Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) - Temporary Fencing for Improved Lamb Survival

Summary

The aim(s) of this trial were to demonstrate an improvement in twin lamb survival by reducing mob and paddock size with temporary fences during lambing and demonstrate the cost-benefit of using temporary fences and the ease of construction and removal.

This trial was conducted on Merino ewes and Composite ewes across four properties in the Willaura/Lake Bolac areas of western Victoria between 2017-2019. 

Over the life of the trial, there was a 4.8% improvement in lamb survival across the participating properties.

Objectives

For producers from the Willaura BestWool BestLamb (BWBL) group to demonstrate:

• how temporarily reducing paddock and twin ewe mob size during lambing can increase twin lamb survival by 10% (measured by marking percentage relative to mob allocation to paddock)
• the ease at which temporary fences can be constructed and removed
• that temporary fencing is a cost effective strategy to employ rather than increasing single bearing mob size to free paddocks up for twins.

Key findings

• Across all farms, years and stocking rates there was a 4.8% improvement in twin lamb survival, representing a 9.8% improvement in lamb marking rate.
• Over the trial period, a 301% return on investment over the trial period was demonstrated.
• The total net benefit over the trial period was $2.78 per ewe, $20.73 per hectare and $15.06 per lamb.