Displaying items by tag: ewes

The targeted management of triplet-bearing ewes in the four to six weeks before lambing can significantly increase the kilograms of lamb weaned and therefore dollars produced per ewe.

Preliminary results on a ewe wastage study has found that, on average, 30 out of every 100 ewes left their flocks between mating and post-weaning.

Sheep farmers adopting fodder beet for winter grazing are being warned that it could result in serious under-nutrition in multiple-bearing ewes.

Farmers considering using lucerne as a flushing feed going into ewe mating should be cautious, especially if the weather has been wet and warm.

Ewes that gain condition before and after mating have higher lambing percentages than ewes that simply stand still.

The ewe is under her greatest nutritional and metabolic stress in late pregnancy and in early lactation.

A calm temperament in ewes improves ovulation rate and successful pregnancies, according to a study published by The University of Western Australia (UWA). 

Reducing ewe mortality rates on farm by 2% could result in at least $28 million a year savings to the industry, says Kate Griffiths, at the Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University.

Can we predict how long a commercial ewe will last in a flock? Does hogget mating affect longevity? And do high-performing ewes die sooner?

While the lowest lamb crop in 60 years should support prices, the market is being swamped by other factors at present, says the ASB in its weekly commodities report.