Southern Queensland sheep producers deemed scientific research and innovation good in theory at Wednesday’s sheep meeting in Dirranbandi.
Elders livestock production manager Rob Inglis travelled from Wagga Wagga, NSW, to present on preparation of ewes for joining, weaner nutrition and pre-lambing.
Of note was the importance of condition scanning, pregnancy scanning and the relationship between energy intake and pregnancy rates.
Mr Inglis said studies had shown that limiting ewes’ access to feed in the days immediately prior to joining had immeasurable benefits for conception.
“Body condition drives the number of eggs a ewe releases and a change in energy balance can kick start the cycle,” he said.
“If you can restrict feed intake by keeping ewes in a holding paddock on half rations and water for two weeks before the rams go in, you’ll see the benefits come scanning time.
“It enables us to trick them into thinking things are coming good when they’re let out.”
Mr Inglis said regular condition scoring helped calibrate pastures in terms of energy and also linked this to pregnancy scanning and subsequent culling.
“The biggest driver of fertility is the lamb you lost and it’s costing you money,” he said.
“The ewe that scans with twins and loses them costs you two kilograms of wool and if she had a condition score of three or more she’s got less excuse.”
Producers at the meeting agreed the suggestions were factually correct yet believed some aspects were impractical for Queensland’s climatic conditions and external factors such as labour and infrastructure.
Ben Wilson, Wilgunya, Dirranbandi, said implementing the suggested practices was a lot harder in Queensland.
“Not much work has been done here on pasture testing and energy, it’s all down south where it’s very different,” he said.
“As for limiting energy intake and scanning, there’s a fine line between what’s costing you money and what’s making you money.
“No doubt the ideas are worthwhile but it’s up to us to interpret them and make them fit.”
Elders district wool manager Brett Smith said he didn’t expect management practices to change overnight.
“It’s a gradual process and each individual is in a different situation,” he said.
“No doubt some people get set in their ways so we’re trying to hold more of these meetings to get some innovation out there and put the science into practice.”
With the Eastern Wool Indicator (EWI) closing 17c higher on 1282c/kg clean last week producers may prove open to new processes by way of maximising their profit margins.
