Jim Meckiff, of Wagga Wagga, and Sally Martin, of Young, are working together to help sheep producers improve their flock’s performance to lift profitability.
Stud and commercial sheep and wool producers are set to benefit from a business alliance between two of the industry’s most experienced consultants, Sally Martin and Jim Meckiff.
Sally Martin Consulting and JM Livestock will be working together to help sheep producers improve their flock’s performance to ultimately be more profitable.
The two businesses will be delivering industry specific training programs and workshops in addition to helping producers use electronic identification technology for data collection and flock management, and incorporating genetic and genomic tools, such as DNA testing and flock profile on a one-on-one basis.
Sally, of Young, and Jim, of Wagga Wagga, have a thorough understanding of genetic evaluation systems and flock selection programs to improve the performance of stud and commercial flocks.
The pair boasts more than 50 years combined experience working and servicing the sheep industry both nationally and overseas.
In the past they have collaborated on industry related projects, programs and extension services, and have a strong desire to deliver quality, fact-based independent advice to livestock producers.
Sheep and wool producers will be able to access their expertise on breeding program design, data collection, analysis, interpretation and management, integration of DNA technologies, nutrition and the use of supplementation in grazing production systems.
Both Sally and Jim have extensive practical experience in the use of electronic identification and genetic technologies.
“We understand the opportunities this technology presents to sheep producers who want to measure and manage their flocks to their potential rather than just performing to the average,’’ Sally said.
“Our approach is flexible to be able to work with individual farm businesses who have different goals, time frames and attitudes to adoption and willingness to integrate ideas to optimise their sheep enterprise.’’
Jim has extensive experience in self-replacing flocks, both Merino and maternal breeds.
“I have a particular interest in reproduction management to optimise the number of lambs conceived and then weaning those live lambs,’’ he said.
“From conception to scanning, to lambing and weaning, getting each part right is critical to the success of a modern sheep enterprise.’’
Sally Martin Consulting and JM Livestock can deliver industry specific training programs and workshops, including Lifetime Ewe Management, Prograze, Using eID Technology, Genomic Flock Profile and RamSelect.
They can assist producers to learn about using eID for data collection and flock management, livestock specific software systems, genomic flock profiles, cost of production, lamb survival and objective carcase measurement.
Both work closely with youth in agriculture – Sally through her involvement with Charles Sturt University and the Peter Westblade Scholarship, and Jim with students at the University of New England.
“We are excited to engage and work with the next generation of agricultural youth, providing them with opportunities to be involved and gain hands on practical experience,’’ Sally said.