Pregnancy scanning in sheep

Increasing lambing percentages through better use of pregnancy scanning technology

This multi-year co-investment with Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) aimed to improve lamb survival and reproductive rates in the Australian sheep flock through better adoption of pregnancy scanning, with the target of increasing adoption of pregnancy scanning among Australian sheep producers (all regions) by 10%, and a 15% increase in scanned flocks providing customised management to multiple-bearing ewes by 2032 (when scanning for litter size).

Background

Pregnancy scanning is a vital tool for improving sheep reproductive performance. It enables identification of litter size early in pregnancy, so that multiple-bearing ewes can be differentially managed to meet recommended condition score targets to enhance ewe and lamb survival.

In 2018, an MLA-funded survey of Australian sheep producers determined that 69% of respondents do not pregnancy scan their ewe flocks for litter size. This limits a producer’s capacity to maximise survival by customising ewe nutrition during pregnancy and lactation according to whether ewes are carrying singles or multiples.

The findings from this project will be used to construct a business case to increase the adoption of pregnancy scanning through demonstrating a return on investment.

Project objectives

To achieve the goal of increasing the adoption of pregnancy scanning by 10% across the Australian sheep flock, and a 15% increase in scanned flocks differentially managing multiple-bearing ewes by 2032, the project:

• Conducted an extensive benefit cost analysis on the value of scanning across a range of sheep producing regions and enterprise types
• Developed a detailed business case for pregnancy scanning, including information suitable for inclusion in MLA and AWI extension packages tailored to different production environments, producer skill levels and resource availability (e.g. livestock identification systems and labour availability)
• Conducted a series of case studies and surveys to create a better understanding of barrier to adoption of pregnancy scanning and develop solutions to overcome these barriers
• Created a scanning image library (videos of real-time assessments) using three experienced pregnancy scanners and a human sonographer / radiologist as a tool for benchmarking
• Created a series of training materials and information resources for pregnancy scanners, including content covering:
  • Images and anatomical references to identify single and multiple pregnancies at different stages of the gestation
  • Ovine reproduction physiology
  • Fetal losses and causes of loss
• Conducted workshops for scanners, including use of benchmarking material, as part of a regular (bi-annual) conference.