ON FARM SSHHEEEEPP REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY8 Smaller paddocks boost lamb survival First-year results have been gathered for an MLA-funded producer demonstration site (PDS) which aims to increase sheep productivity. The PDS is using temporary fencing to reduce the mob sizes of multiple-bearing ewes at lambing. The “very preliminary” 20–30ha areas, with feed results show that when on offer levels maintained at twin-scanned mobs of sheep 1.5–1.8t/ha. were stocked in paddocks Trial results included: of the same size, halving the mob size with a temporary • reducing mob size with fence provided the best fencing, while maintaining outcomes for lamb survival stocking rate at eight ewes/ and turn-off/ha. ha, increased survival by 3.5% on average, The three-year PDS has compared to the same four sites in western Victoria, stocking rate with no fence coordinated by local farming (i.e. bigger mob) a benefit at eight ewes/ systems group Willaura around the farm to focus on Best Wool Best Lamb and • reducing stocking rate ha. The benefit was greater mob sizes of 40–100 ewes managed by livestock further to six ewes/ha, with for ewes with higher per paddock. consultant Dr Steve Cotton. a fence to halve mob size, natural reproductive rates, increased survival by 7%, e.g. composite ewes. “Having said that, I want to Steve also managed four compared to eight ewes/ emphasise these are only trial sites for the Murdoch ha with a fence to halve Stocking rate sweet spot one year of results, so they University/Agriculture mob size “A key finding of the PDS was are very preliminary.” Victoria lambing density that lamb survival increased research project (see stories • the benefit–cost value Economic argument for page 26-28). varied from –$13 to by 7% at lower stocking rates portable fencing +$13 (fence value was (six ewes/ha) but lamb turn- Preliminary trial results depreciated over five off/ha decreased,” Steve said. Preliminary survey work The ewes were run at years). Maintaining higher from the local area found stocking rates of six, stocking rates and splitting“Turn-off (carcase weight kg/ 80% of producers surveyed eight and 10 ewes/ha on mobs with fences returned ha) is a key driver of profit had never used portable and productivity, so this electric fencing, and 71% said is significant. starvation and mismothering “In fact, at the lower stocking were still the major causes of rate (six ewes/ha) there was lamb mortality. little value from temporary “Reducing mob size to fencing, as the number of improve survival is not lambs produced per hectare always practical on large- was too low to justify the scale cropping and sheep cost of the fence. farms, as paddocks “At these lower stocking rates, are usually larger to producers should consider accommodate machinery Temporary fencing set up on Pat Millear’s property, as part of thethe use of small paddocks efficiency,” Steve said. MLA-funded Producer Demonstration Site. they may already have “However our portable fences 24