SBPA - 20 August Meeting Summary

Another fabulous gathering at Shoalhaven Council Chambers last Friday.

Attendances are hovering around 20 people and increasing which is fabulous.

Welcome to Rob and Pru Broughton from Broughton Vale to the Association.

Key points from the meeting :

• Chairman's Report. The SBPA participation at the Shoalhaven Food and Wine Fair 8/9 January 2011. The aim of this activity is to develop consumer awareness of the shoalhaven beef product.This is happening ahead of palpable demand from the local consumer market for quality locally produced beef. We are seeking volunteers for the activities required to make this successful : marketing, distribution network development, fair point-of-sale, food preparation, livestock management, manual labour ( not thespanish tennis player). Interested and committed ?  ..... Email chairman@shoalhavenbeef.asn.au
• Education Director. DII have met with SDBPA and proposed a fabulous 12 month outlook for  beef enterprise education outline for the Shoalhaven Region. This programme will be published separately for comment. support or other wise. Areas cover Startegic Farm Management, Beef Production Optimisation, Topper Fodder Production,  More Beef from Pastures programme. Enquiries secretary@shoalhavenbeef.asn.au
• Small Farm Network Opportunities. Andrew Britton  from Small Farms Network has indicated that there exists opportunities of up to $20,000 to support education, small farm projects and community awareness. The Secretary is working with Andrew to preapre this submission by this Friday 27 August. Contribution ? Email secretary@shoalhavenbeef.asn.au

Guest speakers - Optimising Beef production

We enjoyed a fabulously informative talk from Vicki Smart and Amanda Britton from DII Berry about the important aspects of calf production.

Key points :

• Nutrition and animal condition are key enablers ...
• Breeder Indications are key to targeting conception ...
• Optimise bull power ...
• AI concepts and issues ...
• Support products are available cost effectively to assist informed decision making

Overall optimal production is about informed decision making and good management & planning.

Vicki and Amanda welcome further enquiries and and farm visits. vicki.smart@industry.nsw.gov.au amanda.britton@industry.nsw.gov.au

Next Meeting  ... 17 September 2010

Shoalhaven Food and Wine Fair 8/9 January 2011- Opportunity for Shoalhaven Beef Producers'

Shoalhaven Beef Producers' Association will be investing in a stall at the Shoalhaven Food and Wine Fair on the weekend of the 8th/9th January 2011. 

It is reported that the Shoalhaven Food and Wine Fair attracts up to 6,000 visitors over the weekend. This provides a fabulous opportunity to showcase our collective 'clean and green' produce from the local region,  and network with other Shoalhaven Food and Wine industry producers as well as the discerning local consumers.

An enthusiastic sub committee team is working on the project. A project plan is being developed for  Associaton to be discussed at the meeting in July 2010.

Goodevans Ospray Products direct from Distributor

Hi All

We have purchased herbicides from Chris at Goodevans, prices are cheaper then anywhere else we can find give him a call to get his stock and price list

Hi Brian, If you or any other farmers need anything, such as Bromoxynil or MCPA for Fireweed and Thistles, please let me know a.s.a.p. If anyone wants to buy chemicals before the 30^th June to minimise their taxation, please ask them to give me a call. If they give me orders, I am quite happy to write up Invoices before the 30^th June and deliver the products to them in the second week of July.

Chris Evans. Ph. 0408 697 597 02 97 999 643

25 June 2010 - Meeting - 8.30am - 12.00pm Guest Speaker is Senior District Vet, Dr Keith Hart

Keith Hart BVSc
Senior District Veterinarian
Cumberland Livestock Health and Pest Authority  ...

has agreed to be our guest speaker at the next meeting 25 June in Milton (Venue TBC but hope fully Cuppitts Winery) .

The brief that Dr Hart (no relation!) was to asked to cover was broad animal health issues affecting cattle and herd health in the district ..


The topics he has proposed to speak on are:


1. Insect transmitted diseases (Arboviruses) in cattle. Particular aspects will be:

· The sentinel herd system to track arboviruses

· Bluetongue virus

· Ephemeral fever (3 day sickness)

· Akabane virus – the cause of curly calves/dummy calves.

2. Bovine Johnes Disease, with particular reference to beef cattle (I can talk about this subject for hours, so I will speak briefly on it after covering the first topic fully, and then field questions about it).

3. Questions on any other topic.
 
If any member has  any specific questions that you may wish to be covered pse post them on the blog.

21 May 2010 - Shoalhaven Beef Producers' Assn discuss Winter Pastures/ Cattle Parasites

Shoalhaven Beef Producers' Assocation Meeting

Venue : DPI Facility Schofields Lane, Berry

Timings :

0900             Assemble/Coffee

0930            Meeting commences

1000 - 1100 Animal Husbandry Discussion - Cattle worm cycle and dealing with it !

1100 -1230  Farm Management Workshop - Cost benefit model for Winter Pasture - Followed by field visit to Mirabooka

Shoalhaven Beef Producers' Association starts blogging !

Shoalhaven Beef Producers' Association has started a blog to improve the communications and information sharing with its members and supporters .... Join now !