With average lamb mortality rates in New Zealand sitting stubbornly at around 15 percent, B+LNZ is working hard to equip farmers with the tools and knowledge to improve these odds.
Through new podcasts, “Growing Great Lambs” workshops, and farmer-led focus groups, B+LNZ offers practical support to help boost lamb survival rates.
For farmers, increasing lamb survival isn’t just about luck – it directly impacts productivity and profitability. The factors influencing lamb survival are complex: mis-mothering, exposure, management practices, genetics, nutrition, and ewe body condition all play a role.
In a workshop led by B+LNZ, a group of committed farmers and industry professionals, including members of the FRAG (Farmer Research Advisory Group), gathered to tackle the challenges surrounding lamb survival. Their input has driven much of the work now underway to support farmers. As Mhairi Sutherland, Senior Scientist in Animal Health and Welfare at B+LNZ, explains: “Lamb survival is influenced by multiple factors, and understanding how they interact is key to implementing effective solutions.”
The workshop revealed that while farmers are aware of the major risks – such as feed planning, body condition scoring, and the timing of pregnancy scanning – barriers remain in translating knowledge into action. Adequate feed allocation, in particular, emerged as a major concern despite a wealth of available resources.
To address these challenges, B+LNZ is rolling out a series of resources designed to help farmers make informed decisions at critical moments. Among them are the Optimising lamb survival podcasts, available through The Country. These episodes feature expert insights on topics such as ewe nutrition, feed strategies, and lambing management.
“The goal is to provide farmers with tools they can use in real time. Whether it’s through podcasts, workshops, or focus groups, we want to help them make confident, well-informed decisions on the ground.”
A key component of this initiative is the regional focus groups, which are farmer-led and provide a space for sharing practical advice and solving real-world challenges. These groups allow farmers to discuss what’s working and what isn’t and offer a collaborative environment for developing farm-specific solutions.
B+LNZ’s approach combines education, community engagement, and expert advice to empower farmers. As Sutherland puts it, “By equipping farmers with the right resources, we can help them tackle the complexities of lamb survival and ultimately boost productivity and profitability across the sheep sector.”
If you’re interested in learning more about lamb survival for your farm, consider joining a regional focus group or tuning into the Optimising lamb survival podcast series.
For resources and to learn more about the focus groups to aid lamb survival visit: https://beeflambnz.com/knowledge-hub/lamb-survival
Listen to the podcast series
The Optimising lamb survival podcast series can be found here: