StockPlan^® is a suite of computer decision support tools and a workshop that enable wool growers to explore and make informative and timely decisions about feeding and/or destocking options entering, during or emerging from drought.

StockPlan^® helps to answer questions such as:

• How much will it cost to feed my stock for a specified time? 
• How will my decision affect my flock and financial position this year? And next year? 
• Is it better to buy or breed in the recovery phase?

The main aim of the decision tools is to assist wool growers make management decisions that minimise the environmental and financial impacts of drought. Sound management decisions early in the drought period and during drought can prevent severe financial and environmental losses.

The StockPlan^® package assists wool growers to:

• improve their drought management skills;
• lower the risk of degrading pastures;
• lower the risk of financial losses;
• encourage proactive decision making; and
• investigate the production and financial implications of their decisions for their farm business.

About the StockPlan^® tool

StockPlan^® is simple to use and flexible in its input and output options. Three decision tools are integrated into one package:

1. Drought Pack

Drought Pack, an energy-based model (MJ ME/kg fed), assesses the cost of feeding and determines the break-even price for specific animal classes.

2. Feed Sell Agist (FSA) Pack

FSA Pack (feed, sell or agist) is designed to evaluate the cost of the various options for a specific group of livestock rather than a whole farm analysis.  FSA Pack allows the user to specify up to four different drought lengths, and provides cash cost estimates and "bottom line" financial estimates.  You may decide to only use one or all of the decision tools depending your individual circumstances.

3. Im Pack

This decision tool uses a static modelling approach to assess the structure of the flock over a a 10-year period.  The Im Pack decision tool allows users to explore a wide range of options. For example, selling off parts of the flock and recovering stock numbers over the following years.

Other features:

• Inclusion of financial considerations
• Short to medium term planning assistance
• 'What if' scenarios to run risk assessments

The philosophy behind these decision support tools is to foster drought preparedness.

Where to get your copy

StockPlan^® is available from the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Trained StockPlan^® facilitators are available to deliver StockPlan^® to wool growers in most states of Australia.

The StockPlan^® Producer manual and home study guide plus the three decision support tools (Drought Pack, FSA Pack and Im Pack) and Resource CD are available for $85 from Tocal Bookshop.  Contact Keran Dillon-Richards on (02) 4939 8867.

Contact:
Mr Greg Meaker
NSW Department of Primary Industries
Tel: (02) 4828 6600
Email: greg.meaker@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Workshops

StockPlan^® workshops are available to wool growers, other livestock producers and agribusinesses. The two day course is a detailed drought management planning exercise which develops planning of grazing businesses for effective response to drought.

Past workshops have been highly successful. Since 2002, 1200 participants - approximately 1,000 farms - have attended workshops in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.

For further details and workshop registration, visit the StockPlan^® website.

Testimonials

• StockPlan® testimonials