P.PSH.1180 - More lambs from ewe lambs through developing and extending best practice
Did you know that joining ewes to lamb at 12 to 15 months with a minimum joining weight of 45kg and at least 15kg of total pregnancy weight gain can improve ewe and lamb survival?
| Project start date: | 15 January 2019 |
| Project end date: | 15 October 2024 |
| Publication date: | 27 November 2024 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Sheep |
| Relevant regions: | National |
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Download Report
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Summary
Mating ewes to lamb at 12 to 15 months is an effective avenue to rapidly build maternal (including shedding breeds) and Merino ewe numbers and increase lamb supply. This project aimed to build understanding to improve the performance of a cohort of ewes in the Australian flock that is currently both underutilised and underperforming, by investigating a set of research priorities established via consultation with advisors, producers and a detailed gap analysis process.
Objectives
The project aimed to improve performance of a cohort of ewes in the Australian flock that is currently both under utilised and underperforming. This cohort can contribute substantially to addressing the challenge of sustaining breeding ewe numbers and increasing lamb supply.
Key findings
Key findings are below:
• Currently a maximum of 34% of Australian producers mate ewe lambs with varying results.
• For ewe lambs, their joining weight had a significant quadratic effect on the mortality of single and twin bearing ewes and their lambs, while liveweight change during pregnancy had a linear effect on the mortality of single and twin bearing ewes and their lambs (P<0.001, P<0.05, highest P given for any term fitted).
• Mob size at lambing has a significant effect on lamb survival from both single and twin bearing ewe lambs but there was no effect of breed (Merinos, Maternals or Shedders), which is consistent with research done on adult ewes.
• The optimum mob size for ewe lambs when using permanent fencing is between 40 and 60 head for twins and 80 to 125 head for singles, with the optimum mob size for Merinos is 10 to 20% larger than the corresponding mob size for Maternal/Shedding breeds.
Benefits to industry
The development of the ewe lamb and her progeny, coupled with smaller mob sizes at lambing has potential to profoundly increase the performance of Australian ewe lambs.
MLA action
MLA is currently investigating opportunities to pursue further work with this national cohort of ewes with the service provider.
Future research
• Identifying for Merino, Maternal and Shedding genotypes the relationship between percentage of mature weight and reproductive performance of ewe lambs.
• Evaluating the impact of feed-on-offer (FOO) in the lambing paddock on lamb survival from ewe lambs.
• Evaluating the impact of grain feed in late-pregnancy on ewe and lamb survival from ewe lambs.
More information
| Project manager: | Daniel Forwood |
| Contact email: | reports@mla.com.com |
| Primary researcher: | J.T. Agri-Source Pty Ltd |
