Sheep Keeping in Australia
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/sheep
NSW Department of Primary Industries
Website Offers very specific suggestions on topics such as: Sheep yards & management, Feeding
& nutrition, Health & Welfare, Breeding & selection.
http://www.ibisworld.com.au/industry/default.aspx?indid=16
( Offers summary reports but full data is behind a pay-wall)
Industry Analysis & Industry Trends
Australia is home to about 74 million sheep. Historically, the Sheep Farming industry's biggest
share of revenue has come from producing wool. While many farmers shifted their operations
from wool growing to meat production over the past five years, wool remains the industry's
number one source of revenue. As demand from Asian markets for premium wool products has
grown, the industry has benefited. High prices for superfine wool (18.5 micron and finer) helped
the industry perform particularly well in 2010-11, with revenue growing 14.7% over the 12
months. Overall, wool prices have recovered from depths of 2008-09 and helped boost the profit
margins of sheep farmers. Industry revenue is expected to grow at an annualised 5.1% over the
five years through 2013-14.
http://www.landlearnnsw.org.au/primary-industries/where-did-primary-industries-begin
History of sheep farming and agriculture in Australia Land Learn NSW seems to be mainly for
schools
Where did primary industries begin?
Before the arrival of settlers in 1788, Australian lands had not been used to raise livestock or
grow large-scale crops. However, these practices were widespread back in Europe, so when the
settlers arrived they brought agriculture with them. Australia’s climate was very different to what
the settlers were used to, so at first, growing anything at all was a challenge. Luckily they found
that sheep raised in Australia did very well, and that the sheep's wool was of a high quality.
Sheep farming was one of Australia’s first successful primary industries, and the first hint of how
much primary industries would help the new economy.
Wool
http://www.wool.com/
Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) is a not-for-profit company that invests in R&D and
marketing along the global supply chain for wool to enhance the profitability, international
competitiveness, sustainability and demand for Australian wool. AWI is the owner of The
Woolmark Company and the world-renowned Woolmark brand, which has been applied to more
than five billion products since its creation in 1964.
AWI invests in on-farm research and development (R&D) to increase the profitability and
sustainability of growing wool.
Table 1: Summary of wool production estimates and forecasts for Australia
Parameter
2011/12
2012/13
Change 2013/14 Third Change
Final
Final
y-o-y
Forecast
y-o-y
Estimate Estimate (%)
(%)
Opening sheep numbers
73.1
74.7
2.2%
73.9
-1.1%
(million head)
Sheep numbers shorn
76.4
78.8
3.1%
77.4
-1.8%
(million head)
Average cut per head
4.47
-0.2%
4.43
-0.8%
4.48
(kg/head)
Shorn wool production
342
352
2.9%
345
-2.0%
(mkg greasy)
Skins
http://www.saveouraussieicon.com/where-to-buy.html
Lists outlets are members of the Australian Sheepskin Association Inc. and manufacture and/or
sell genuine sheepskin products.
Consumers should beware of fake ugg boots. The dictionary definition of an "ugg boot" is "a
sheepskin boot with the wool on the inside". An ugg boot must be made of real sheepskin. Due to
the high cost of genuine sheepskin, one of the first warning bells will be a so called "ugg boot"
advertised at a very cheap price. Make sure you have the genuine article before purchasing.
Genuine sheepskin will outlast many synthetic products. Sheepskin is a natural product which
breathes, absorbs moisture and provides a warmth and comfort superior to any synthetics. (Most
synthetics become very smelly with wear). Real sheepskin has the wool tanned into the leather.
Fake sheepskin can easily be recognised - if you part the fibres lining the boot with your fingers
and there is a woven or knitted backing under the fibres it is NOT real sheepskin…read more…
http://ozwool.net/
Sheepskin rugs, throws & pillows, Medical care Sheepskins, Infant care, Yoga mats, seat covers,
many other ….
Meat
http://www.mla.com.au/Cattle-sheep-and-goat-industries/Industry-overview/Sheep
Meat and Livestock Australia Website - facts and statistics about all aspects of the meat and
livestock industry
Australia is one of the world's leading producers of lamb and mutton, the largest exporter of
mutton and live sheep, and second largest exporter of lamb. The Australian public are among the
biggest consumers of lamb in the world. The off-farm meat value of the Australian sheepmeat
industry is $3.9 billion.
National flock
The Australian national sheep flock is74.7 million head (*).
43,760 properties with sheep and lambs (*).
44.9 million breeding ewes one-year and older (*).
Major prime lamb production areas include the NSW Riverina and wheat-sheep zone, Murray
region and high rainfall areas in south-west Victoria and eastern SA.
Major sheep producing areas include south-west WA, south-west Victoria and southern NSW.
The sheepmeat industry accounts for 32% of all farms with agricultural activity …read more..
Lamb recipe:
Australians and New Zealanders love their lamb. The tasty, versatile It represents the colonial
beginnings of Australia and New Zealand. It represents the rural economy. The tasty, versatile
meat is eaten in a variety of ways from the traditional lamb roast to the more modern Moroccan
lamb sausage roll. Lamb has adorned family tables for decades and has become a special symbol.
It represents the colonial beginnings of Australia and New Zealand. It represents the rural
economy. And, as Australian and New Zealand cuisine move on from their humble beginnings,
we are taking lamb with us.
http://australianfood.about.com/od/meats/tp/Top5Lamb.htm
Marinated Lamb Backstrap
Lamb backstrap is a top grade cut of lamb that's perfect for marinating, barbecuing and grilling.
It's tender and full of flavour. In this recipe, lamb backstraps are marinated in Middle Eastern
herbs and spices and then barbecued to perfection. The lamb is accompanied by a light and
refreshing cucumber yogurt and lemon wedges. *You could also use any other simple chops such
as shoulder
Ingredients:
MARINADE
YOGHURT
1 Tbsp cumin seeds
3/4 cup natural yogurt
1 Tbsp smoked paprika
1/2 cucumber, peeled, deseeded &
chopped
2 Tbsp finely chopped garlic
1 Tbsp finely chopped coriander
(cilantro)
1 Tbsp finely chopped mint
1 Tbsp finely chopped flat leaf
parsley
1/2 lemon cut in half for serving
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 cup olive oil
600g lamb backstraps
Prep Time: 2 hours Cook Time: 10 minutes
Preparation:
1. Combine the marinade ingredients together in a large non-reactive bowl. Add the lamb
backstraps and mix well to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
2. Prepare the cucumber yogurt just before cooking the lamb. Combine yogurt, cucumber, mint,
lemon juice and salt together in a small bowl. Stir well and set aside.
3. Heat grill or barbecue on a high heat. Cook lamb backstraps on all sides until medium rare -about 8-10 minutes.
4. Transfer lamb to a plate and cover loosely with foil for 5 minutes. After this time slice the
lamb diagonally and then serve with cucumber yogurt and two lemon wedges.