Optimising ewe lamb joining outcomes

Summary

The Problem: There has been a significant increase in knowledge regarding mating ewe lambs from research and on-farm data over the past 10 years, including identifying management targets and strategies to improve their reproductive performance (Thompson & Young, 2018b). As a result, joining ewe lambs as a strategy to increase farm profit and breeding ewe numbers has been promoted widely and has generated much interest in the industry. Some producers have tried to join ewe lambs with mixed results. However, the additional requirements to join ewe lambs successfully, concerns about the impact on hogget ewe performance, and the risk of poor consequences (if not managed well) have prevented more breeders from attempting this management strategy.

The aim of this Producer Demonstration Site project is to demonstrate the decision-making process and additional management skills required to successfully join ewe lambs. Participating producers will be upskilled in the use of to the MLA Ewe Lamb Decision Support Tool, with the core group members using the tool to assess if joining ewes as lambs will be an annual or opportunistic management strategy, depending on each demonstration site’s unique circumstances and seasonal conditions. The project will develop a producer guide outlining a series of steps and considerations to follow in order to evaluate the pros and cons, linking this process to MLA's Ewe Lamb Decision Support Tool (DST). The project will establish 4 demonstration sites across 4 regions in Central West and Southern NSW, engaging 20 Core producers, with 82 000 sheep, 500 cattle and 57 000ha under management and 40+ observer producers.

Objectives

By 30th December 2026, using four demonstration site properties located in central and southern NSW, the project will engage 20 core and at least 40 observer producers to:

1. Develop a list of steps and considerations in conjunction with the decision support framework for producers to evaluate when the opportunity to join ewes as lambs would be appropriate for their individual farm considering the local environment and seasonal conditions. Develop a document outlining a series of stepsand considerations to follow in order to evaluate the pros and cons, linking (complementing) this process to the Decision Support Tool (DST) developed by MLA. The list would include for example the level of skills, resources required, nutrition knowledge, rating their ability to supplementary feed, rating infrastructure, labour availability and genetics and will relate back to best management practices and when and where to
   seek more information/training and a review process.
2. Test the Decision Support Tool being developed by Murdoch University, Farm Systems Analysis Service and neXtgen Agri with 100% of the core producers using it to develop their management plan.
3. Benchmark the genetic performance of the four demonstration site flocks using RamSelect’s Ram Team Manager and/or Flock Profile (if demonstration farm is not purchasing rams with ASBVs). Monitor ram and ewe selection over the life of the project and relate back to actual outcomes.
4. Measure the production outcomes of joined ewe lambs for 80% of the core producers, including reproduction rates, liveweight, wool production and additional costs of management for the demonstration flocks.
5. Measure the impact of joining ewe lambs on their subsequent hogget performance (reproduction rates) for the core producer flocks with individual animal records.
6. Conduct a cost benefit analysis to measure the economic benefit of adopting the management strategies used in this project (for the demonstration flocks).

Progress

Now in its third year, Optimising Ewe Lamb Joining Outcomes is a national MLA-funded Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) project led by independent consultants Sally Martin, Leigh Higgins (SheepMetriX) and Laura Broughton (Productive Livestock Systems). The project is being delivered across three host sites: Jugiong, West Wyalong and Wellington. A key focus this year is evaluating the long-term performance of the 2022 drop ewes at Bella Lana, where a group joined as ewe lambs are now being compared to a control group who weren’t joined in their first year. These ewes are now in their third joining, providing valuable insights into their lifetime productivity.

Communication and extension have remained central to the project. In March 2025, a field day was held at Dean Bourlet’s Jugiong property, attended by 25 core and observer producers. Two webinars were also hosted. The first, in February, shifted from a planning session to an information webinar after 456 producers registered. Dr Kelsey Pool presented on the use of Regulin in ewe lamb joining. The second, in June, was co-hosted with Jason Trompf as part of his ‘More Lambs from Ewe Lambs’ PDS, focusing on lamb survival and broader ewe lamb management. These activities continue to grow national engagement and adoption.