SPA News

In the heart of Western Australia’s south west mixed-farming country, Rhodes Pastoral has taken a deliberate, long-term approach to building a resilient sheep enterprise. Farm Manager Michael Wright explains how the 15,378-hectare operation built feedlot, finishing pens, invested in on-farm water security, and focused on producing high-quality lamb. Genetics have underpinned this plan, with Rhodes Pastoral breeding its own Merino rams and operating a registered White Suffolk

Sheep Producers Australia attended the National Farmers’ Federation’s AgXchange 2025 on the Gold Coast, which brought together hundreds of producers, industry leaders, and policymakers to explore the future of Australian agriculture.

For the first time, recently, teams of Merinos from across Australia were benchmarked side-by-side in a single commercial setting as part of the recent Australian Merino Production Trial 2025-2027.

By Lamb-scape columnist, rural counsellor and sheep producer Louise O'Neill I often get asked how to manage stress and overwhelm in a...