791-038 Sheep And Fibre Production

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Objectives:

The objective of this subject is to enable students to:

• develop management plans for the husbandry of sheep and goats, based on an understanding of their nutrition, growth, reproduction, health and handling;

• analyse the management and economic outcomes from choosing particular sheep or goat enterprises, breeding plans and product marketing strategies;

• gain an overview of the distribution of the industries, their structures and organisations, and the possible marketing procedures for meats and fibres from sheep and goats.

Content:

The Australian sheep and goat industries, their location, organisational structure and nature of production alternatives available, their interaction with other areas of primary production. Feeding management of sheep and goats, seasonal variations in quality and quantity of food, nutritional requirements and formulation of supplementary rations for various classes of stock. The influence of feeding strategies on meat and fibre growth, and on health and reproductive performance. Reproduction and breeding strategies in commercial flocks, the scope and nature of artificial manipulation possibilities to improve reproductive performance. The impact of disease on flock performance, evaluation of alternative flock health programs, preventative and therapeutic. Evaluation of sheep/goat handling technology, design of effective and efficient yards and sheds. Meat and fibre harvesting, product handling and marketing. Economic, management and environmental criteria for choosing sheep/goat enterprises.

Assessment:

Prescribed Texts:

• Cottle, D J (1991), Australian Sheep and Wool Handbook, Melbourne: Inkata.