Lotsa Lambs - Improving Reproduction Success

Summary

The profitability of sheep enterprises in Australia is declining (Ashton et al, 2024). Improving productivity from the existing ewe base through maximising reproductive efficiency and minimising mortality will improve production outcomes and long-term profitability. 

Four sites in the Upper North Agricultural District of South Australia demonstrated the use of pregnancy scanning ewes in containment for foetus number, condition scoring and targeted feeding based on foetus number to increase lamb survival rates over one lambing cycle. An 8% increase in lamb marking was achieved compared with historic lambing results before twin and single bearing ewes were managed selectively in containment. 

In addition, two sites demonstrated lambing multiples in smaller mobs over three lambing cycles. Twin-bearing ewes in mobs of 100 or fewer during lambing reduces the risks of mismothering, ewe-lamb separations, and lamb mortality. The average increase in lambing marking over the 3 year PDS project from the adoption of reduced mob size at lambing for multiple bearing ewes was 8% compared with historical lambing results.  

This Upper North Farming Systems MLA funded PDS, through workshops and extension material, also increased producer understanding of the impact of genetic selection on reproduction, including the use of selection tools such as Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs), the RamSelect app and Merino Flock Profiling. 

Objectives

This project aimed to demonstrate that the adoption of best practice management strategies including pregnancy scanning for multiples and early and late bearing ewes, selective management of pregnant ewes in containment, smaller mob size at lambing for twin bearers and genetic selection, can improve reproductive performance of sheep flocks in the Upper North of South Australia.

By December 2024, in the Upper North region of SA:

1. At two sites demonstrate the use of pregnancy scanning ewes in containment for foetus number and foetus age, as well as the use of condition scoring, and targeted feeding based on foetus number and stage of pregnancy to increase lamb and ewe survival rates by 10% by;

   • More uniformly managing ewe condition score at lambing incl. setting targets, measurement, and adjusted management due to foetus number/age

   • Improve accuracy of feed budgeting

2. At two sites demonstrate management options for managing smaller mob sizes at lambing in a mixed cropping business and demonstrate a 5% increase in lamb survival when twin bearing ewes are lambed in smaller groups.

3. 75% of core producers will have a clear breeding objective and incorporate one or more of the following:

   • Record and analyse data on ewe pregnancy history

   • Merino Flock Profile for their flock

   • will track their ram team on RamSelect

   • consider ASBVs and indexes when purchasing rams

4. Implement skills and training development activities to increase the knowledge, skills and confidence of 27 producers in feed budgeting, condition scoring, and the use of ASBVs in breeding decisions so that 75% of core producers are implementing 1 or more of these practices in their enterprise.

5. Promotion to the wider group community through holding field days (1 per year), case studies (4) and technical reports (1 annually) and the established UNFS communication strategies including quarterly members’ newsletter, UNFS Facebook and Twitter accounts, annual compendium and annual members’ forums showcasing the project results and encourage adoption of key practices by livestock producers across the region and broader afield.

Progress

This project is now complete. The final report will be published shortly and will be accessible via this page and through the MLA R&D search tool.

Key findings

• Lamb survival percentage increased by an average of 8% compared to historical averages. This was associated with better overall management of ewes over the three years.
• Knowledge, skills and practice change increased over the project in both core and observer producers in recommended management practices.
• Local producer groups and peer-to-peer discussions with access to researchers and technical experts lead to improved learning and adoption.
• Measuring and monitoring condition scoring is important for achieving improved lamb survival as well as general animal health.
• Pregnancy scanning is essential for splitting ewes into better management groups and for future management decisions.
• The economic analysis showed an average $3.95 net benefit per ewe joined for selective management of multiple bearing ewes in containment and average $1.80 net benefit per ewe joined for running multiple bearing ewes in smaller mobs.
• Four core producers and 18 observer producers were involved in the project
• A total of nine extension activities were delivered with a total attendance of 310
• 26 communication outputs were delivered to UNFS members and the wider farming community.

Benefits to industry

Over the three-year project, there has been an increase in knowledge and adoption of best practice management strategies including pregnancy scanning for multiples and early/lates, selective management of pregnant ewes in containment, smaller mob sizes at lambing for twin bearing ewes and the use of genetic selection tools.

The reproductive performance and profitability of sheep flocks in the Upper North of South Australia can be improved with more effective overall management of ewes during pregnancy and at lambing.

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

The project highlighted a number of future research and recommendations, including supported peer-to-peer learning on farm leads to increased confidence and skills, and adoption of management practices. 

Control flocks would give a direct comparison rather than relying on historical data for analysing the results of the demonstration sites.

Alternative grazing strategies, fodder crops and feed sources could be investigated to bridge the feed gap during summer/autumn for pregnant ewes in the Upper North.

Investigate the concept of high condition score ewes at lambing having better lamb survival, and those lambs having a higher lifetime fleece value.