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This zone is characterised by
winter rainfall
(>550mm) and a mix
of annual and perennial
grasses and clover. Due
to a longer growing season
than the cereal zone there
are differences in pasture
growth rates and total feed
on offer produced. This
affects the potential
stocking rate and pasture
utilisation and therefore
affects the recommendations
for ewe management.
Details on alternative
management targets
and the cost of missing
production targets can be
found in the economics
section.The economic
analysis that supports these
recommendations is generated
using the Western Victoria
MIDAS
model. Download
the full report of
the modelling for this
region (250kB
PDF)
Ewe Condition Score Targets
Production from ewes and
their progeny can be
predicted with confidence
from knowledge of the ewe
Condition Score (CS)
profile. The profile sets
the optimum CS targets for
key times during the
reproductive cycle. Ewe CS
at joining and at lambing
set the framework of the
profile and the
environmental conditions,
including expected level of
pasture available in
late-pregnancy and required
level of supplementary
feeding, dictate the shape
of the profile for a
particular region.
.jpg)
(click on
image for a printable
version)
This graph
outlines the target CS
profile and acts as a
constant reference for how
your mob is performing.
Print out and plot the CS of
your mob against the
targeted CS profile, so that
by the end of the year you
have a CS profile for your
own
ewes.
Remember - ewe
CS for joining can be
influenced from weaning
and therefore it is
important to monitor
changes in ewe condition
between weaning and
joining.
The minimum CS depends on the
availability of green feed
in late pregnancy and the
ewes response to that feed.
Single bearing Merino ewes
should be around CS 2.8 at
lambing and twin bearing
ewes above 3.0. Only lose
the condition that can be
regained. This is due
to the production advantage
of ewes gaining condition in
late pregnancy on lamb
survival and wool production
and the cost savings in hand
feed.
Key points:
-
Increasing ewe
condition should
only be done
using green
feed. It
is rarely
economic to feed
grain for
condition
-
Only lose enough
condition over
autumn that can
be regained
using green feed
after the
break.
Defered grazing
tactics are
important to get
required pasture
targets
-
If ewes are, by
reason of a good
summer, on a
higher starting
CS, continue to
follow the shape
of the profile
rather than try
to lose more
condition.
This will still
give the highest
economic return.
.......read
more on the
economics
or
choose the topic of interest
from
How whole farm
profit is affected
by the condition of
ewes
Improving
ewe fleece weight and
wool quality
Ewes
in better condition at
joining conceive more
lambs
Improving
lamb survival
More
productive lambs through
better ewe
management
Managing
twinning ewes for higher
production
Managing
ewe mortality
or download/
request a hard copy
of the Ewe Management
Handbook for the High
Rainfall Zone
Tools including
Pasture photos, condition
scoring and feed budgeting
For more
information on lifetimewool
in South Australia please
contact;
Dr
Janelle Hocking
Edwards or Katrina
Copping
Struan Research Centre
ph: 08-8762-9191
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