Scanning Next Step in Boosting Lambing Rates
Sheep producers wanting to maximise lambing percentages have been reminded that pregnancy scanning can offer significant benefits.
Department of Agriculture and Food development officer Mandy Curnow said the availability of highly accurate ultrasound scanning allowed producers to know the pregnancy status of ewes about two months before lambing.
“This information allows producers to identify and manage ewes separately according to their pregnancy status,” Ms Curnow said.
“Being able to identify ewes that are barren, late joined single bearing ewes, and ewes that are carrying more than one lamb can lead to better allocation of feed resources and increase the reproductive success of the flock.
“To maximise scanning performance, the highest level of accuracy is between days 70 and 100 after the start of joining.
“This means booking a scanner the earlier the better, as many scanners become very busy over autumn.”
Scanning also enables producers to compare potential lambing against marking rates.
Ms Curnow said scanning for multiples was important as it enabled getting the best feed and shelter to twin bearing ewes, which could result in higher survival rates.
“Participants in the Lifetime Ewe Management training program, which involves the Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation (the Sheep CRC) and the department, have reported an increase in lamb marking of between 12 and 15 per cent after adopting the course recommendations, which include scanning and separate management of twinning ewes,” she said.
The program is delivered to WA producers by Rural Industry Skills Training (RIST).
“Every increase in lambing percentage, particularly by increasing lamb survival, will be rewarded this season – whether producers are raising meat or wool lambs,” Ms Curnow said.
For more information on pregnancy scanning and managing ewes during pregnancy visit www.sheepcrc.org.au or contact Ms Curnow 9892 8422. For more information on Lifetime Ewe Management contact RIST (www.rist.com.au/lifetime_ewe_management or (03) 5573 0943).