2004/N01 Improving Returns from Lamb Production in Fine Wool Merino Flocks

Summary

Despite the drought hindering lamb performance, there were some important learnings:Crossbred lambs from fine wool ewes put on up to 1kg per week, even in such a tough season. In comparison, in a crossbreeding trial conducted in better seasons by the DPI, crossbred progeny from medium wool ewes grew at around 1.4 kg per week; andThe progeny of terminal sires selected using genetic information targeted to the final lamb market grew substantially faster, finished earlier and produced higher returns both per head and per hectare than the progeny of visually selected terminal sires.
The outcomes from the trial comparing selected terminal sires and dual purpose sires was less clear due to the tough season. Perhaps the progeny of Lambplan selected terminal sires grew faster and reached target slaughter weights earlier than the progeny of dual-purpose sires. Accounting for the fleece produced by the dual-purpose crosses was a little more difficult. The season restricted lamb numbers and their growth, and only in one flock were the dual-purpose progeny retained until shearing, did not finish and were sold as stores. The gross returns per head favoured the terminal sire's progeny by up to $10 per lamb. This result raises the question about whether it would be more beneficial to target the store market rather than the prime market.