.

I have conducted numerous trials across all south eastern states and the average increase in marking percentage has been 30%.

The impact on profitability has been an improvement of 25%.

Increasing lambing percentage can be done by using drugs or increasing mating weights.

This does not always increase profitability because the increase in costs may be greater than the increase in returns.

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The Border Watch Lamb Focus 2026 7

LAMB FOCUS

Bred for changing industry LOW FOOTPRINT LAMB ‘NUDIES’ IN just over a decade, Low Footprint Lamb ‘Nudies’ has seen significant change – both on-farm and across the sheep industry.

“We purchased our property, ‘Karingal’ at Croxton East, 11 years ago and our farm and sheep have made real progress in that time,” Low Footprint Lamb owner Matt Kelly said.

One of the biggest changes has been the market’s move towards heavier carcasses.

“Ten years ago, there were industry discounts if we exceeded 24kg carcass. Now we are paid a premium up to 34kg.”

“This is a 40% increase in carcass weight – the biggest change in the history of our industry, all within 10 years.”

For a ram producer, Matt said that has meant making a relatively large genetic shift in a short period.

“In 2016 our sire team average post weaning weight (PWT) was 6.6, in 2021 it was 8.5 and in 2026 it is 13.9, with one sire at 18.4 in the top 5%.

“We have focused on growth, as it is clearly what the market wants.”

Fertility has also always been a focus.

“We have successfully introduced high fertility genes from the best maternal composites and have two rams in our 2026 sire team that are in the 30s for weaning rate (WR).

Our 2026 sire team average for WR is 15.2.

“I think the sweet spot is somewhere in the 20's if you don’t want too many triplets.”

This year, 745 mature ewes are lambing at 174% and 284 ewe lambs at 170% on Karingal’s 98ha (12.7 sheep per ha including rams).

“We are expecting to wean around 1,200 lambs from the mature ewes and another 400 from the ewe lambs.”

Worm resistance is another important part of

Low Footprint Lamb Owner, Matt Kelly with sire 250196 currently in the top 5% for PWT (Lambplan Maternal Database) the operation.

“Our mature ewes have not been drenched since 2020 and pre-lambing worm egg counts (WECs) came back this year at 50 and 0.

They can run at high stocking rates because

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they don’t have the wool-growing energy cost, they are highly worm resistant and are positive for genetic Condition Score.”

“We also have 220 rams which ran at 24 per Ha in Winter and reached 940 eggs per gram be-

fore getting an individual WEC and drench. This was their last test before we let them muscle up and shed during Spring, ready for our ram sale on November 30.”

Five decades for local WeUsAnCo FOR 50 years, the family business at WeUsAnCo Transport has continued to grow and adapt alongside the changing needs of their customers.

What began five decades ago has grown into a diverse operation, with transport and stock feed at the heart of what they do today.

The transport fleet at WeUsAnCo handles a wide range of freight, from wool, hay and general freight through to bulk commodities.

Their tippers are equipped to cart and deliver grain, fertiliser, gypsum and other bulk products, providing a reliable service from paddock to destination.

Alongside the transport operation, the company’s feed mill produces custom stock feed mixes from scratch, catering to the indi-

vidual requirements of sheep, lamb and dairy producers.

They work with their customers to create mixes suited to their livestock and feeding needs, with feed available for both bulk delivery and collection, as well as in bulker bags.

Being a family business for 50 years has taught the company the importance of reliability, flexibility and, most importantly, looking after the people they work with.

They understand that every farm and every season brings different challenges, and they pride themselves on providing practical solutions that their customers can depend on.

As WeUsAnCo celebrates 50 years, they’re proud of where the business has come from and excited for what lies ahead.

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WeUsAnCo Transport has continued to grow and adapt with their customers for the past 50 years. (Supplied)

LAMB FOCUS

Decades of data delivers MORE than 50 years of performance recording and objective measurement continues to underpin the breeding direction at Woolumbool, where the Clothier family has built its prime lamb genetics around traits that deliver for commercial producers.

Based at Lucindale in South Australia’s southeast, Woolumbool has been breeding high-performance rams for the prime lamb industry for more than half a century, with data playing an important role in breeding decisions for much of that time.

Woolumbool principal Aaron Clothier said the focus remained firmly on producing genetics that combined growth, carcase performance and eating quality with traits that matter commercially.

“Producers can expect to see fast growth from their lambs with adequate fat and reduced drenching requirements – what we target in our breeding is ultimately what we want producers to see in their lambs,” Aaron said.

“We continue to focus on high growth, particularly post-weaning weights, and keeping those that are above average.”

“The other traits are eating quality, including shear force and intramuscular fat, while also keeping a close eye on worm resistance through Worm Egg Count.

“We have been breeding towards eating quality for a number of years now, waiting for it to come to the fore, and we are right where we need to be. If we can keep improving that, that will be great.”

Those breeding objectives are backed by extensive performance recording, with many Woolumbool rams ranking within the top one to 10 per cent of terminal sires nationally across a range of Australian Sheep Breeding Values.

Heading into this year’s spring selling season, Aaron said conditions across the southeast were providing another reason for optimism.

Woolumbool principal Aaron Clothier (Supplied) “It is great to see the southeast looking so green and even better to hear from clients that their paddocks are looking the best they have in years,” he said.

“There is plenty of feed on the ground and the rams are coming along just nicely.

“The industry is pretty confident at the moment, which is nice to see. With lamb and wool prices where they are and the weather being very kind to us, confidence has had a good boost in the area.

“From all reports, lamb prices should hold

firm or potentially increase a little into spring, which we will look forward to, but wait with bated breath.”

