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

'Optimising ewe lamb joining outcomes’ is a project designed to support producers to navigate the best options and management practices to successfully join ewe lambs. The project is funded by MLA under their Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) program and is being delivered by independent consultants, Sally Martin and Lucinda Eddy (SheepMetriX) and Laura Broughton (Productive Livestock Systems).

The project is using current tools to assist the decision making process and building on management skills required to provide more confidence to successfully join ewe lambs.  Project participants are being upskilled to use the MLA Ewe Lamb Decision Support Tool with the core members using the tool to assess if joining ewe as lambs will be an annual or opportunistic management strategy.

‘Optimising ewe lamb joining outcomes’ groups are currently located in the Wellington, West Wyalong, Young/Harden and Junee/Wagga Wagga areas of New South Wales.