LATEST NEWS

DOWNLOAD THE LATEST CSA NEWSLETTER - May 2011
featuring reports, articles and information from the 2011 CSA Symposium in February

CSA announces 2012 Symposium date

Monday, 9th May 2011

Due to demand, CSA has announced the date for its 2012 Symposium - Thursday 8th and Friday 9th March.

After review, CSA has also relocated the event from the Members Banquet Room to the Ridley Centre and Wayville Pavilion at the Adelaide Showground, Wayville. The move will provide a modern, fully air-conditioned centre to increase the comfort of attendees and allow for a much greater capacity.

CSA enthusiasts are being encouraged to access an online survey regarding aspects of the 2012 Symposium, and to comment on topics in which they wish to see addressed at its next event.\

The survey can be accessed be click on the following link: www.surveymonkey.com.au/s/8Q8RCDR

Features of next year's Symposium will include small breakout sessions on a range of topics and question and answer panels to generate discussion between industry representatives and attendees.

More information will be available on the website shortly.

 

2011 CSA Symposium - Many Questions Answered

Wednesday, 9 March 2011

The Adelaide Showground was host to 170 people for the second Cleanskin Sheep Australia Symposium held on the 10th and 11th February 2011. 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 lote more" and presented results of his trial on the cost and weight comparison between Spear Creek Dorper Lamb and 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 for discussion included nutrition, crossbreeding, 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 breed currently recognised by CSA. This included the introduction of a new breed - the Australia Wiltidam. Breed society and commercial displays proved to be an attraction with attendees leaving with a bank of knowledge to put into practice in their cleanskin / fleece shedding enterprise.

CSA manager, Malcolm Buckby, has labeled the event successful in its second year running. "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 Whtie 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 ability of online bidding 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.

 

Cleanskin Sheep Australia launches second Symposium

Friday, 26 November 2010

Capitalizing on the success of the inaugural International Cleanskin Sheep Symposium held earlier this year, Cleanskin Sheep Australia (CSA) has today released its program and official registration and entry information for its second two-day event scheduled for 10th and 11th February 2011, at the Adelaide Showground, Wayville.

CSA is an initiative of the Rural Services Department, Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of SA, developed to cater for the growing cleanskin / fleece shedding industry in Australia and beyond. It's Symposium has been designed to provide an information exchange between producers and industry representatives, and an education opportunity regarding current cleanskin / fleece shedding sheep management practices and breeds. 

CSA is focused on presenting practical information to attendees about the cleanskin / fleece shedding industry that will assist with their enterprise. Bearing the title 'Management and Production' the 2011 program will feature an even mix of hands-on workshops and seminars presented by leading producers and consultants.

Rural Services Manager, Malcolm Buckby, says CSA has been inundated with enquiries since the 2010 event. "We have received an overwhelming amount of interest. The lamb industry is demanding more information on the cleanskin / fleece shedding breeds available, and we want to provide that source of information," he said.

The 2011 Symposium will provide an opportunity to gain a better insight to the cleanskin / lfeece shedding breeds in Australia today and the management and production of these breeds. "An integral part of our program will be the addition of question and answer sessions so that attendees leave with the information they need to begin or enhance their cleanskin / fleece shedding sheep enterprise," Mr Buckby said.

CSA has also incorporated an 'introduction' session whereby knowledgeable producers will present each breed for discussion to assist those new to the industry in identifying a breed that will best fit their location and purpose. Time has also been allocated for trade and animals displays and discussion amongst like-minded producers and industry representatives.

A range of other interesting topics will form the remainder of the program >> click here to download.

To highlight the commercial aspect of the event the Sale will remain as an integral part of the Symposium program and provide an opportunity for producers to acquire cleanskin / fleece shedding genetics. The Sale will be held on Friday 11th February at 2:00pm in the Sheep Pavilion, Adelaide Showground.

CSA invites all sheep producers and those wanting to learn more about the management and production of cleanskin / fleece shedding breeds to attend its Symposium. For registration forms and a full copy of the program visit the CSA website, www.cleanskinsheep.com.au. Registrations close Monday, 24th January 2011.

More information can be obtained from Cleanskin Sheep Australia on (08) 8210 5231 or email info@cleanskinsheep.com.au.

 

 

Read the latest editorial here:

>> Cleanskins draw 50 producers to field day (.pdf) 460KB
     published in the Farm Weekly, 03/03/2011, page 81

>> MLA bolster sheepmeat numbers (.pdf) 233KB
     Article courtesy of the Stock Journal

>> More meat from niche lamb (.pdf) 645KB
     published in the Stock Journal, 24/02/2011, page 7

>> CSA report - Stock & Land (.pdf) 1.18MB
     (Wiltidams are yards apart; Shedding demand; First DNA-proven Poll Wiltshire ram on show; and sale report)
      published in the Stock & Land,17/02/2011, page 17

>> Cleanskins sheep on display (.pdf) 2.07MB
       published in the Stock Journal, Cleanskin feature - 27/01/2011, page 46

>> New tools to educate shedding sheep on way (.pdf) 1.98MB
       published in the Stock Journal, Cleanskin feature - 27/01/2011, page 47)

>> Shedding sheep a breeze (.pdf) 1.04MB
     published in the Stock Journal, 14/01/2010, page 33

>> Cleanskins offer profitable alternative (.pdf) 616KB
       published in the Smart Farmer, November 2009, page 11
    
>> Shed wool, not profits (.pdf) 815KB
     published in the Stock Journal, 12/11/2009, page 41

>> Cleanskins plan big day out Down Under (.pdf) 404KB
     published in the Farm Weekly, 5/11/2009, page 76

>> Shedding sheep symposium at Adelaide (.jpeg) 49.1KB
     published in the Stock Journal, 5/11/2009, page 3

>> Farmers moving to clean sheep (.jpeg) 175KB
     published in the Courier, 2/11/2009, page 15

>> Droughtmaster buck big dry (.pdf) 1.4MB
      published in the Stock Journal, 14/05/2009, page 43