AWI EXTENSION TAS
AWI Extension TAS is Australian Wool Innovation’s key investment in extension and communication for the Tasmanian sheep and wool industries.
Its mission is to deliver best-practice information and extension, and facilitate ongoing change towards more profitable and sustainable sheep and wool businesses in Tasmania.
Its mission is to deliver best-practice information and extension, and facilitate ongoing change towards more profitable and sustainable sheep and wool businesses in Tasmania.
AWI Extension TAS delivers information via e-newsletters, hardcopy publications, workshops, field days, webinars, and online content, and is a continuation of the highly-successful AWI Sheep Connect Tasmania program that engaged with more than 4,500 sheep and wool growers during 2009–2025.
Stay up-to-date with the latest Tasmanian sheep and wool industry events and information by subscribing to our popular e-newsletters that go to more than 600 Tasmanian sheep and wool growers.
Stay up-to-date with the latest Tasmanian sheep and wool industry events and information by subscribing to our popular e-newsletters that go to more than 600 Tasmanian sheep and wool growers.
Recent Newsletters
Newsletters
From complexity to clarity with data-driven decision making
Data is a powerful tool for scaling a business — but only when it is integrated into a strategic, actionable workflow. By moving away from collecting ‘useless’ data and creating a strategic and actionable work flow based on meaningful measurement, Will Bignell, Bothwell, Tasmania has built a “big simple system” that rewards discipline, efficiency and informed decision-making.
Newsletters
Parvovirus a real risk for Tasmanian working dogs
Parvovirus infection has been reported in dogs in northern Tasmania and has already resulted in the death of at least one valuable young working dog. Dr Bruce Jackson, consulting veterinarian, says producers should not underestimate the seriousness of the disease.
“Parvovirus is one of the ‘big three’ killer diseases of dogs, along with distemper and canine infectious hepatitis,” Bruce explained.
Newsletters
Beyond the ram release: managing the joining window for better conception rates
For many woolgrowers, joining starts the day the rams go out, but a targeting better scanning results starts well before the rams are released. But reproductive performance is influenced well before — and well after — that point. If you are aiming for stronger scanning results, management during the four weeks leading up to joining, and during the joining period itself, is critical.
Newsletters
Beware the lure of the long-acting drench
Long-acting drenches can be powerful tools for parasite control, but they can greatly speed up the development of drench resistance. By understanding how prolonged exposure to treatments selects for resistant worms, and by pairing products with primer and exit treatments or using short-acting and combination options, producers can keep drenches working effectively for longer.
Newsletters
Beating drench resistance: it’s a matter of management
Effective worm control underpins profitable wool production — yet drench resistance is eroding the performance of many commonly used drenches. Recent data indicates resistance is widespread across Tasmania and growing. Consulting veterinarian, Dr Bruce Jackson, says with the right testing and management woolgrowers can slow its progression and maintain drench efficacy in their flocks.
Newsletters
Best-practice barber’s pole worm control in sheep
The level of worm infection appears to be increasing in Australian sheep flocks. This problem is compounded by common sheep worms developing resistance to drenches. Fortunately, dramatic improvements in productivity and welfare of sheep can be rapidly gained using genetic selection, monitoring, vaccination, drench testing, pasture rotation, feed supplementation and careful flock management.
Newsletters
Pre-joining management the key to reducing risk of Border disease
Border disease virus has recently been confirmed in Tasmania, following the investigation of a large composite ewe flock that experienced abortions, high lamb losses and the birth of multiple ‘hairy shaker’ lambs.
Newsletters
Getting to know your Chairman
George Millington has been a member of the AWI Board since 2023 and is well known across the industry as the owner and manager of Collinsville Merino Stud in South Australia. First and foremost a woolgrower, George brings a strong understanding of the commercial realities of running a modern Merino enterprise.
Resources
AWI Extension TAS has a comprehensive range of more than 80 guides, fact sheets, checklists, online content, and other resources that support you and your business.
Topics include feed budgeting & nutrition, lamb marking & pain relief, weaner management, condition scoring, worms, flies & lice, footrot, sheep handling equipment, shearing sheds & yards, managing pest animals, genetics, breeding & selection, succession planning, drought & dry conditions, pasture, water, farm business management, and more.
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