Called The Shepherd, the solar powered feeder has a programmable timer and sensor, with a buzzer alarm sounding to alert the sheep when the feeding period has begun. Mr Dunn of “Thunder Valley”, runs a 1000 head lamb feedlot and a flock of Australian Whites with a cattle and cropping operation.

His design of the automated sheep feeder is in the final stages of development following trials of a prototype with feeding a maintenance ration to ewes and lambs this season. Mr Dunn has plans to refine the design with feedback from sheep producers at the Henty Machinery Field Days.

“I would like to get the feeders out to a few farms, obtain feedback and do the modifications before they are commercially released,’’ he said.

“The Shepherd is ideal for all those people with full-time jobs off-farm or busy work schedules.”