he Adelaide Showground hosted 170 people for its second Cleanskin Sheep Australia Symposium on 10th and 11th February. Titled "Management and Production - Your Questions Answered" the symposium focused on the practical side of raising cleanskin / fleece shedding sheep.

Dr Alex Ball, Meat and Livestock Australia informed attendees of the world demand for lamb, expected supply in Australia and issues that producers need to address in "getting serious" about meat production.

Seminars included presentations from producers in the pastoral, cereal and high rainfall areas of Australia focusing on their production, management tools and the transition to a cleanskin / fleece shedding enterprise. Sara Wilson addressed the topic of "Changing Enterprises" and provided some worthy comment on her experience in replacing her Merino flock with cleanskin / fleece shedding sheep for higher returns and less management.

A focus on marketing saw Jamie McTaggart, Spear Creek Dorper Lamb, and Trevor Hill, Bruce's Meats, touch on the retail sector and the value of purchasing Dorper lamb for its eating quality and clean image. Trevor honed in on "pay more - get a lot more" and presented results of his trial on the cost and weight comparison of Spear Creek Dorper lamb versus lamb purchased from the supermarket shelf. He identified a better consumable meat yield from Dorper lamb, and as a result only offers 100% Spear Creek Dorper Lamb to his customers at his Bruce's Meats business located at Mitcham Shopping Centre in Adelaide.

Other topics included nutrition, the role of cross breeding, animal health and welfare, environmental methods and a presentation by Malcolm Brady, BR&C Agents, on traditional marketing methods. 

A dinner was held on the Thursday night in the Old Ram Shed where attendees enjoyed Spear Creek Dorper lamb kindly donated by Jamie McTaggart.

A number of breed presentations were held in the Sheep Pavilion to identify the attributes of the various breeds currently recognized by CSA, and also introduce a new breed - the Australian Wiltidam. Breed society and commercial displays proved to be an attraction with attendees leaving with a bank of new knowledge to put into practice in their cleanskin / fleece shedding enterprise.

CSA manager, Malcolm Buckby, has labeled the event extremely successful. "We were very pleased with the numbers achieved at this year's Symposium affirming the need to continue to provide a source of information for cleanskin / fleece shedding producers. CSA is very much looking forward to developing a third Symposium for 2012 and have already identified a number of topics to address on the management and production of these breeds," Mr Buckby said.

The 2011 sale achieved a top price of $2000 for a White Dorper ram bred by H & M Whittlesea, Hayelle stud. Although a clearance rate of only 50% was achieved, AuctionsPlus have already approached CSA with the possibility to run a combined ram and ewe sale in conjunction with next year's Symposium. Mr Buckby highlighted the commercial aspect and the ability of bidding online through AuctionsPlus could assist in generating more interest for cleanskin / fleece shedding animals and increase sales. "We are excited to have been approached by AuctionsPlus and look forward to developing the prospects of such a sale with them", he said.

CSA acknowledges the support and commitment of its sponsors for 2011; Stock Journal, RA&HS of SA, Meat & Livestock Australia, Sheep CRC, Pfizer Animal Health and AuctionsPlus.

Presentation, additional reports and reviews are available to download below: