Free On-Farm Genetics & eID Workshop for KI Sheep Producers

The workshop will be held at Ella Matta Pastoral on Friday 13 February 2026 and is tailored specifically to Kangaroo Island sheep production systems. The day will combine short classroom-style sessions with hands-on demonstrations in the yards, using live animals to link genetic data with real-world performance.

Genetics specialist James Meckiff (JM Livestock) will lead the workshop, guiding producers through how to use Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) and selection indexes to select rams and make better breeding decisions suited to Kangaroo Island conditions.

“Using ASBVs and a selection of young rams from Ella Matta, we will look at what the numbers mean and what they represent to a sheep enterprise,” Jim said.

“We’ll take a close look at the link between genetics, production, efficiency and overall carbon footprint on farm enterprises, and the tools producers have available to better understand greenhouse gas emissions.

“This is about beginning to benchmark enterprises for genetics, production and emissions, and identifying where refinements can be made to improve efficiency and reduce emissions on farm.”

A live animal demonstration at Ella Matta Stud will allow producers to compare sheep with different ASBVs and indexes in the yards, linking visual assessment directly back to breeding data and enterprise goals.

The workshop will also feature an eID in practice session delivered by Jonathan England and Tim Prance, as part of a PIRSA and MLA project delivered through Agriculture Kangaroo Island. This session will demonstrate how eID can be used on farm to record data, track animal performance and support better breeding and management decisions.

Ella Matta Pastoral Manager Jamie Heinrich said eID's are mandatory now, so farmers might as well make the most of them.

“We have been using eID in our stud for many years and I couldn't imagine doing all the recording we do without them,” Jamie said. 

"It's only been recently that we have started using eID in our commercial sheep. We are still finding our way with what makes sense to get the best value for effort, while keeping it as simple and easy as possible."

Jamie said ASBVs and performance recording have been core to his family’s stud for well over 25 years.

“It's hard to improve something without measuring it, and ASBVs take the management/environmental influences out of all our records so we can focus in on the genetics,” Jamie said.

"With today’s high costs and market prices, making the most out of every sheep is as important as ever, and the best benchmarked genetics is how to do that."

A carbon and emissions perspective will be embedded throughout the day by Jim Meckiff, with Kangaroo Island Landscape Board Carbon Outreach Officer Alex Comino also available as point of contact for primary producers on KI who are interested to learn about carbon farming.

Workshop details

📅 Friday 13 February 2026
🕘 9.00 am – 3.00 pm
📍 Ella Matta Pastoral, Kangaroo Island
☕ Morning tea and lunch provided
💲 Free to attend

To RSVP or for further information, please contact:

Supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.

The  eID workshops are delivered with support from the Department of Primary Industries and Resources.

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

James (Jim) Meckiff – JM Livestock

James Meckiff is a genetics and sheep production specialist with more than 20 years’ experience in agribusiness and extension. Based in Cootamundra, NSW, he was formerly a NSW DPI Sheep & Wool Officer and holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics from the University of New England. Jim specialises in breeding and genetics, reproduction, nutrition and animal health, and regularly delivers industry programs including Lifetime Ewe Management, Weaners for Profit and Bred Well Fed Well.

Tim Prance

Tim Prance has more than 40 years’ experience in farm consulting, specialising in pasture production and management, grazing systems and soil, plant and animal nutrition across South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania. He has delivered PROGRAZE® workshops to more than 500 landholders, managed Lifetime Ewe Management groups, and undertaken advanced study in ruminant nutrition at Lincoln University in New Zealand. 

Jonathan England

Jonathan England is a recognised leader in Australian sheep production systems. He spent nine years with the Department of Agriculture Western Australia, where he played a key role in the development of Lifetime Ewe Management and led research into grazing crops and sheep meat value chains. Jonathan now farms and provides on-farm consulting services across Australia, managing AgInnovate’s livestock and farm data technology implementation program, supporting producers to adopt eID and digital tools.