Increasing number of lambs weaned / ewe unit
| Project start date: | 01 January 2021 |
| Project end date: | 20 October 2024 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Sheep, Lamb |
| Relevant regions: | Western Australia |
| Site location: | Mid-west Western Australia |
Summary
This Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) project was undertaken to address high lamb losses in Western Australian (WA) Merino enterprises, as a recent study in WA discovered that maiden Merino ewes experienced an average lamb loss of 29% between scanning and marking, with losses ranging from 20% to 53% across different flocks (Jacobson & Clune, 2021). These results were supported by an earlier study by Curnow & Roberts (2018) who stated up to 28% of lambs are lost between scanning and marking. The aim of this PDS was to demonstrate whether improved ewe nutrition in late pregnancy could increase lamb survival and productivity, particularly in the challenging conditions of WA’s Midwest region.
Four demonstration sites were established across the region. Over three years, participating producers implemented key practices including pregnancy scanning for litter size and foetal age, monitoring ewe body condition scores (BCS), and using feed testing to develop tailored feeding strategies. Electronic identification (eID) was used to track performance data such as lamb marking rates, fleece weights, and feed inputs.
The results showed that three of the four sites increased lamb survival after scanning by an average of 9%, with lambs marked per ewe joined increasing by 9% to 30%. These improvements were linked to better ewe condition and targeted feeding. Sites using more intensive management saw the highest gains in profitability.
This project demonstrated that focusing on a small set of practical, easy-to-adopt management practices can lead to measurable improvements in lamb survival, ewe productivity, and farm profitability, benefiting producers across WA’s sheep industry.
Objectives
By October 2024, in the Midwest region of Western Australia:
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4 core producers sites of different sizes and different joining times, will demonstrate and assess the potential increase in lamb survival and reproductive performance of ewes, when adhering to best practice management techniques as set out in AWI, Lifetime Wool, and Asheep, following maidens over a 3 yr period focusing on:
a) Achieving BCS 3 – 3.5 pre-joining & pre- lambing BCS for the 3 consecutive years of the project
b) Increasing the reproductive rate (measured by pregnancy scanning for litter size & foetal aging),
c) Increasing the number of lambs marked and number of lambs weaned
d) Measuring lambs weaned / ewe unit joined & measuring lambs weaned / ewe unit scanned pregnant.
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Assess the effect of precision feeding on ewe fleece weights, and tensile strength using Electronic Identification Device technologies and wool test reports.
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Assess the general health of animals provided with balanced diet- BSC, WEC, marking weight & mineral status.
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Conduct a cost benefit analysis to determine the return on investment on the total feed & labour costs compared to an increase in reproductive performance, number or lambs weaned.
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Implement a series of skills and training development activities to increase the knowledge skills and confidence of 75 core and observer producers in ewe nutrition and management.
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Produce a series of demonstration fact sheets and guidelines from the project (6 in total) – for producers to utilise to adopt practices.
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75% of core producers will have adopted scanning to determine litter size to enable precision feeding requirements and 25% of observers intend to.
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30% of core producers will have adopted EID technologies in their flock, using the data to inform culling decisions
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Conduct an annual field day and other activities to showcase the demonstration site results and encourage adoption of key practices by 75 attending producers.
Key findings
Main outcomes achieved
- Pregnancy scanning was adopted across all four PDS sites, with early/late and litter size data used to manage feeding and paddock allocations.
- EID was used by all four sites to track reproductive performance and inform culling, with 100% of observers intending to implement in 2025 and beyond, with two core producers adopting eID due to the project and investing in data capture equipment.
- Lamb marking rates at PDS sites exceeded the 92% average with only one outlier due to climatic pressures, and supplementary feed availability, but average across all sites was 107%, ranging from 85 % to 127%.
- Wool cut per head improved modestly; tensile strength was not measured.
- Workshops covered key technical topics (e.g., ration formulation, ewe & ram prep, lambing management, weaner management), boosted skills and confidence, however 50% of observer producers still lack confidence in ration formulation.
- Grower videos, fact sheets, case studies and field days helped disseminate findings.
Reproductive success & survival
- Over the three-year project an improvement in lamb survival through targeted post-scanning nutrition, was observed with three of four sites averaging a 9% increase, while site three b due to feed limitations, and a shorter period in the project showed a decrease in lamb survival. Site two had the highest scanning to marking percentage of over 127% and it also had the highest percentage of single ewes and ewe input costs.
- Lambs marked per ewe joined over the three years also increased across the three sites, ranging from 9% to 30%, with some reaching up to 113%.
Gross margins
- Over three years, average gross margins improved with better ewe management. Those sites that invested in nutrition and animal health treatments, had higher lamb survival, but variable gross margins, depending on livestock prices.
- PDS site one and site four had the highest gross margins, indicating strong profitability relative to inputs.
- PDS site two had the highest DSE average (8.6), reflecting a more intensive system, albeit with a slightly lower gross margin percentage due to number of lambs / produced per ewe unit.
- PDS site three b had the lowest gross margin (12.9%), suggesting greater challenges in converting inputs to returns or higher input costs relative to income.
Challenges
The project faced significant challenges, including delays from Cyclone Seroja (2021), extreme heat (2022) affecting reproductive performance, labour shortages, inconsistent data, and broader industry pressures such as live export uncertainty and new eID regulations. These factors disrupted timelines and limited consistent participation, particularly among observer producers.
A key reflection was that the project’s design was overly complex, with too many variables tracked. Simplifying the approach to focus on four core metrics—pregnancy scanning, ewe body condition scoring, mob size management, and feed assessment—proved more practical and impactful. These measures directly support lamb survival, ease of management, and economic outcomes, and are scalable across enterprises.
Benefits to industry
This project reinforced the link between precise ewe nutrition, data-informed decision-making and lamb survival. Key benefits included:
- Improved ewe and lamb performance through targeted feeding
- Greater resilience to climate and market pressures
- Increased profitability per DSE
- Enhanced animal welfare and sustainability
By adopting these strategies, WA sheep producers can position themselves for long-term success in a changing industry landscape.
MLA action
MLA continues to deliver the Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) program, supporting livestock producers working in peer-to-peer groups to pursue new skills, knowledge and management practices applicable to their own commercial livestock production systems.
Future research
As noted, the project was hindered by environmental disruptions, labour shortages, and industry changes, highlighting the need for simpler, more practical designs. Future PDS projects should focus on 3–4 key metrics, like BCS, pregnancy scanning, and feed testing, while integrating eID tools and training to improve decision-making to simplify flock management, reduce costs and improve return on investment (ROI).
Future research should support the transition beyond live export through domestic market strategies, digital tools, and grazing innovations, particularly the efficient integration of livestock and cropping to increase DSE and KG of meat produced per hectare.