Ewe numbers have remained relatively steady across the region, said Aaron noting producers were generally happy with the sheep they were carrying and the returns they were generating.

Stronger wool values have also contributed to renewed interest in Woolumbool’s Multi-Meat genetics.

“We’ve already received a couple of phone calls regarding the Multi-Meats, with wool being one of the reasons, but also because of the number of lambs they can produce and how well those lambs can grow out,” Aaron said.

“Decreased Microns should be a determining factor when purchasing a maternal sire. If you can use the Multi-Meat over a Merino, that firstcross ewe can produce valuable lambs as well as valuable wool.”

Buyer confidence in Woolumbool genetics was evident at last year’s annual ram sale, where 198 rams across the White Suffolk, Poll Dorset and Multi-Meat breeds sold to average $1651.

The result attracted both long-standing clients and new buyers from several states, with strong interest in rams backed by high-ranking performance figures.

Woolumbool will again offer a strong line-up at its annual on-property spring ram sale this year, with 200 purpose-bred White Suffolk, Poll Dorset and Multi-Meat rams to go under the hammer.

Backed by extensive performance data and more than five decades of breeding, the 2026 sale team will be offered at the Yacca Downs Woolshed from the new sale time of 1pm on Wednesday, October 7.

For the latest Woolumbool news and sale updates, visit woolumbool.com.au or follow Woolumbool on Facebook and Instagram.

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LAMB FOCUS

With proven genetics backed by extensive performance data, Cashmore Oaklea remains committed to producing productive, profitable sheep that consistently perform for Australian producers.

For more than 40 years, Cashmore Oaklea has remained focused on breeding productive, profitable maternal sheep that perform across a wide range of environments.

Productive and profitable FOR more than 40 years, Cashmore Oaklea has remained focused on breeding productive, profitable maternal sheep that perform across a wide range of environments.

The breeding objective is simple — to produce an easy-care sheep that maximises returns while minimising inputs. Selection focuses on the traits that matter most to produc-

ers, including fertility, growth, milk production, carcass quality and resistance to internal parasites.

Extensive performance recording continues to underpin the breeding program, with approximately 7,500 maternal lambs tagged, weighed and recorded each year.

The strength of these genetics was highlight-

ed in 2025, when Cashmore Oaklea produced 84% of all rams ranked in the top 10% nationally for both growth and fertility traits combined on the Sheep Genetics database — reflecting more than four decades of disciplined selection and genetic progress.

Cashmore Oaklea’s 2026 Annual Ram Sale will be held on Wednesday 30 September via Auc-

tionsPlus, offering more than 500 elite maternal composite rams and up to 250 Nudie rams across three separate sales.

With proven genetics backed by extensive performance data, Cashmore Oaklea remains committed to producing productive, profitable sheep that consistently perform for Australian producers.

Rare Medium Live puts lamb on menus REGIONAL sheep and lamb producers are well-positioned to benefit from a major shift in Australia’s dining landscape, as industry leaders step up efforts to put premium Australian lamb at the heart of metropolitan menus.

Amidst changing consumer habits, Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has launched a targeted campaign to connect regional producers directly with the chefs, retailers, and commercial buyers who decide what ends up on the nation’s plates.

At the heart of this push was the recent Rare Medium Live event, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

The event brought together 150 of the country’s most influential chefs, major foodservice customers, and retail buyers to explore how lamb can capture growing demand for value, quality, and protein-rich dining.

For sheep producers, these commercial connections are vital.

Industry leaders are working to get premium Australian lamb onto metropolitan menus.

MLA chief marketing and communications officer Nathan Low said the event was a practical demonstration of how strategic customer engagement builds long-term profitability back at the farm gate.

“Everything we do is focused on creating

value for Australian producers,” Mr Low said.

“By showcasing the quality, consistency, and versatility of our product, we’re helping inspire menu innovation, strengthen commercial relationships, and reinforce why Australian lamb remains the protein of choice for so many businesses and consumers.”

The metropolitan foodservice sector is grappling with a range of economic and cultural shifts, many of which play directly to the strengths of prime lamb.

Key discussions at Rare Medium Live and the concurrent Fine Food Australia exhibition highlighted several core forces reshaping menus - tightening household budgets, a surge in consumer interest in protein-rich foods that support health and wellbeing, and a desire for bold, diverse flavour profiles.

To prove lamb’s versatility to high-volume buyers, the Melbourne showcase featured cutting-edge dishes prepared by some of Australia’s leading culinary talents.

Among the highlights was a dish presented by acclaimed chef Rosheen Kaul - a Lamb Crepinette served with green chilli sauce vierge and almond tarator.

The dish demonstrated how traditional lamb cuts can be reimagined with modern, global flavours to command a premium price point on metropolitan menus.

Mr Low noted that whether supporting domestic demand or opening up new business development opportunities, these city-based events are designed to secure the future of regional businesses.

“Ultimately, these engagements help create long-term value for Australian producers,” Mr Low said.

For regional prime lamb producers, the message from the city is clear: the appetite for quality lamb remains strong, and the industry is actively working to ensure local paddocks continue to feed a hungry metropolitan market.

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LAMB FOCUS

Funds for sheep projects SOUTH Australia’s sheep and cattle industries will benefit from almost $5 million in producerfunded investment during 2026-27.

A total of $3.76 million has been committed through the Sheep Industry Fund (SIF) and $598,318 through the Cattle Industry Fund (CIF) for projects and activities in 2026-27, ensuring producer contributions continue to deliver practical outcomes for livestock businesses across South Australia.

The investment is backing projects and activities that strengthen biosecurity and animal health, improve predator and pest management, support future industry leaders, drive innovation, build workforce capability and enhance the long-term competitiveness of the state’s livestock sector.

