Sheep and Goat Science Commons^™

Studies On Times Of Lambing In Ewes Grazing Subterranean Clover Based Pastures In Relation To Stocking Rates In South-Western Australia, H Lloyd Davies

Technical Bulletins

The investigation is reported in six parts: effect on ewe liveweight and fertility, lamb losses, effect on lamb growth and subsequent growth after weaning, wool production, pasture production and composition, and conclusions and practical implications. The results show that in the absence of supplementary feeding the physiological requirements of ewes in late pregnancy are better met by spring rather than autumn lambing.

Reproductive Wastage In Sheep On Clover Areas, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Western Australia's 67 per cent lambing for 1970 compares poorly with that of other Australian States, and other countries. From the 12.3 million ewes mated in this State's agricultural areas in 1970, only 8.2 million lambs were marked.

This low 77.7 per cent conception rate sparked the present series of reproductive wastage investigations by the Department's Sheep and Wool Branch.

This report describes the first year's results of the project in W.A.'s "clover disease" areas.

Later Mating Improves Lambing Results, R J. Suiter

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Ovulation studies in Western Australia have indicated that increased lambing percentages in crossbred and Merino ewes could be expected from mating in February-April rather than December- January.

Such increases have been demonstrated in time of lambing trials with crossbred ewes, but had not been seen in Merino flocks until recently.

This report summarises the results of time of lambing trials with Merinos carried out at the Merredin and Wongan Hills Research Stations between 1963 and 1969.

Causes Of Low Lambing Percentages, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

West Australian Merino flocks average about 70 per cent, lambs marked each year. Reasons for this low percentage are that as many as 30 per cent, of ewes do not lamb, twinning rates are low and from 10 to 25 per cent, of lambs born die.

Among the research projects by the Department of Agriculture's Sheep and Wool Branch have been a number directed at the various stages of reproduction in the ewe. These have given some important leads on the causes of low lambing percentages.

If you have marked less than 60 per cent, lambs in the past several …

Reproductive Wastage And The Sheep Shortage In Western Australia, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

WESTERN AUSTRALIA has an acute shortage of sheep.

It is estimated that about seven million extra sheep are needed to stock existing pastures fully; meanwhile the carrying capacity of the State's pastures is increasing at the rate of three million sheep a year.

Lambing Trials At Abydos Research Station, H Suijdendorp

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

ABYDOS Research Station is halfway between Port Hedland and Wittenoom Gorge. I t is in country of granitic origin that is largely covered with spinifex (mainly Triodia pungens) and associated species.

The results of a recent lambing trial at Abydos are discussed below:

Lambing Problems In Summer Rainfall Areas, H Suijdendorp

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

LOW lambing percentages have become a serious problem in the summer rainfall areas in the North-West of Western Australia.

Largely as a result of poor nutrition of the lambing ewes, lamb marking figures have fallen to the stage where keeping up stock numbers is extremely difficult.