Should twins born to ewe hoggets and grown out to heavy weights be retained as replacements and mated as ewe lambs?
Strong lamb prices are an added incentive for farmers to maximise their pre-weaning growth rates this season.
Sheep farmers in many parts of the country have the next six to eight weeks to lift the condition of their lighter ewes before the ram goes out.
Preliminary results from a Massey University trial looking at the lifetime performance of lambs retained from hoggets and mated as hoggets is showing possible efficiency advantages to the practice.
Maintaining ewes in good body condition and the provision of shelter are two important management factors in maximising this year’s lamb crop.
Foetal aging and Body Condition Scoring are two powerful tools farmers can use at scanning to help make the most efficient and effective use of limited feed resources.
Feed resources could be tight in many areas this winter so hogget mating needs to be carefully considered to ensure the hogget’s future productivity is not compromised.
Time invested in preparing both ewes and rams in the lead-up to mating will help maximise scanning percentages and ultimately next spring’s lamb crop.
If you’re selling or leasing bulls this spring ‘understand the risks’ and know the animal’s history around movements and health, says Manawatu beef farmer Richard Morrison.
A Massey University ewe longevity trial has highlighted a significant wastage issue within the sheep industry.
B+LNZ Genetics has produced an informative two-page guide called ‘Birth to first pregnancy’, which covers off key points to help maximise your heifer mating success.
Strong returns for lamb coupled with predictions of a dry summer in many parts of the country are an incentive for farmers to maximise pre-weaning growth rates.