In addition to project funding, the SIF will contribute $250,000 towards the rebuilding of the SA Dog Fence and $390,420 towards its ongoing maintenance, helping protect sheep enterprises across the state’s pastoral regions.

Approved projects are also expected to leverage substantial co-investment from research organisations, universities, government programs and industry partners, increasing the return on every dollar invested by SA sheep and cattle producers.

Livestock SA chief executive officer Travis Tobin said the funding demonstrated the value of South Australia’s unique industry funding model, with producer contributions being invested directly into projects that deliver measurable benefits to the sheep and cattle sectors.

“Every dollar invested through the Sheep and Cattle Industry Funds is working to build a stronger, more productive and more profitable future for South Australia’s livestock producers,” he said.

“These investments don’t simply fund projects. They strengthen our biosecurity systems, support innovation, improve productivity, develop future industry leaders and help protect the

market access and reputation that underpin the success of South Australian livestock businesses.”

Mr Tobin said this year’s funding round again highlighted the strong demand for industry-led investment.

“The quality of applications continues to demonstrate the innovation, commitment and ambition that exists throughout our livestock industries,” he said.

“While not every project could be funded, the level of interest shows there is no shortage of ideas and opportunities that can help strengthen the industry’s future.”

New At Call Funds have also been established through both the SIF and CIF to provide greater flexibility to invest in emerging priorities, strategic opportunities and unforeseen challenges outside the traditional annual funding round.

The funds will ensure industry can act quickly when new opportunities arise or when timely intervention is required.

“The livestock sector operates in a dynamic environment, and opportunities can emerge at any time,” Mr Tobin said.

“The At Call Funds will allow industry to respond more quickly when important opportunities arise, whether that involves leveraging external investment, supporting a strategic industry priority or addressing a challenge that cannot wait until the next funding round.”

Small Project Funds have also been retained, recognising the important role smaller initiatives play in supporting industry development, producer capability and regional communities.

These funds provide a practical pathway for local and industry-led projects to access support and deliver benefits back to producers.

For more information about the 2026-27 SIF and CIF approved projects, visit livestocksa.com. au/industry-funds

Livestock SA chief executive officer Travis Tobin said the funding demonstrated the value of South Australia’s unique industry funding model. (Supplied)

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LAMB FOCUS

Reps head to Indonesia THE National Farmers’ Federation’s (NFF) Australian Agriculture Trade Diversification Representative, Su McCluskey, will travel to Indonesia this week for her first international engagement.

Hosted by the NFF, Ms McCluskey provides a ‘whole-of-sector’ agricultural voice across international trade engagements to support Australian agriculture industries in pursuing trade diversification opportunities in new and existing markets.

The role is funded through the Federal Government’s Accessing New Markets Initiative, delivered by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission.

Ms McCluskey said Indonesia was a natural focus for her first international engagement as the Australian Agriculture Trade Diversification Representative.

“Indonesia is one of Australia’s most important agricultural partners, with strong relationships and complementary agricultural sectors creating significant opportunities for both countries,” Ms McCluskey said.

“Trade diversification is about investing in these relationships, understanding what our trading partners need and identifying where Australian agriculture can provide value over the long term as a safe, reliable and secure supplier of food and fibre products.

Ms McCluskey will be joined by representatives from the Australian grains and livestock export sectors, including NFF members GrainGrowers and Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council, as well as representatives from Meat and Livestock Australia.

They will attend meetings and site visits across grains and animal feed, livestock, dairy

and horticulture facilities, as well as engagement with Indonesian Government industry representatives.

“Indonesia is a market where we already have strong agricultural ties, but there is considerable potential to deepen those relationships and identify new opportunities,” Ms McCluskey said.

Importantly, the agricultural trade relationship is two-way, supporting the food security and agricultural priorities of both nations.

This was clearly demonstrated earlier this year when Indonesia helped secure critical supplies of urea fertiliser for Australian farmers during a period of significant global supply disruption. These suppliers ensured Australian producers can continue to supply food and fibre to our regional partners and global customers.

Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council chief executive officer Mark Harvey-Sutton said the

live export partnership with Indonesia is built on decades of strong relationships, mutual trust and shared interests, delivering benefits well beyond the trade in cattle.

“Australian livestock contribute to Indonesia’s growing food production and beef supply chains, while the partnership supports jobs, investment and economic activity in communities across both countries,” he said.

“Visits such as this provide an important opportunity to strengthen understanding of the trade on the ground, see the contribution Australian cattle are making to Indonesia’s food and agricultural sector, and reinforce the strong people-to-people and business relationships that underpin this important partnership.”

Grants for farmer finance counselling DESPITE recent rainfall, farmers are still feeling the effect of drought across the state but some relief is on the way.

The South Australian Government has extended critical financial counselling support services for regional communities continuing to recover from the recent drought.

While recent rainfall has helped business confidence levels across the South Australian agricultural sector place among the highest in the nation when compared with other states and territories, many rural businesses continue to recover from recent drought conditions.

The state government will give $876,000 to Rural Business Support (RBS) to extend its financial counselling services for businesses that have endured sustained hardship from drought.

Increased resourcing will be maintained for the Rural Financial Counselling Service, delivered by RBS on behalf of the state and federal governments.

Rural Business Support - Rural Financial Counselling Service chief executive officer Brett Smith was grateful for the support.

“We’re grateful for the South Australian government’s support, recognising that while seasonal conditions have improved, the financial impacts of the drought in recent years continue to affect many farming businesses,” he said.

“This funding ensures our rural financial counsellors can keep helping primary producers and fishing businesses navigate ongoing challenges and make informed decisions to strengthen and improve their financial positions.

