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.

REPRODUCTION SERIES

Managing ewes for joining
Overview

Setting the time of joining for lambing is an important on-farm management decision. Where practical, aim to lamb about three to four months before the end of the growing season for a Merino enterprise. In a prime lamb enterprise, a decision based on the most profitable compromise between ewes joined per hectare, the likely reproduction rate and market price must be made.

Key points:

· The higher the condition of the ewe at joining, the higher the potential number of lambs and the lower the number of dry ewes.

· Ewes joined in the spontaneous breeding season have a greater chance of falling pregnant.

· It is cheaper to maintain ewe condition from weaning rather than let the ewes’ condition drop and then feed them supplements in the lead up to joining.

For further information please download the attached factsheet.

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Managing ewes for joining (781.43 KB)

Successful pregnancy scanning
Overview

The commercial availability of ultrasound scanning for pregnancy in ewes has been a major development for the sheep industry. It enables farmers to know the pregnancy status of their ewes about two months before they are expected to start lambing.

Efficient & accurate scanning needs:

• Length of joining to be 5 weeks and no more than 6 weeks.

• Tease ewes where joining starts before mid January.

• Keep rams out of flocks at other times.

• Stop supplements one or two days before scanning is to be done.

• Take ewes off feed and water the night before scanning.

• Ensure enough help is available on the day of scanning to keep the ewes moving.

• Good yards and panels to allow subdivision of the scanned ewes.

For further information please download the attached factsheet.

Download

Successful pregnancy scanning (1.04 MB)