PDS: Strategies for Managing Weaner Lambs for Drought Resilience
| Project start date: | 02 April 2026 |
| Project end date: | 31 January 2029 |
| Project status: | In progress |
| Livestock species: | Sheep |
| Relevant regions: | Southern Australia, South Australia |
| Site location: | South Australia: Marananga, Angaston & Keyneton |
Summary
This Producer Demonstration Site (PDS), delivered by the Barossa Improved Grazing Group (BIGG), will showcase practical, high‑impact weaning strategies proven to support lamb health and farm profitability in tough seasons. The project will establish three demonstration sites, each trialling different approaches including early weaning, weaning into containment, and targeted pellet or mineral supplementation. These strategies have already been adopted anecdotally by more than 60% of local producers during recent dry years, with many reporting improved lamb survival, better growth rates and stronger ewe recovery (but without formal measurement or guidelines).
Across two seasons, the project will measure lamb survival from weaning to six months, liveweight gains, ewe condition score and, in year two, pregnancy rates to understand the long‑term reproductive impact. Each strategy will also undergo economic analysis to quantify the return on investment, helping producers make informed decisions based on both productivity and profitability.
Objectives
By March 2028, in the Barossa and surrounding areas of South Australia, the project will establish 3 demonstration sites, engaging 10 core producers and a minimum of 75 observers to:
- Demonstrate and quantify weaning strategies (i.e. Early weaning, weaning into containment, weaning supplements) to increase:
- Post weaning rate (% lamb survival from weaning to 6 months)
- Lamb growth rate (live weight gain (kg) from weaning to 6 months, or point of sale for lambs in the finishing system)
- Ewe recovery (condition score of the ewe post-weaning)
- Conduct an economic analysis to determine the benefit of each weaning strategy, based on the survival, weight gain of lamb and cost of production.
- Upskill 100% of core and observer producers in their knowledge, skills and confidence to implement weaning strategies.
- Facilitate on-farm adoption of innovative weaning strategies on a minimum of 10 properties.
- Conduct extension activities including field days, case studies, webinar and a video to showcase the demonstration site results and encourage adoption of key practices by 100 attending producers.
Progress
How can producers protect lamb survival, growth and ewe recovery when seasonal conditions limit pasture availability?
The new MLA-funded Strategies for Managing Weaner Lambs for Drought Resilience Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) will demonstrate practical weaning approaches across three commercial sheep properties at Marananga, Angaston and Keyneton in South Australia. Delivered by the Barossa Improved Grazing Group, the project runs from April 2026 to January 2029, with findings relevant to sheep producers across Southern Australia.
Recent dry seasons have made it increasingly difficult to meet the nutritional needs of weaner lambs while supporting ewe recovery. In response, the PDS will demonstrate three practical strategies: early weaning at 8 to 10 weeks, weaning lambs directly into containment, and targeted supplementation at weaning.
Across two seasons, participating producers will monitor lamb survival to six months, liveweight gain and ewe condition score. Pregnancy rates will also be assessed in the second year at a demonstration site to explore longer-term outcomes for ewe recovery. An economic analysis will compare the costs and benefits of each strategy.
The project will provide producers with practical information to support more confident weaning decisions in dry and variable seasons.