“Primary producers are operating in an increasingly complex environment, facing cost pressures, tighter finances, market changes, biosecurity risks and global uncertainty.

“Independent financial counselling remains essential in helping businesses to understand their options and plan with confidence.

“This investment is provided through the $117 million Drought Support Package.

The government will continue monitoring seasonal conditions and industry impacts throughout 2026 to ensure support measures remain responsive to community needs.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said the many farming families and regional communities were still facing incredibly difficult circum-

he South Australian Government has extended critical financial counselling support services for regional communities . stances, despite recent rain.

“We know the impacts of drought do not disappear overnight,” she said.

“Recovery can take years, particularly when compounded by challenges including natural disasters, rising input costs, and fertiliser and fuel pressures.

“That is why the state government is con-

tinuing to invest in services that support both business resilience and drought recovery.

“The Rural Financial Counselling Service plays a vital role in helping people navigate financial stress and connect with practical and emotional support when they need it most.

“This additional funding will help ensure there are no gaps in service delivery and that regional South Australians can continue ac-

cessing free, confidential support.

Every farming business faces different challenges and opportunities, which is why there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Continued investment in rural financial counselling gives producers the confidence to make informed decisions, while strengthening regional communities and South Australia’s long-term prosperity.

Farm fire fighting grant open for one more week A popular farm firefighting program has been given a boost ahead of the fire danger season, providing more targeted support to farmers and landholders who help keep their communities safe.

The latest round of Farm Firefighting Unit (FFU) grants will provide $500,000 to enable South Australians to buy equipment they need to protect lives and property across the state.

Grants up to $5,000 are available for farm fire12 The Border Watch Lamb Focus 2026

fighting units, while $1,000 can go towards items including water pumps and hose reels, UHF/CB radios, first aid kits, fire blankets, heat shields and personal protective equipment.

The program has funded nearly 1,500 pieces of equipment and supported around 850 recipients over the past four rounds.

In 2026-27, farmers will have easier access to vital funding through strengthened criteria to ensure individuals, rather than groups, are the ones

receiving support.

Eligible applicants must have a currently registered FFU, have received no funding in the past two years, and apply for reimbursement in a single category.

Previous rounds have had consistently high demand and changes made this year – in consultation with the CFS – will improve farm firefighting capability, safety and preparedness in more regional communities.

The government also provided an additional $955,000 to boost the CFS’s capability last summer including new water storage tanks and improved fire refuges.

Recipients are encouraged to purchase equipment from their region to support the local community and economy.

Round Five will close on Friday 18 September.

Program guidelines and application information are available at: cfs.sa.gov.au/grants/.

LAMB FOCUS

33rd sale at Richmond Park THE principals of Richmond Park sincerely thanked all who considered purchasing terminal or selected sires in 2025.

They remain committed to producing structurally sound rams with genetics required to meet today’s prime lamb market.

Mulgundawa Poll Dorset continues to be above breed average for the profit driving traits; weaning weight, post weaning weight, eye muscle depth, lean meat yield and dressing %.

The sires used to produce the 2026 sale offering will include genetics from: Derrynock 1017/23 Top 5% PEMD. Top 10% PWT and LMY. Top 20% WWT,

PWT and DRESS. Valma 138/23 Top 5% LMY. Top 10% WWT, PWT and DRESS. Top 20% PEMD. Mulgundawa 632/23 Top 10% WWT. Top 20% PWT. Mulgundawa 869/23 Long well-balanced sire.

Above 10 for WWT and 16 for PWT. Mulgundawa 728/22 Low BWT, easy doing sire with good carcase.

Three Newbold sires, 56/22, 443/22 and 632/22 All in the top 10-20% for WWT and PWT. Richmond Park White Suffolk rams have the

length, shape, muscle and growth genetics to keep your prime lamb and maternal production profitable.

The 2026 sale team will have progeny from: Baringa 242/23 Top 5% PWT and LMY, Top 10% WWT and Top 20% DRESS. Wakeleigh 62/23 An all-rounder sire, above 10 for WWT, 16 for PWT and above 3 for PEMD. Farrer 87/22 Low BWT and Top 20% PEMD. Rangeview sires 2091/22 and 2092/22 Full brothers, excellent shape and doing ability.

Smithston 856/22 A sound sire with balanced

figures. Above 10 for WWT and 16 for PWT. Ashmore 59/22 Above 10 for WWT, 16 for PWT and 3 for PEMD. Top 20% LMY. Buyers will find rams from both breeds to produce trade or export lambs.

Flocks are OJD approved vaccinates, Bruc Acc free #35 and Scabigard vaccinated.

Sale rams treated with Flexolt, 7in1, Multimin and Zolvix Plus.

For more complete information please visit their website: https://www.richmondparkmulgundawa. com/ or Facebook page. Look for their QR code.

Industry insight for Chinese delegation INDUSTRY leaders from China have seen behind the scenes at Australia’s red meat production.

A delegation of Chinese red meat industry leaders recently completed a landmark tour of Australia’s livestock and processing sector, strengthening industry ties and advancing cooperation between Australia’s and China’s cattle and red meat industries.

The August visit formed part of a major Australia-China industry engagement initiative funded by the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations and delivered by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) in partnership with the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) and other red meat peak industry bodies.

Designed to deepen engagement between Australian and Chinese industry stakeholders, strengthen technical dialogue and support long-term industry-to-industry collaboration, the week-long Western Australia-based program connected Chinese industry representatives with Australian producers, processors, researchers and industry stakeholders across the red meat supply chain, providing first-hand insights into Australia’s production systems, food safety standards, livestock traceability, animal welfare frameworks and processing capabilities.

