Newsletter with major benefits for sheep and beef farmers
Press release
September 2008
Essential information, advice and support for sheep and beef farmers are on offer from leading farm consultancy the Mackinnon Project.
Hundreds of farms across Australia are already signed up to the project’s monthly newsletter and discounted on-farm consultancy service, so anyone not wanting to miss out is encouraged to subscribe now.
The Mackinnon Project, based at the Faculty of Veterinary Science at Werribee, is a self-funded “whole farm” consultancy, which looks at the every aspect of modern beef, prime lamb and wool farming, from the business side of operating a farm to the management of pastures and stock.
It has 25 years’ experience in the field of sheep and beef farming and a roster of experts that includes veterinarians, agronomists and specialists in farm economics.
They all contribute to the newsletter, which contains two features on topical issues and long-term strategic planning for farms as well as updates on the latest research.
Recent articles have looked at “Investing in Agricultural Land”, filling the winter feed gap and the relative profitability of Merino and dual purpose enterprises.
Agricultural consultant Lisa Warn offered some other examples.
“A lot of our clients are in areas that have been affected by successive droughts so we offer advice on what to do. Should you sell some stock? How do you prevent the farm from becoming too badly affected?” she said.
“The price of fertiliser has doubled in the past year and looks like it will treble next year so we look at whether you should keep using it and ask what else could you do.
“Also, at the end of every newsletter there are management reminders for the month ahead, such as whether it is time to carry out vaccinations or drenching.”
Farmers can subscribe to the monthly newsletter for $120 plus GST per annum or pay $240 plus GST per annum for the additional consultancy service.
This allows clients to call the project’s experts to discuss any problems or issues and gives them 20% off the hourly rate for on-farm visits and Mackinnon’s regular seminars. Students can subscribe to the newsletter for $30 plus GST per annum.
The project has a regularly updated website and offers a monthly e-bulletin to farmers informing them of the release date of the newsletter and any forthcoming seminars or events. It also contains useful management reminders, information on products distributed by Mackinnon and industry alerts.
To find out more and to subscribe, visit the project’s website at www.mackinnonproject.com.au or call Pam Leslie on (03) 9731 2225.
For further information please contact the Marketing Manager, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Tel: 8344 7844 or email: vet-communications@unimelb.edu.au