Sheep CRC Practical Wisdom is a series of technical notes to assist sheep producers to make sound decisions about technology and practices and then to have the know-how to implement their decisions.
These notes are created around the technology and practices that the Sheep CRC has investigated, thus they are not intended to cover all aspects of sheep management. However, you can expect more new notes at this site as we convert our research results into useful information.
NUTRITION SERIES
Options for light weight spring drop lambs
Overview
- There are a number of options for light weight lambs including selling, feeding or humane euthanasia, but each should be costed for your situation.
- Small Merino lambs are more challenging than prime lambs.
- Hedging your bets with different actions for different lambs may be worthwhile.
Sorghum grain for lot feeding of sheep
Overview
- Sorghum has not traditionally been used as a grain for lot feeding of sheep despite often being cheaper and more readily available in Queensland and northern New South Wales than other cereal grains.
- Recent work by the Australian Sheep Industry Cooperative Research Centre has highlighted the value of sorghum for sheep.
- Sorghum can provide a basis for finishing lambs and CFA sheep for existing markets.
- Feedlotting low body weight lambs or CFA sheep to achieve critical carcase weight targets can be profitable.
Feeding graim & hay separately in lamb feedlots - cheap & effective
Overview
- Feeding hay and grain separately is a cheap and effective method of lot feeding lambs compared to more expensive pelleted or total mixed rations.
- Feeding hay and grain separately requires that the lambs be introduced to the grain ration in a safe and effective manner.
- It is important to feed good quality roughage prior to and during the introduction of the grain.
Feedlot Calculator
Overview
- Finishing lambs in a feedlot often seems attractive especially in times of drought.
- Profit margins with lamb feeding are tight.
- The Feedlot Calculator is easy to use and allows you to make well-informed decisions about the likely financial outcome before committing yourself.
The Cowra Bale Feeder for hay & roughage feeding (see below for plans and photographs)
Overview
- Lamb finishing strategies and curfew management can affect producer returns, carcase traits and meat quality.
- Vitamin E supplements for two to four weeks prior to slaughter can improve shelf life.
- Magnesium oxide supplements for only four days prior to slaughter can reduce the effects of stress on glycogen reserves and may be particularly useful when finishing Merino lambs.
- Feeding high quality diets for 14 days pre-slaughter to ensure weight gain can improve meat qualities such as juiciness and tenderness.
- Curfew periods should not exceed 24 hours.
- Ensuring lambs have access to and experience with water troughs will help reduce carcase weight loss.
- Total time off feed prior to slaughter should not exceed 48 hours.
CJ Hawkins Homestead, University of New England, Armidale NSW 2351