The tour marks a significant milestone in the Australia-China cattle and red meat industry cooperation project announced earlier this year.

MLA’s general manager for international markets Andrew Cox said the visit demonstrated the value of bringing industry leaders together to foster mutual understanding and build stronger commercial and technical relationships.

“Strong relationships are critical to the longterm success of the Australia-China red meat trade, and this visit has created valuable opportunities for future cooperation between industry leaders in both countries,” he said.

“Throughout the week, delegates were able to see first-hand the strength and integrity of Australia’s red meat supply chain, from live-

The Chinese delegation got a look at Australia’s red meat processing. (Supplied) stock production and feedlot management through to processing, research and export.

“The discussions held during the tour highlighted a shared commitment to innovation, food safety, sustainability and continuous improvement and mutual collaboration. These are the conversations that help build trust and create long-term value for both industries and ultimately both country’s consumers.”

“The connections established through this program will support ongoing collaboration and help strengthen the foundations of an important relationship.”

The Western Australia tour is the first of two major exchanges being delivered through the initiative.

It will be followed by an outbound visit by Australian industry representatives to China and culminate in the inaugural Australia-China Livestock and Red Meat Industry Cooperation Forum, creating a platform for ongoing dialogue and future collaboration on issues of mutual interest.

The week-long Western Australia-based program connected Chinese industry representatives with Australian producers, processors, researchers and industry stakeholders across the red meat supply chain.

The project is supported by the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations, an Australian Government initiative that pro-

motes and coordinates enhanced cooperation between Australia and China in support of Australia’s national interests.

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The Border Watch Lamb Focus 2026 13

LAMB FOCUS

Addressing water quality

Zac, Jai, Paul and Melissa Pearce at work. (Supplied) productivity and animal performance.

What sets HYDROSMART apart in today’s marketplace is its straightforward business model. The units are purchased once and require virtually no ongoing maintenance. Many systems installed during the company’s early years remain operational more than two decades later.

Power consumption is minimal, with units operating from standard power supplies or solar installations and typically costing around $10 per year to run.

For regional Australia, where access to service

technicians and replacement equipment can be challenging, reliability has become one of the technology’s strongest selling points.

From broadacre farms and dairies to council sporting ovals, golf courses and household gardens, the aim remains simple: make difficult water sources more productive and easier to manage.

In an era increasingly dominated by subscription services and recurring fees, HYDROSMART’s philosophy remains decidedly old-fashioned.

“We’ve always believed in solving the water

problem once and letting the technology keep working,” Mr Pearce said.

For thousands of Australian users, that simple approach has helped keep farms productive, gardens thriving and livestock performing, even when water quality would otherwise be holding them back.

After 25 years in the field, the small Adelaide team continues to focus on what it believes matters most – providing practical, long-term solutions that help rural Australians make the most of every drop.

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FOR more than 25 years, a small South Australian team has been quietly helping farmers, councils and landholders tackle one of Australia’s most persistent challenges – poor water quality.

Operating from Parkside in Adelaide, HYDROSMART has built a loyal following across the country with its patented Ultra Low Frequency (ULF) electronic water conditioning technology, affectionately referred to by many customers as the “magic pipe”.

The company remains proudly family-owned and operated. The team consists of founder Paul Pearce, his 24-year-old son, alongside an engineer, a sales specialist, a biologist and an electronics engineer.

Together they have spent decades refining a technology designed to help Australians get more from their available water supplies.

Unlike chemical treatments or systems requiring ongoing maintenance and consumables, HYDROSMART units are installed onto existing water supply lines, typically after a pump, storage tank or dam. As water passes through the unit, it is electronically conditioned before being distributed to irrigation systems, livestock watering points, sporting facilities or household gardens.

The result, according to thousands of users across Australia, is improved water performance in situations where salinity, hardness, calcium scale and dissolved iron have traditionally limited productivity.

Among the many success stories is a producer near Keith in South Australia’s South East who reports consistently achieving five lucerne cuts each summer over the past five years, compared with the two to three cuts previously obtained from the same paddocks.

For many landholders, the technology has proven particularly valuable where water quality options are limited.

Farmers are successfully irrigating crops, gardens and pastures using water with total dissolved solids (TDS) levels of 3,000 to 4,000 parts per million, while maintaining plant health and productivity.

The technology is also helping address a costly issue familiar to many irrigators: mineral scale build-up.

Calcium and iron deposits that gradually choke pipes, sprinklers and drippers can significantly reduce irrigation efficiency and increase maintenance costs. Users report that conditioned water progressively assists in reducing these deposits while improving overall water delivery.

The potential livestock benefits are also attracting increasing interest from researchers and producers alike.

A recently commenced three-year water quality study supported through PIRSA is examining the impacts of treated versus untreated water on sheep performance. Early observations from the first three months have shown increased sheep weight gains in the treated water group.

Meanwhile, dairy farmers across several regions have reported increases in milk production, along with improvements in butterfat and protein levels after introducing conditioned water into their operations.

While the research continues, producers using the technology are increasingly viewing water quality as an overlooked factor influencing both

14 The Border Watch Lamb Focus 2026

LAMB FOCUS

Ram sale for Castle Camps THE Castle Camps Border Leicester and White Suffolk ram sale will be held on Friday, 25 September starting at 11am, with inspections from 9.30am.

There will be 80 White Suffolk and 70 Border Leicester rams available.

The sale will again be on Auctions Plus. You are also more than welcome to arrange a presale inspection.

This year’s offering of White Suffolk’s will again include rams by Days 20/ 180.

He has breed very well for us and we are again looking forward to offering his progeny.

