The idea is to help farmers get their sheep and pastures into optimum condition, thus getting the most out of their livestock.

The project started at Hamilton, with the aim of it being adopted by wool producers all around Australia.

A new course will be beginning in spring, farmers are urged to enrol now for a chance to be involved.

The course involves farmers enrolling in the course, then being placed in a group with four or five other farmers.

Where possible these farmers are located close to other members of the group, so groups can travel together with a Lifetime Ewe Management facilitator to check out other people's properties and promote discussion between farmers.

Brochures and pamphlets are given to farmers explaining the condition of both pasture and sheep, allowing farmers to rectify any deficiencies they may have in any particular area.

All aspects of the course are carried out on the farmer's own property, there is no classroom work involved, just hands-on information that will help assess pasture and sheep quality.

The courses are subsidised, with just $350 a year getting six visits to the participant's farm from a Lifetime Ewe Management facilitator.

The statewide project operates throughout all the major sheep producing areas in Victoria, with 10 facilitators taking care of 25 groups of farmers.

The program has now been running for three years, after a pilot program that ran for two years proved a success.

The course is held over two years, with the first year mainly learning about the condition of sheep and pastures, while the second year is spent seeing what changes can be implemented to make a profit and get the best productivity from your own enterprise.

RIST are looking for people to contact them now, with only 25 groups available statewide due to funding restraints.

For further information or to register your interest in the program, please contact Lifetime Ewe Management Facilitator Geoffrey Saul on 0419328590 or contact the RIST office direct.