mating merino ewe lambs ben duxson glendemar
DESCRIPTION
Mating MERINO EWE LAMBS Ben Duxson Glendemar. Background. 20 Years of pedigree data MERINOSELECT, since inception 5 years EID system Now, genomics This year, TGRM matings 12 years of trial and error, in ewe lamb joining’s Involved in several trials. Why bother?. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Mating MERINO EWE LAMBS
Ben DuxsonGlendemar
Background 20 Years of pedigree data MERINOSELECT, since inception 5 years EID systemNow, genomics This year, TGRM matings12 years of trial and error, in ewe lamb
joining’s Involved in several trials
Why bother? Decrease the average age of the flock
More high value sales stock – lambs and breeding ewes
Early detection of ewes that are more fertile – sire, dam & progeny
Ramp up genetic gain
A tactical decision Not for everyone Don’t attempt to mate Merino ewe lambs if:
– You are getting low % in adults – fix that first– Weaners are light (tough season)– You don’t have an economical way to feed them
(lucerne, cheap grain etc) But it is an opportunity to capitalise on good
seasons and prices Requires precision management
Keys to success Like everything in sheep it comes
down to 3 things: Feeding Breeding Management
Get these things right and it works Cost effective and simple
Feeding for success Get the simple things right:
Manage all ewes to LTEM guidelines
Manage lambs using HPW guidelines
Weight is critical
Above average for fat (Merino’s)
30 35 40 45 50 55 60405060708090
100110120130140
Weight at rams in (kg)
Lam
bs in
ute
ro p
er 1
00 e
wes
Feeding for success
The heavier they are the better they go
Breeding for success Must use responsive genetics
Naturally reproductive
High post-wean weight ASBVs
High fat & high muscle
Moderate fleece weight
Low wrinkle
0 2 4 6 8 100
20
40
60
80
100
ASBV for YWT (kg)
F
ertil
ity (%
)
Breeding for success
0 2 4 6 8 100
20
40
60
80
100
ASBV for YWT (kg)
F
ertil
ity (%
)
Breeding for success
YFAT = +1mm
YFAT = -1mm
WEIGHT YWT YFAT YEMDTWINS 43.9 8.3 0.7 1.7SINGLES 41.3 7.2 0.7 1.6LOST 40.9 6.9 0.6 1.5EMPTY 40.6 6.9 0.2 1.1
Source, Glendemar Data 2011, 935 ewes
Breeding for success
Following Year Lambed at 14 months
Didn’t Lamb
SINGLES 58% 56%TWINS 31% 35%DRY 11% 8%Source: Glendemar Data 2012 Scanning
Manage for success
Manage for success Wean lambs early Have flexible management systems Find simple & cost effective systems Combine breeding & feeding
Things we are still investigating Which sires/dams do it consistently What happens for the rest of the
ewes life? What is the production of lambs born
from lambs? Changes in weight while mating Economic cost/benefit
