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Background information Poor survival of newborn lambs is a major source of lost productivity in breeding enterprises where lambing percentages of 110–130% born can result in a marking percentage of 70–90%. Most of these losses are associated with poor nutrition during pregnancy. By contrast, the number of ewes that fail to get in-lamb is . . . → Read More: Managing ewes to improve lamb survival Background information Successful joining management starts from the previous weaning period, both for ewes and rams. The first step to weaning more lambs is to ensure most ewes get pregnant in as short a joining period as possible. Both ewe and ram management must be considered. The single most important determinant of reproductive . . . → Read More: Ensure most ewes get in lamb Background information Now that pasture supply and variability are known you need to estimate your annual animal demand for the enterprises in your business. Flexibility with stock numbers during the year and between years is a key element of matching animal demand to pasture supply and managing risk. How flexible you can be with stock numbers will depend on your enterprise structure and goals, value of stock, disease . . . → Read More: Know the feed requirements for your sheep The following summary provides an overall picture of when different management practices will occur throughout a reproductive cycle. Although it does provide the basics, it will not fit every operation and should be expanded or modified to accommodate the management priorities of each sheep farm. Before Breeding Season Ewes Check udders for evidence of . . . → Read More: Shepherd’s Calender Regularly Monitor your Flock: Check your flock regularly. By paying close attention, the shepherd will become familiar with the normal behaviour of sheep and have a better chance of identifying and quickly dealing with any problems that may arise. Health problems that are caught and dealt with quickly will affect fewer animals and decrease . . . → Read More: Management practices for a healthy flock The profitability of a sheep enterprise depends on the number of lambs sold either for meat or as breeding stock. The number raised to market is a reflection of the complete management of the flock throughout the year. One of the critical points in this management cycle is lambing. Gestation Care The ewe is . . . → Read More: Caring for newborn lambs |
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