Less predators, more lambs

Summary

This Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) project addresses the critical issue of predator impact, specifically foxes and wild dogs on lamb survival rates in Northeast Victoria, particularly in the Goulburn Broken Catchment. The project aim was to assess the effectiveness of best practice predator control in conjunction with other best practice ewe management on lamb survival, particularly in twin-bearing mobs, with the ultimate goal of influencing widespread adoption among sheep producers.

Objectives

By December 2023, in Northeast Victoria:

1. 8 producers will be engaged to demonstrate a property specific best practice Predator Control Management Program (PCMP) to:

   (a) Improve lamb survival from current levels of around 70-80% and 80-90% to consistently above 80% and 90% for twin and single bearing ewes respectively for crossbred and merino ewes

   (b) Increase knowledge, skills and confidence of core farmers by refreshing key management criteria affecting lamb survival such as Lifetime Ewe Management skills including FOO and CS assessment and targets for lambing and by analysing and discussing key data from each farm including reproductive disease (Campylobacter) status.

2. Conduct a cost benefit analysis to determine the relative economic performance of the best practice predator control management programs (assuming other best practice management already in place)

3. As a result of the results from the project and associated extension / communication activities, 100% of core producers and 50% of observer producers will implement PCMP’s for their properties.

4. Implement a series of skills and training development workshops to increase the knowledge, skills and confidence of 100% of core producers and 50% of observer producers in relation to best management practices for predator and ewe management that have a direct impact on lamb survival.

Progress

This project is now complete. The final report will be published in the near future and accessible here. 

Key findings

• Lamb survival was improved if all of the best practices were implemented.
• Increased lamb survival from implementing PCMPs improved the farm bottom line on average by $3.87/ha.
• Outputs included 16 days of seminars and workshops, four articles, a case study and a radio interview.
  
  

Benefits to industry

This project has shown that producers clearly have seen an impact from time to time as a direct consequence of predators. ABS figures for 2017–18 estimate there are 1025 sheep properties in the Goulburn Broken Catchment and that the region produces 750,000 lambs annually. The properties involved with this project were already providing some means of predator management, however, they demonstrated that it could be generally expected that producers could improve their lamb survival figure as defined in this PDS by around 2–5% and in some cases by 8%. Conservatively speaking, valuing lambs at current market-low prices (Nov-Dec 2023) of $120/hd , and using the lower 2% increase in lamb survival (LS)% figure this equates to around an extra $56,000 for the core farmer group, and an estimated $1,800,000 per year for the region. If increased to 5% and the prices stay at the current market lows, this equates to around $4,500,000 for the region.

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

Future Research and recommendations identified from the project included:
1. Wild dog management is an issue that when arises can be devastating and more needs to be done to help producers as some are exiting sheep due to the problem (personal communication with local landholders and local area wild dog control officer).
2. An extension program as run for this PDS would make for an excellent sheep management course/extension program.