These sessions are designed for young shepherds starting their careers and for experienced farmers wanting to refresh their skills. This three-workshop series has a strong production focus and follows on from our previous Shepherd to Shareholder event, which focused on investment and equity growth.
Farming is changing fast. By 2035, around half of our 17,000 plus farmers will be over 65, and an estimated $150 billion worth of farm assets is expected to shift to the next generation. It is a massive generational change unlike anything the sector has seen before. To keep our industry strong, we need to make sure young farmers have the confidence and practical skills needed to thrive through this transition.
These workshops are about building the solid, practical skills you can use straight away, learning from people with years of real world experience, and connecting with other farmers to grow your support network. Each session gives you hands-on learning you can put into practice on farm, while also creating a space to meet others, share ideas, and build lasting connections.
They are the foundation for future sessions that will dive deeper into finance and business management
Workshop Two Overview
For many farmers, your working dog is the single most important tool on the farm. But how do you make sure you are getting the best from them from a nutritional and health perspective?
In this session you will learn about dietary requirements to support optimal condition and performance, along with how to assess overall health, conformation, and the basics of vaccination and worming programmes. You will also learn practical ways to reduce the risk of injury and long term damage to your dogs.
This not to be missed session is led by legendary working dog vet Martin Walshe of Hunterville Vets. Martin’s involvement in numerous farming businesses makes him well versed in the economics of getting it right when it comes to your working dogs.
Topics covered
- Key nutrition requirements for high performing working dogs
- Understanding energy needs during peak workload
- Recognising early signs of pain, lameness, and overuse injuries
- Building effective vaccination and parasite control plans
- Practical conformation checks to support soundness and longevity
- Strategies to reduce avoidable injuries during mustering and yard work
Registration
Registration is essential for catering purposes.
BBQ and drinks kindly provided by ANZ.