Tour 1: Cobram
This tour will take delegates across the border to Cobram, Victoria, to tour the JBS processing plant, the Corowa Chocolate and Whisky Factory and Cofield Wines.
The JBS Cobram Processing facility is located on the world famous Murray River and processes up to 3600 head of grass-fed and grain-fed lambs, as well as hogget, mutton and goats a day.
As part of the trip, delegates will visit the Corowa Whisky and Chocolate Factory, set-up by former farmers, the Druce family.
The trip will conclude with a visit to Cofield Wines, Rutherglen, Vic, home of the Cofield family. Cofields specialise in sparkling wines, including a sparkling red, as well as local reds, whites, and fortified varieties.
Tour 2: Northern
The second tour will allow delegates to explore new and innovative ways that two local sheep producers have used to address labour issues to enable them to stay in the sheep industry. Several guest presenters will also discuss local projects.
The day will be full of practical tips and tricks, including shed and yard design ideas, vaccination and drenching techniques and tips for the novice shearer or for crutching.
On the way back to Albury the tour will stop at a local Poll Dorset breeder who also runs a captive breeding program for Bush Stone-Curlews, before a refreshment stop at the iconic Kinross Woolshed Hotel.
Tour 3: Greta East
The third and final tour will be to Greta East, Vic, to visit Northgate Park, south-east of Glenrowan, in northeast Vic, with hosts Jason Trompf and Hannah Marriott.
The tour will be full of practical tips on how to manage a high productivity sheep system that aims to drive pasture production and utilisation, while targeting feed resources and genetics to optimise animal production.
Those visiting Northgate Park in the morning will then progress onto the famous Brown Brothers vineyard and cellar door at Milawa, Vic, for lunch and refreshments.
The tours are offered at $30 per person, with lunch provided. Registration is essential. For more information on pre-conference tours and to book, click here.
