A new online hub, new website and the launch of the new android App highlight the latest opportunities for the popular Lifetime Ewe Management course (LTEM).
Managed by Rural Industries Skill Training (RIST) and funded by Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), LTEM is a best management course for wool producers.
It assists in the proactive nutritional management of ewes throughout the reproduction cycle to maximise productivity.
More than 3500 woolgrowers have already taken part in the course and on average, lift weaning rates by 7-8% and drop ewe mortality by up to 15% as a result.
Peter and Lisa McCrabb run a 8000 head self-replacing Merino ewe operation located in the 300mm annual rainfall region of Booroorban, south west of Hay in NSW.
They undertook LTEM with trainer Geoff Duddy in 2016 and believe it is responsible for the single biggest gain in reproductive performance in their enterprise, with increased conception rates and weaning percentages being realised.
Peter says “pre-LTEM, we were typically weaning about 100% lambs / ewes joined but in following LTEM principles we have since achieved rates of 114% and 127% lambs weaned / ewes joined. This has made a big difference in our enterprise.”
AWI has committed to subsidising 1500 LTEM graduates by June 2019, with more than 900 producers utilising this opportunity to date. LTEM groups are springing up across the country.
To find a trainer and a group near you, head to the new LTEM page.
Having launched the new version of the free iPhone app last year, the android version is now available free from the Google Play Store. The LTEM smartphone app uses cloud technology to store and aggregate paddock, mob and supplement data for multiple users for the same account. Once an account is created, all data can be managed at a personalised central hub at www.ltem.com.au.