Stories from Local Livestock Producers in South Australia

Livestock SA

31 Jul 202402:19

Summary

TLDRBen and Krie Hinrich, farmers from Black Springs, manage an 800-hectare farm with a focus on Australian White stud sheep and their 'Wonderbar Lamb' brand. They employ technology, such as EIDs and auto-drafters, to streamline processes, ensure precise vaccine administration, and identify top producers through preg scanning. This approach enhances efficiency and consumer confidence in their high-quality, ethically raised lamb products.

Takeaways

👨‍🌾 Ben and Krie Hinrich are farmers from Black Springs who run a mixed farming operation.
🐑 They manage Manafield Australian Whites and Wonderbar Lamb, a paddock-to-plate branded lamb enterprise.
🌾 Their farming operation includes approximately 800 hectares of crops, which consist of legumes, cereals, and export hay.
🌱 They also have sown pastures for summer feed, supporting their livestock's nutritional needs.
🐄 They graze 200-250 head of Australian White stud sheep, with plans to increase this number annually.
💰 They have around 500 commercial sheep, from which they breed the Wonderbar Lamb.
📈 The Wonderbar Lamb brand aims to provide consumers with confidence in the quality and ethical raising of their lamb products.
🔧 Technology plays a significant role in their farming practices, with the introduction of EIDs (Electronic Identification Devices).
💉 Auto drafters and EIDs help in tracking vaccinations and ensuring animals receive them at the right time, reducing unnecessary handling.
📊 Technology also aids in identifying top-producing sheep, which can improve the efficiency of their flock through selective breeding.
🐑 The use of preg scanning technology helps in identifying ewes that consistently produce lambs or twins, enhancing the overall productivity of the flock.

Q & A

Who are Ben and Krie Hinrichs?
-Ben and Krie Hinrichs are mixed farmers from Black Springs, Australia, specializing in Australian White stud sheep and a paddock-to-plate branded lamb enterprise called Wonderbar Lamb.
What type of farming operation do the Hinrichs run?
-The Hinrichs run a mixed farming operation that includes cropping approximately 800 hectares of legumes, cereals, and export hay, as well as grazing hills for their Australian White stud sheep and commercial lambs.
What is the goal of the Wonderbar Lamb enterprise?
-The goal of the Wonderbar Lamb enterprise is to provide a high-quality, paddock-to-plate lamb product that is raised to high standards, ensuring consumer confidence in the quality of the product.
How many Australian White stud sheep do the Hinrichs currently have?
-The Hinrichs currently have 200 Australian White stud sheep, with the aim to increase this number year by year.
What is the significance of the 'blueprint' mentioned in the transcript?
-The 'blueprint' likely refers to the business model or operational strategy of the Wonderbar Lamb enterprise, which helps to ensure that the lambs are raised to high standards and that consumers have confidence in the product.
How has technology impacted the Hinrichs' farming practices?
-Technology has had an exciting impact on the Hinrichs' farming practices, allowing for the introduction of EIDs (Electronic Identification Devices) and auto drafters, which streamline processes and reduce the need for manual handling of animals.
What benefits do EIDs provide in managing livestock?
-EIDs provide benefits such as tracking individual animals, recording vaccination batches and dates, and ensuring that each animal receives the necessary care at the appropriate time.
What is an auto drafter and how does it help in livestock management?
-An auto drafter is a device that helps in sorting and managing livestock based on specific criteria, such as ear tags, allowing for efficient identification of top producers and streamlined management of the flock.
How does the use of technology help in identifying top-producing sheep?
-Technology, such as preg scanning, helps in identifying top-producing sheep by determining which ewes are most likely to get in lamb or have twins, leading to a more efficient flock.
What is the importance of culling less productive animals from the flock?
-Culling less productive animals is important for maintaining a high-performing flock, ensuring that resources are focused on animals that contribute most to the overall productivity and efficiency of the operation.
How does the Hinrichs' approach to farming reflect modern agricultural practices?
-The Hinrichs' approach reflects modern agricultural practices by integrating technology, data tracking, and selective breeding to optimize the health, productivity, and quality of their livestock and crops.

