Eight young wool and lamb producers from Birchip and surrounding areas are participating in a year-long sheep reproduction and management Lifetime Ewe Management program (LTEM).
A joint initiative of Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) and Rural Industries Skills Training (RIST) Centre, the supported learning program gives producers the skills and tools to monitor animals throughout the wool and lamb production cycle enabling them to make better livestock management decisions.
The program is designed for small groups so BCG’s Extension Officer, Alison Frischke, recruited a willing group of local producers who met for the first of six meetings at Robbie Lee’s property near Tchum Lake in late October.
Naracoorte based livestock consultant, Ken Solly, is delivering the program with Alison’s support. Ken grew up at Hopetoun and said he was enjoying the opportunity to work with Mallee producers again.
“Each member now has a ‘monitor flock’ which they will condition score at the six sessions and at the same time, their feed base will be assessed and feed budgets undertaken” he said.
Besides the hands-on work, a brief theory session is conducted to address the issues at the given stage of the reproductive cycle. The starting point was to get a high conception rate which required good management of ewes at post weaning.
All producers will scan their ewes for twins and single pregnancies and then manage them accordingly. This is where “the big gains” can be made Mr Solly said.
“Provided we work hard on management that achieves good lamb survival and provides sufficient nutrition to ensure good lamb and wool growth rates.”
The nation-wide program has been completed by over 3000 sheep producers across Australia covering approximately one-quarter of the national sheep flock. Research from past LTEM programs shows weaning has increased on average by 14 per cent following the completion of the program.
The group’s next session is in December where all ewes are expected to be in condition score 3, or better, and ready for joining. The group will discuss costing different feed options on a cents per megajoule basis and develop supplementary feeding rations.
AWI subsidise the producer cost of doing the program by 50 per cent because of its great impact on flock performance.
Places for the current Birchip group are full however interested producers are encouraged to contact Alison Frischke on 0429 922 787 or alison@bcg.org.au to join or start other groups.