Castle Camps 21/713, a long ram with good depth, his rams have been 3 to 4 kilos above aver-

age at every weighing this year.

Our two AI rams.

Felix 21/1239 a low birth weight ram and in the top 5%for Pwt, Pemd and Pfat and Felix 23/457 a ram in the top 10% for Wwt,Pwt, Pemd and Pfat.

We are confident that all these rams will have some very good rams for your selection.

Our Border Leicester offering this year will again have many rams with a negative WEC’s, as most of the sires represented in the catalogue have a negative worm egg count.

The offering will include rams by Gleneith 21/151. He is a high growth low birth weight ram that is positive for both muscle and fat. He sits in

the top 5% across all four Maternal selection indexes. Castle Camps 23/710 a low birth weight positive fat son of Gleneith 21/151, he is in the top 20% Mwwt and Pemd.

While we don’t offer individual micron tests on rams we feel that the importance we have placed on wool is reflected in our own First Cross ewes.

Over the last few years our First Cross ewes have been between 25 to 27 micron with yields in the low 70%.

We run our stud operation with a commercial focus in mind with importance placed on sheep with good natural doing ability.

Our stud ewes are run under commercial con-

ditions, and our young rams are run through the summer and autumn with only minimal supplementary feeding.

This gives us confidence that our rams go on and perform well for our clients. Our clients continue getting excellent results with both lambs and their first cross ewes when selling over the hooks, online or through the sale yards.

We invite you to come and inspect the rams either on sale day or before the sale.

You can also follow us on face book or go to our website www.castlecamps.com.au for our online catalogue or just give Ian a call on 0438 566 030 if you have any questions or to arrange a suitable time for an inspection before the sale.

The Castle Camps Border Leicester and White Suffolk ram sale will be held on September 25. (Supplied)

BORDER LEICESTER & WHITE SUFFOLK STUD

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The Border Watch Lamb Focus 2026 15

LAMB FOCUS

Suffolks and Baldies on offer TWO different breeds, two different aims but a very similar approach.

While one is terminal and one is a maternal breed, a lot of things remain the same.

For both breeds we are committed to the basic principle of structural integrity.

This is followed by a strong commitment to performance data – animals that are born easily grow quickly have a moderate maturity pattern and have both carcase yield and quality. With the baldies we add the very important maternal characteristics, early puberty, plenty of lambs and good mothering ability.

The White Suffolks are once again a very even group of correct structured, performance rams.

Year on year we are achieving increases in our post weaning weight, fat, and eye muscle depth ASBV’s while maintain moderate birthweights.

We have added into that carcase quality with IMF ASBV’s well above breed average.

Homebred sires used as ram lambs have added plenty to our performance profile. 240038 is top 10% for PWT, IMF, Shear Force, and WEC. 240144 and 240224 both exhibit plenty of growth, being in top 5% for PWT. Outcross sires Warburn 220119 and Farrer 230076 have also significantly added to our growth and carcase figures.

2026 has been an interesting year for our white baldies. We were part of an MLA methane project which saw us over 3 days put 290 ewes in chambers to measure their methane output.

We look forward to seeing the results. A side benefit is that we genotyped these ewes which will give increased accuracy of our ASBV’s.

This year’s sale team sees an increase in shedding from previous years while maintaining our

Days Whiteface has seen an increase in shedding from previous years while maintaining body type and increasing performance profile. (Supplied) body type and increasing our performance profile.

We look forward to 2027 when we will be

able to present shedding ASBV’s along with our growth, carcase and welfare trait ASBV’s.

We always look forward to welcoming any-

one that would like to discuss how our genetics can improve your herd or any enquiries you may have just give Lach a call on 0428521640.

Top quality studs and rams at Allendale ALLENDALE’S 54rd Annual Sale will be held on Friday October the 2nd, in conjunction with Day’s White Suffolks and White Baldies.

Allendale will offer 120 Poll Dorset Stud and flock rams and 67 Suffolk stud and flock rams.

The Poll Dorset offering will consist of 12 sirey stud rams and 108 quality flock rams.

Main sires in both stud and flock rams are Ivadene 250005 “Slick” a correct well muscled ram that has bred very consistently.

Slick, is a low birthweight sire with top 20% PEMD of 3.6 and positive fat with 3 stud rams represented.

Homebred sires with influence are Allendale 255/22 who has bred extremely well with four sons in the stud ram offering. Allendale 44/23 the top ram of that drop has also bred well with well muscled progeny with clean points.

Along with impressive performance data the Allendale Poll Dorsets are clean pointed, structurally correct with good conformation and early maturity.

The Allendale Suffolk ram offering consists of 16 top quality stud rams and 51 performance recorded flock rams.

A feature sire is Allendale 1330 who has breed very consistently. 1330 is a top eating quality sire, being top 5% for IMF & SF5.

New genetics include 3 grandsons of Wendenlea 210003. Homebred sires Allendale 1029 and 1595 have bred consistently well with correct, long, meaty sons.

The Allendale Suffolk rams are well made, sound sheep with many rams excelling for eating quality traits.

Allendale strives for stock with type, performance and balance.

Allendale sheep are MN2 – V, Footrot free and Brucellosis accredited.

Ram photos, videos and catalogue are all on our website.

Please contact us if you would like any more information.

Allendale will offer 120 Poll Dorset Stud and flock rams and 67 Suffolk stud and flock rams.

(Supplied)

54TH ANNUAL SALE | Friday October 2nd, 11am

12888487-MS37-26

Suffolks 16 Stud Rams | 51 Flock Rams

16 The Border Watch Lamb Focus 2026

Poll Dorsets 12 Stud Rams | 108 Flock Rams

Angus 0488 997 457 | Alastair 0429 782 711

www.allendalestuds.com

12894012-LD37-26

LAMB FOCUS

Lamb outlook “positive”

A Poll Dorset Ram selling this October. (Supplied) mance ram purchased for $15,000 from Ivadene.

