ON FARM SHEEP FEEDBASE f Getting to the root SNAPSHOT:Mark and of the problem Sheree Cooper, S Edenhope, Victoria “If I’d spray topped that paddock the situation could’ve been much worse because the sub-clover content would’ve increased, increasing the oestrogenic content,” Mark said. Area: 800ha Solutions Enterprise: Mark applauds this research Transitioning from a Merino for the answers it has ewe-based enterprise given him. to terminal lambs, sheep Dr Kevin Foster from UWA (centre) helped identify oestrogenic and cattle trading and sub‑clovers at Mark Cooper’s farm. Dr Foster is pictured inspecting“When you know what the opportunity winter cropping. renovated pastures with Aspley BestWool/BestLamb Group membersproblem is you can work on Lawrie and Xavier Close – Mark Cooper (not pictured) is also a memberfixing it,” he said. Livestock: of this group. Image: David Woodard, PIRSA His first step was to Merino ewes, terminal ewes Victorian sheep most evident in the earlier ofcondition score paddocks – and wethers producer Mark his two preg scans on joined 80% of pasture paddocks Pasture: Cooper has a good ewes when the pregnancy contained a percentage of Perennials (mainly phalaris) rate could be as low as 60%. oestrogenic clovers. and annuals (sub-clover) reason to smile – he’s identified the root of his He went back to the basics, He could then start implementing management Soil: flock infertility problem drawing on the lessons of strategies, including: Heavy grey clays (50%), loams and can start working Lifetimewool (now known as (40%) and deep sand (10%) towards a solution. Lifetime Ewe Management). • allowing the grass content of pastures to become Rainfall: While he’s still working out He focused on condition more dominant, diluting the 525mm the complexities it brings score management and then oestrogenic sub-clovers to his business, putting the his rams, using vets for full • ensuring soil phosphorus pre-joining examinations. Mark Cooper spotlight on the decades-old is adequate as deficiency E: markcooper8@icloud. problem of oestrogenic The light-bulb moment may increase pasture com sub-clover has made him The true problem only came oestrogen levels optimistic about how to to light when researchers • growing more grazing Lifetime Ewe overcome it. working on the MLA Donor Management crops to fill winter feed lifetimewool.com.au/ “I always knew I had Yarloop Company-funded oestrogenic gaps for ewes LTEM.aspx sub-clover which had to be clovers project came to the • adjusting the enterprise managed,” Mark said. Coopers’ farm in October mix to grow the 2018 (see story page 24). terminal ewe flock at a “It’s the price I paid for having slower rate progressive forebears who, Mark showed Dr Kevin in the 1950s and ‘60s, saw Foster from The University • renovating pastures to sub-clover was a great of Western Australia and remove unwanted varieties. productive feedbase.” David Woodard from Primary “Replacing pastures is Industries and Regions SA a not a simple as it sounds,” The Yarloop was planted sub-clover paddock which before this variety was found he was about to spray-top Mark said. to produce oestrogenic to boost clover content. “The reason sub-clover has compounds which impact been so successful is that sheep fertility. David pointed out there it survives. were two other oestrogenic Although he strategically sub-clovers (Dwalganup and “It’s hard-seeded and hard to only grazed wethers or old Dinninup) present – these get rid of. It takes three years ewes on the Yarloop, Mark varieties are hard to identifyof knock-downs and fallow to saw a gradual decline in especially if their flowers clean it out of a paddock and fertility. The problem was aren’t visible. that’s not cheap.” ■ 26