Friday, 11 October 2024 10:55

Improving lamb survival rates

Written by  Staff Reporters
B+LNZ recently held a workshop to examine the main risk factors contributing to lamb losses. B+LNZ recently held a workshop to examine the main risk factors contributing to lamb losses.

Improving lamb survival rates is a key focus for New Zealand farmers, especially this time of year.

To address this, Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) recently held a workshop led by Dr Mhairi Sutherland, senior scientist for animal health and welfare research.

This co-design workshop, facilitated by Ange McFetridge, brought together farmers (over a third of the attendees), B+LNZ experts, researchers and veterinarians to examine the main risk factors contributing to lamb losses.

The goal was to identify where extension activities and research opportunities could be leveraged to provide farmers with practical tools to improve lamb survival and boost profitability.

Lamb mortality is complex, with most losses occurring in the first few days of life. Key factors include starvation, exposure, poor ewe body condition and management practices, alongside genetics, nutrition and dystocia (difficult births). These issues were explored in detail, leading to productive discussions on where research and extension efforts could deliver the greatest impact for farmers.

“Farmers care deeply for their animals and want to see them thrive,” says Sutherland.

“Improving lamb survival not only enhances animal welfare but also boosts farm profitability by providing more lambs to sell.”


Read More


One attendee was Steve Nichol, a member of the B+LNZ Farmer Research Advisory Group (FRAG) and farming 4500 ewes in Otago.

He found the workshop very valuable saying “the workshop was a great opportunity to interact with passionate industry experts. It will help us refine extension services to better meet the needs of today’s farmers and explore new opportunities”.

Sally Newell, a farmer, vet, and FRAG member echoed this sentiment: “Bringing together forward- thinking farmers, researchers and rural professionals led to robust discussions.

We came up with plenty of ideas for B+LNZ to focus on, both in research and extension, to improve lamb survival across New Zealand.”

By understanding the challenges and opportunities, farmers can take targeted actions such as improving ewe nutrition, refining lambing management, and focusing on genetic selection to reduce losses.

“Optimising these areas will help farmers allocate resources more efficiently and improve overall farm performance,” adds Sutherland.

As lamb survival remains a priority, B+LNZ’s focus on addressing these challenges will help deliver practical, farm-ready solutions. Insights from this workshop will inform future research and extension programmes, empowering farmers to reduce lamb mortality and enhance farm performance.

Article supplied by Beef + Lamb NZ

More like this

Feeding newborn calves

To ensure optimal growth, health, and wellbeing of calves, feeding strategies should be considered carefully.

Featured

Cheeses recalled over listeria risk

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) says it is supporting importer Goodfood Group in its decision to recall Food Snob and Mon Ami brand French Brie and Camembert cheeses.

Editorial: Hope for the best

New Zealand's dairy industry is right to call out Donald Trump over the damage the additional 15% tariff the US is imposing on our exports but also imposition on lower tariffs on our competitors.

National

Machinery & Products

A reliable, no-fuss workhorse

Showcased with a T7.245 at the recent National Fieldays, New Holland has expanded its T7 tractor range offering in New…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Wrong focus

OPINION: Your old mate reckons townie Brooke van Velden, the Minister of Workplace (or is it Woke Place) Relations is…

Burn the village

OPINION: There's an infamous term coined by a US general during the Vietnam war, specifically in reference to the battle…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter