Quality Dorpers All Year Round - Westbrook QLD

The effects of the Queensland drought really hit home for John and Anne Waters in 2007 when they had to sell off their cattle on their 43 acre property west of Toowoomba.  
They still wanted to keep running sheep on their Darling Downs property, but decided to focus on White Dorper sheep for their hardiness. The lack of rainfall made it hard to grow feed and the rising costs of grain had made hand feeding unviable.  
After seeing a Fodder Solutions display at the Toowoomba Royal Show, John and Anne researched it and decided that it was the most workable solution.  “Buying land in this area was not an option, having a paddock in a box was like buying more acreage, making intensive farming a reality,” John said. Even though they did not have the amount of stock to suit, they decided on the 240 kg/day system, which meant they could increase their flock.  
After receiving their Fodder Solutions system in July 2008 they have increased to 110 head and hope to get to over 200 head in the near future.   “Last year we were feeding pellets to the ewes after lambing as they were not holding condition,” John said.  
Now with Fodder they no longer need expensive grains, and the condition on them has improved drastically since making the switch to Fodder.  Anne said the flock also had an increase in twin lambing rates. The ease of using the system was a draw card.  “It is actually easier to feed the fodder out than pelleted feeds,” Anne said. 
Water usage was also a factor.   “Due to the drought, even the bores in the area were dropping in levels, the Fodder Solutions system uses much less water that producing improved pastures and the run off to the vegetable patch means even less watering,” Anne said.
The Fodder solutions systems low maintenance is well suited to the Waters family’s operation.  “Working with local grain producers and the team at Fodder Solutions enables us to buy bulk grain to our silo at a much reduced rate,” John said.  
“The Fodder Solution team is behind us every step of the way, six months later we still communicate regularly.”  What does the future now hold for the Waters’ family?  “We hope to become a leading force in quality White Dorper sheep, both stud stock and producing quality meat,” John said. “Thanks to Fodder Solutions this can happen.”