Increasing Lamb Survival

Summary

The Enhanced Producer Demonstration Site (EPDS) concept was developed in 2014 as a partnership between Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and Agriculture Victoria. The partnership brings the benefits of integrating with Agriculture Victoria’s  BestWool/BestLamb and BetterBeef network of producers and groups receive assistance from Agriculture Victoria extension staff throughout the demonstrations including monitoring, evaluation, reporting and communication.

This project comprised of two parts. Firstly, the completion of a suite of eight (Phase 1) demonstrations that commenced in 2014, and secondly, a further seven (Phase 2) demonstrations, established through an expression of interest (EOI) process that commenced in 2018 / 19. 

Demonstrating increased lamb survival following the Lifting Lamb Survival Paddock Planning and National Lambing Density Protocols. Measuring the benefits from mob size, ewe condition and improved shelter.

Objectives

The aim of the project was to demonstrate and measure increased lamb survival with the Western Plains BWBL group members by 5%-7% through improved management of mob size, ewe condition, Feed On Offer, shelter and disturbance at lambing.

The objectives were to:
1. To demonstrate the impact on lamb survival by applying best practice (Lifting Lamb Survival Paddock Planning and National Lambing Density Protocols) i.e. optimal stocking rate, mob size, ewe condition, feed on offer, shelter and paddock size.
2. To increase the knowledge and skills of producers to fine tune their lamb production systems and further lift their lamb survival.
3. To achieve attitude and behavioral change among non-adopting producers through extension of project outcomes.

The objectives for mob size, ewe condition and shelter were met. The objectives relating to the impact of FOO and disturbance were not demonstrated as the group were unable to provide a host producer for these trials.

Key findings

Results from the demonstration align with lamb survival research and show ewes lambing in smaller mobs have higher survival rates compared with ewes lambing in larger mobs. Shelter also had an influence and ewes lambing in more sheltered paddocks had higher lamb survival rates compared to
those with less shelter. The ewe condition trial conducted in the first two years found that condition had an impact on lamb survival in twin bearing ewes. The demonstration has shown there are welfare and economic gains to be made by influencing shelter, mob size and condition score of twin–bearing ewes.

Over the course of the demonstration, three training sessions were held including a lamb autopsy workshop, fencing subdivision session and a FOO and ewe condition scoring session. An annual results presentation/ discussion was conducted with the group and an annual Newsflash article shared through the BWBL and SALRC networks. The demonstration results were also shared on Agriculture Victoria social media and webpage. The three years of the demonstration included two years of significant limitations to group meetings due to COVID-19 restrictions. Data collection was undertaken by producers with reduced assistance from the project coordinators and meetings were held opportunistically when restrictions eased.

All producers involved in the demonstration indicated they would or had already adopted demonstrated practices, particularly smaller mob sizes and managing FOO to maximise lamb survival. Increases in producer knowledge and skills were also measured.

Benefits to industry

Producers supported through the demonstration of management practices proven to increase on farm productivity are much more likely to adopt the research outcomes and implement on farm change.

The key benefit to industry is the increased adoption of practices proven to increase productivity and profitability. All producers engaged in the project indicated they have or intend to adopt management practices demonstrated, which will lead to increased twin lamb survival. Results of the project were disseminated to the wider industry increasing knowledge and awareness, with limited ability to measure the broader impact.