“Forward contracts for October are already coming in at 1000 to 1080c/kg, anything with a 10 in front of it is really positive,” Grant said.

“It is very exciting going forward, we are in the box seat with the sheep we already have that drives profit. The type of rams we are breeding continue to perform for our valued clients.”

The Hausler family welcomes all visitors to Janmac, Edenhope Road, Goroke, on Wednesday, October 7th, for the 22 nd Annual Production Sale.

For the latest news; sale updates, please visit www.janmac.com.au or Janmac Facebook; Instagram Page.

Group of 2026 sale rams.

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THE stars are all aligning for the Australian lamb industry this year and Janmac co-principal Grant Hausler is confident it is more than just a flash in the pan.

“It is quite clear that the outlook for lamb is overwhelmingly positive and it is driven by good fundamentals - strong overseas demand with people chasing protein and markets everywhere, and a record low ewe base,” he said.

While the current “perfect storm of high demand and low numbers” is certainly behind market strength, Grant, son Carl and a valued client were recently one of more than 1000 attendees at the bi-annual Lambex conference. His takeaway from there was that the industry optimism is here to stay.

“One of the things we took from Lambex was ‘it's different this time. The overall trend of positivity is long term, not a bubble or a boom, but a longer consistent trend, which is exciting.”

Grant runs Janmac Poll Dorset and White Suffolk stud with his brother Bryce, son Carl and their families at Goroke, Victoria.

Like many producers across the country, they are experiencing much improved seasonal conditions after a few tough years.

With a record number of registered buyers last year, the stud has been encouraged to offer an increased number of rams at their annual onproperty sale this year.

About 200 Poll Dorset and White Suffolk rams will go under the hammer on Wednesday October 7 at 1pm.

Last year the 50 registered buyers cleared all 181 rams catalogued to a top price of $7000, with Poll Dorsets averaging $1806 and White Suffolks $1269.

“We still focus on growth and carcass shape and still chase yield because it gives them the flexibility, they have options.

“We are continuing to do what we know works and breed sheep that make our clients’ money,” Grant said.

“Our lamb industry has changed, it isn’t the same it was five years ago - there are markets for super heavy, trade lambs to light lambs, all offering different cuts and opportunities.

“There has also been a change with the rise of the lot feeding industry, which is putting a really solid floor in the store lamb market. That industry going forward will be able to add value to those looking to sell their store lambs, a market that wasn’t there five years ago.”

The national sheep flock was forecast by Meat and Livestock Australia to fall to 67.1 million head

by June this year, the lowest figure since 2020, after several years of high turnoff and record production.

“We can’t rebuild the flock quickly; this will underpin the medium-term outlook and see a strong demand for rams.”

This demand along with high lamb prices is likely to flow through to maternals as well, Grant added, with strong clearance rates expected this spring.

Proven genetic lines from Kurralea, Ulandi Park, Mallee Park and Janmac will feature in this year’s sale, as will progeny from a high-perfor-

The Border Watch Lamb Focus 2026 17

LAMB FOCUS

One billion dollars in output THE country’s agriculture sector has hit $100 billion in farmgate output, four years before schedule.

Australian agriculture’s leaders gathered at Parliament House in Canberra recently to celebrate the achievement and to begin the conversation about the next national goal for Australian agriculture.

Hosted by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) in Parliament’s Great Hall, the $100 billion celebration brought together more than 300 leaders from across agriculture, government, business and regional Australia, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the Leader of the Opposition Angus Taylor and dozens of parliamentarians from across the political spectrum.

The event recognised a milestone first set by the NFF in 2018, when the $60 billion industry challenged itself to reach $100 billion by 2030.

Earlier this year, Australian agriculture reached $101.4 billion, meaning the industry has passed the target four years early despite droughts, bushfires, floods and global disruption.

NFF president Hamish McIntyre said the achievement belonged to farmers and to the supply chains, researchers, businesses, communities and successive governments that helped carry it forward.

“This milestone did not happen by accident.

It happened because Australian farmers backed themselves, took risks, adapted, innovated and kept producing some of the best food and fibre in the world through some tough conditions,” he said.

The celebration included a symbolic signing of the original $100 billion pledge, closing the chapter on a target that became a north star for the sector and a shared goal across industry, government, policy, investment and innovation.

NFF chief executive officer Michael Guerin said reaching $100 billion was not the end of the story, but the moment to ask what comes next.

Mr Guerin announced the NFF will partner with AgriFutures Australia over the next 12 months to lead a national conversation about what comes after $100 billion, combining the NFF’s convening role with AgriFutures’ systemsthinking expertise.

“The process will bring a broader range of voices to the National Table, testing questions about long-term farm profitability, value creation, careers and communities, and agriculture’s role in Australia’s prosperity, food security, landscapes and national resilience,” he said.

Prime Minister Albanese said Australian farmers worked hard every day to put food on Australian tables and export some of the best produce in the world.

“Conflict in the Middle East has put pressure on global supply chains and that’s why my Government has acted to secure shiploads of fuel and fertiliser to get farmers and producers through planting and cropping,” he said.

“We are also looking to the future, investing in

NFF President Hamish McIntyre. a government-owned, 1 billion litre strategic fuel reserve.

“We’ve been preparing for H5 bird flu, investing more than $113 million to strengthen our response including the ongoing roll out of vaccines for wild bird species.

“My government is investing in our agriculture sector to build our nation up and grow our success.

