To feed or not to feed? Reproduction rate response to increased condition score
Ewes in better condition at joining, on average, conceive more lambs and therefore have a higher reproductive rate (foetus/100 ewes joined).
Response in reproductive rate varies between flocks due to genetics and the timing of lambing. Industry work shows that responsiveness varies between 13% and 60% more lambs for each extra condition score.
SMC is assisting clients with on farm trials to determine the responsiveness of their flock’s reproductive rate to improved ewe condition score (CS) at joining.
It is important to understand the responsiveness of your flock’s reproductive rate for two reasons:
Responsiveness impacts the profitability of managing ewes to increase condition score leading up to joining. The cost of feeding ewes to increase condition score leading up to joining can be justified by additional lambs conceived in more responsive flocks.
If improving reproduction rate is part of your breeding objective, knowing your flocks reproductive responsive rate is important information to help allocate resources to maximise your return on investment.
Establishing your flock’s reproductive responsiveness involves recording the condition score of 100 to 200 ewes at joining (using EID) and then recording the pregnancy status of the same ewes at scanning (0, 1, 2, 3).
SMC can assist you with condition scoring, data recording, data analysis and using this information to make the right decisions for your business operation.
