CSIRO
The CSIRO project, GRAZPLAN, has developed a suite of computer models that can help with farm management decisions.
GrassGro™ (pasture quality, quantity and stocking rate information), GrazFeed™ (feed requirements and production calculations) and MetAccess™ (weather predictions).
Tel: 1300 363 400, www.pi.csiro.au,
Horizon Agriculture
Tel: 02 9440 8088,
www.hzn.com.au
AgForce Queensland
Tel: 07 3236 3100
http://www.agforceqld.org.au
Australian Rangeland Society
Tel: 08 8357 3378
www.austrangesoc.com.au
Grassland Society of Southern Australia
Tel: 03 5622 0805
www.grasslands.org.au
Breed associations:
Australian Cashmere Growers AssociationLtd (ACGA)
President: Andrew James
Executive Officer: Carolyn Gould
Tel/Fax: 02 9629 2390
Email: cashmere@acga.asn.au
Boer Goat Breeders’ Association of Australia Ltd
c/- ABRI
University of New England
ARMIDALE NSW 2351
Tel: 02 6773 5177
www.boergoat.une.edu.au/
Dairy Goat Society of Australia Ltd
PO Box 9048
TRARALGON VIC 3844
Tel: 03 5176 0388
Email: dgsasec@bigpond.com.au
Mohair Australia Ltd
147 East Street,
PO Box 22
NARRANDERA NSW 2700
Tel: 02 6959 2069
www.mohair.org.au
Cashmere Connections Pty Ltd.
Avtar Singh
4 Station Street,
BACCHUS MARSH VICTORIA 3340
Tel: 03 5367 4222
Email: avtar_singh@optusnet.com.au
Credible sources of disease information include:
• Private veterinarians and consultants.
• State departments of agriculture and other government bodies.
• The Australian Sheep Veterinarians (ASV) – a special-interest group from the Australian Veterinarian Association. This group is the peak body for advice on small ruminant health in Australia, and has members who are willing to advise on goat health and management issues.
Contact details are as follows: 2404 Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains, QLD 4113. Ph: 07 34231799. E-mail:aacv@ava.com.au
Lists of state and national codes of practice are available on websites. The codes of practice should be followed as part of normal goat husbandry and welfare management. See article Goat Industry obligations.
Australian Animal Health www.aahc.com.au
References
Code of Practice for AWEX Quality System – Preparation of Australian Wool Clips. 2004. Australian Wool Exchange Limited (AWEX). Accessible as a download from the AWEX website:
www.awex.com.au/Corporate/Industry_Services /File/Code_of_Practice_2004.pdf
Diseases of Livestock. Hungerford, T.G. 1990. McGraw-Hill. Ninth edition.
Livestock Handling and Transport. 2000. Grandin, T. Bloomsbury.
Meat Goats Breeding, Production and Marketing. Vincent, B. 2005. Land Links.
AgSkills Goats Home Study Program. 1988. New South Wales Agriculture and Fisheries. Agriculture College Tocal. Useful explanation of basic husbandry practices. Ideal for new farmers.
Natural Goat and Alpaca Care. Colby, P. 2000. Landlinks Press. Second edition.
Courses and workshops
Whole Farm Planning is offered as part of the National Agricultural Training Package.
See your local regional training organisation for details about Whole Farm Planning courses, eg TAFE colleges and vocational training courses.
Low Stress Stockhandling School (www.lss.net.au)
Websites
NSW Department of Primary Industry www.dpi.nsw.gov.au
Department of Primary Industries, Victoria www.dpi.vic.gov.au
South Australia Research & Development Institute www.sardi.sa.gov.au
Primary Industries and Resources South Australia www.pir.sa.gov.au
Department of Primary Industries, Water & Environment, Tasmania www.dpiwe.tas.gov.au
Department of Agriculture Western Australia www.agric.wa.gov.au
Queensland Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries www.dpi.qld.gov.au
Northern Territory Department of Business Industry and Resource Development www.dpi.nt.gov.au
Google Earth (maps and satellite images) www.googleearth.com
CSIRO Centre for Arid Zone Research www.cazr.csiro.au
New tools
Enterprise Comparison Calculator – a spreadsheet for comparing the economic and financial returns of goat, Damara, Merino and cattle enterprises on pastoral stations in Western Australia. This program has been designed to assist producers who are considering changing enterprises on their properties. To access this spreadsheet contact the Department of Agriculture Western Australia, Rangelands Program.