Outlines

00:00

🌾 Farming Life and Branding at Black Springs

Ben and Krie Hinrich, farmers from Black Springs, discuss their farming operations which include Australian white stud sheep and a paddock-to-plate lamb brand called Wonderbar. They manage about 800 hectares of crops, including legumes, cereals, and export hay, as well as summer feed through sown pastures. The couple aims to increase their Australian white stud sheep population annually. They also have a commercial flock of about 500 sheep, bred from the Wonderbar lamb, emphasizing the importance of consumer confidence in the quality of their product, raised to high standards.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Farmers

Farmers are individuals engaged in agricultural practices, such as cultivating crops or raising livestock. In the video's context, Ben and Krie Hinrich are farmers who manage a mixed farming operation in Black Springs. Their role is central to the video's theme of sustainable and efficient farming practices.

💡Manafield Australian Whites

Manafield Australian Whites refer to a breed of sheep that the farmers raise. This breed is known for its wool and meat production and is integral to the farmers' business model, showcasing the diversity of livestock management in the video.

💡Paddock to Plate

Paddock to Plate is a term used to describe the process of producing food from the farm (paddock) to the consumer's plate. It emphasizes transparency and quality in food production, which is a key message in the video about the farmers' commitment to high standards.

💡Branded Lamb Enterprise

A branded lamb enterprise, such as Wonderbar Lamb mentioned in the script, is a business that markets its lamb products under a specific brand name. This branding is part of the farmers' strategy to create consumer confidence and differentiate their products in the market.

💡Cropping

Cropping refers to the practice of growing crops on the land. The farmers mention that they crop about 800 hectares, which includes legumes and cereals, highlighting the importance of crop diversity in their farming operations.

💡Legumes

Legumes are a family of plants that includes beans, peas, and lentils. They are an important part of the farmers' crop rotation strategy, as they can improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen, which is a key aspect of sustainable farming practices.

💡Cereals

Cereals are grasses cultivated for their edible grains, such as wheat, rice, and corn. The mention of cereals in the script indicates that the farmers grow these staple crops, which are a significant part of their agricultural output.

💡Export Hay

Export hay refers to hay that is produced for sale in international markets. The farmers' mention of export hay indicates that they engage in international trade, showcasing the global reach of their farming business.

💡Australian White Stud

The Australian White Stud likely refers to a breeding program for Australian White sheep, aiming to improve the breed's characteristics. The farmers' goal to increase their stud size year by year reflects their commitment to genetic improvement and quality livestock.

💡EID (Electronic Identification)

EID technology involves the use of electronic tags to track and manage livestock. The farmers have introduced EIDs to improve processes such as vaccination tracking, which reduces handling and stress for the animals, reflecting the video's theme of technological advancements in farming.

💡Auto Drafters

Auto drafters are automated systems used to sort livestock based on specific criteria. The farmers use auto drafters to streamline their management practices, such as identifying top producers through pregnancy scanning, which contributes to the efficiency and productivity of their flock.

💡Preg Scanning

Preg scanning is a process used to determine the pregnancy status of female livestock. The farmers use technology for preg scanning to identify productive ewes, which helps them manage their flock more effectively and maintain a focus on high-performing animals.

💡Consumer Confidence

Consumer confidence refers to the trust and assurance that consumers have in the products they purchase. The video emphasizes the importance of this confidence through the farmers' commitment to high standards and transparency in their farming practices.

Highlights

Ben and Krie Hinrich are mixed farmers from Black Springs, running a Manafield Australian Whites and Wonderbar Lamb enterprise.

They manage approximately 800 hectares of crops, including legumes, cereals, and export hay.

The farm also has a summer feed program with sown lucerne for grazing.

There are 250 head of Australian White stud sheep, with plans to increase the number annually.

They breed about 500 commercial sheep from the Wonderbar lamb brand.

The blueprint helps farmers tell their story and build consumer confidence in the quality of their products.

Technology plays an exciting role in their farming practices, with the introduction of EIDs for better management.

Auto drafters have been set up to track vaccine batches and dates for each animal, reducing handling.

Animals are treated based on need rather than routine, improving overall health and management.

Technology allows for the identification of top producers through preg scanning and other methods.

Efficient flock management is achieved by identifying ewes that consistently produce lambs or twins.

The goal is to produce a more efficient flock by culling animals that do not carry lambs to term.

The Hinrichs aim to produce top-class lamb products raised to high standards.

Consumer confidence is a priority, ensuring they receive a quality product.

Farming practices are adapted to meet the needs of the animals for optimal health and productivity.

The use of technology has opened up new avenues for efficient and effective farm management.

The integration of technology and traditional farming methods leads to a more sustainable and productive operation.