“We’ll keep backing Australian farmers and

the regional communities that rely on them.”

Leader of the Opposition Angus Taylor said praised Australian Farmers.

“This is a story of hard-working Australian farmers who have fed and clothed our nation. A story of aspirational Australian farmers around whom country towns have been built and regions have thrived. A story of enterprising Australian farmers whose business and exports have generated wealth that’s helped build our

great country.

“The Australian achievement would not have been possible without our pioneering farmers and our agricultural history.

“I thank the NFF for bringing this event together and celebrating our national success in agriculture.”

The next national industry ambition was launched at the NFF national conference, AgXchange, in Adelaide from 23 to 25 August 2027.

Lovegrass now a priority weed Survey is now open

AFRICAN lovegrass has been announced as a new national priority weed for Australia. African lovegrass is a challenge in the northern part of the Limestone Coast region. It has invaded pasture and crops and is expensive to control.

Recently, the National Biosecurity Committee accepted African lovegrass as a national established weed priority.

Dr. Penny Schulz, chair of the Limestone Coast Landscape Board said, “The listing of African lovegrass as a national priority demonstrates the threat this pest grass poses to agriculture and the environment,” she said.

“The Limestone Coast Landscape Board has been working on African lovegrass control for the past five years.

“We’ve been controlling African lovegrass on roadsides and working with PIRSA to deliver onfarm practical assistance to landholders in the northern part of the region.

“We’ve had some wins already by being vigilant and controlling several outbreaks in the southern part of the Limestone Coast region to 18 The Border Watch Lamb Focus 2026

make sure priority agriculture areas remain African lovegrass free.”

The Limestone Coast Landscape Board coordinated input from various agencies and community groups across Australia to make the submission to the National Biosecurity Commission.

Mayor Liz Goossens of the Tatiara District Council was delighted with the outcome.

“Landholders in the Tatiara region have been extremely concerned by the impacts of African lovegrass to primary production,” she said.

“The benefit the listing has is that it can help jurisdictions work together to tap into potential national funding to accelerate finding solutions to better control this pest grass.”

African lovegrass.

LIVESTOCK SA is seeking feedback from South Australian livestock producers to help shape our advocacy, policy priorities, project delivery and communications over the next 12 months and beyond.

Responses will help Livestock SA understand the issues affecting your business, where Livestock SA should focus its efforts, and how they can better support and communicate with producers. Responses are confidential and can be provided anonymously.

Complete the survey on the Livestock SA website.

LAMB FOCUS

Producers voice concerns

By Kaitlyn Gibbons MURRAYLANDS livestock producers have taken their concerns directly to the state’s peak industry body as Livestock SA returned to Murray Bridge for its annual Regional Round-Up. Drought recovery, wild dog activity, biosecurity and mounting land-use pressures were among the key issues discussed at the Bridgeport Hotel on Wednesday, 26 August.

Livestock SA chief executive Travis Tobin said the event, now in its third successive year in Murray Bridge, allowed the organisation to update producers on its work while hearing firsthand about the challenges facing local livestock businesses.

“We do five of them across South Australia and it’s really a way for us to better connect with our membership,” Mr Tobin said.

“The livestock industry is the most common and widely spread agricultural industry across the state. It occupies more than 80 per cent of the agricultural land and there’s over 6000 livestock producers in South Australia.”

Mr Tobin said drought recovery was among the most significant issues discussed after producers endured two extremely difficult seasons.

“There’s a higher degree of optimism out there because the season has been so good this year and livestock prices remain really high across all livestock classes, but it’s also to note that recovery in a livestock business is not quick,” he said.

“It can take several years, and particularly after the drought event, what we have seen for some businesses, it might be up to five years to recover fully.

“There’s that sort of optimism, but also knowing there’s a long road ahead.”

Livestock SA is continuing to work with the State Government on drought assistance, in-

Livestock SA chair Gillian Fennell, board member Colin Trengove, chief executive Travis Tobin, marketing and media manager Cathy McHugh with guest speaker Josh Cousins from Cousins Merino Services. (Livestock SA) cluding changes to its $200 million drought loan scheme.

“We think it’s sort of been a bit limited and that’s evidenced by its limited uptake,” Mr Tobin said.

“We’d like to see that expanded so it’s available to more producers - that’s low-cost capital and investment to be able to recover better.”

A more immediate concern for Murray and Mallee producers is the increased risk of wild

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dogs crossing into South Australia following changes to dingo protections in north-western Victoria.

Mr Tobin said about 250 kilometres of the border between Victoria’s Big Desert and South Australia’s Ngarkat region remained unfenced.

“We have seen increased signs of dingo activity in that part of the state,” he said.

“We know as a state what happens when you let wild dog management systems get ahead of you and you don’t manage it effectively, and we know the cost to producers, both in a social sense and an economic sense in the long term.”

Industry and government have already invested about $28 million to $29 million in rebuilding 1600 kilometres of South Australia’s dog fence, with about 1100 kilometres completed.

Mr Tobin said South Australian industry and government agreed on the need for effective wild dog controls, with the Victorian Government’s position remaining the major point of difference.

“Wild dogs don’t respect a state border unless there’s a physical barrier there that they can’t get through,” he said.

Producers were also facing increasingly complicated rules surrounding Aboriginal heritage, native title, water allocation, environmental regulation and mining developments.

Mr Tobin warned proposed federal environmental reforms could overlap with state legislation, potentially creating duplication, delays and additional costs.

“All that regional framework within which you operate, just doing day-to-day business, is a bit harder and more costly,” he said.

Livestock SA will continue advocating for clearer regulations, drought assistance and coordinated biosecurity and wild dog management, informed by concerns raised directly by producers at its regional events.

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