Tips, targets and tools for more lambs from ewe lambs

Joining ewe lambs has long been recognised as an opportunity to increase flock productivity, but success relies on getting the management right from the outset.

New work through the ‘More lambs from ewe lambs’ MLA Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) shows when ewe lambs are prepared and managed well, producers can achieve strong reproductive performance while improving both ewe and lamb survival.

The six-year PDS across western Victoria, southern NSW and south-east South Australia is demonstrating how best-practice management can lift conception rates, lamb survival and re-joining performance during a ewe’s first two years of life.

According to PDS facilitator Dr Jason Trompf, improving outcomes from ewe lambs represents a major opportunity for the Australian sheep industry.

“With the national flock at a 100-year low, joining ewe lambs to lamb at 12–15 months provides producers with an opportunity to increase the number of lambs produced from their existing ewe base,” he said.

“Research has shown lamb survival from ewe lambs can be improved by around 10–20%. In twin-bearing mobs, that can translate to a 20–40% lift in marking rates, which is a significant productivity gain.”

Setting ewe lambs up for success

The PDS is demonstrating a range of practical management strategies across nine commercial farms, including:

• meeting critical joining weight targets
• maintaining nutrition throughout pregnancy
• vaccinating for key reproductive diseases
• reducing lambing mob sizes to support survival outcomes.

Jason said best practice starts well before lambing.

“Managing ewe lambs successfully is about proactive rather than reactive management,” he said.

Current research suggests ewe lambs should ideally weigh around 45kg or more at joining, then gain approximately 10–15kg during pregnancy, reaching 60kg by pre-lambing treatments.

“It’s critical to develop the ewe lamb early so she reaches an appropriate joining weight and continues to grow during pregnancy. Doing the hard work early sets her up to get pregnant, deliver a viable lamb and recover well enough to perform again at the next joining.”

Lambing management makes a difference

Alongside nutrition and growth, lambing management is another key focus of the project.

Ewe lambs can be particularly sensitive to lambing conditions, with research showing smaller mob sizes can significantly improve survival outcomes.

“Ewe lambs benefit from greater privacy at lambing,” Jason said.

“When mob sizes are reduced, there’s less confusion around lambing events and fewer disruptions between ewes and their lambs. Across the research work, we’ve seen consistent improvements in lamb survival when mob sizes are smaller.”

The project is also highlighting the importance of monitoring growth during pregnancy to ensure ewe lambs continue developing while supporting the growing foetus.

Encouraging early results

Across the demonstration sites, producers adopting these best-practice approaches are already reporting positive results.

Jason said better preparation and nutrition are helping take much of the stress out of ewe-lamb lambing.

“One producer recently told us that after improving management and meeting weight targets, lambing ewe lambs has become far less demanding,” he said.

“They’re seeing stronger lamb survival and healthier ewe lambs, which is delivering both productivity and welfare benefits.”

The project is also reinforcing that the success of ewe-lamb programs extends beyond the first lambing.

“It’s not just about getting them pregnant,” Jason said.

“Success means the ewe lamb conceives, successfully rears a lamb and then goes on to perform well at her next joining.”

Confident decisions 

By the end of the project, the aim is to give producers clear evidence-based guidance to help them decide whether joining ewe lambs suits their system, and how to do it successfully.

Jason said simple practices such as weighing ewe lambs before joining and monitoring growth during pregnancy can make a major difference.

“If there’s one thing we’d like to see more producers doing, it’s measuring their ewe lambs,” he said.

“When producers weigh animals and track their progress, they can make better decisions about which ewe lambs to join and how to manage them during pregnancy.”

With the right preparation, ewe lambs can become a valuable contributor to flock productivity.

“When managed well, ewe lambs can deliver more lambs, improve genetic progress and help rebuild flock numbers,” Jason said.

“It’s about setting them up properly and giving them the best chance to succeed.”