Using pregnancy scanning data to improve productivity and profitability

Stock Journal Article - May 2024

Lambing potential serves as a fundamental profit driver, heavily influenced by scanning percentage, which indicates the number of potential lambs. The subsequent stages of lamb marking and weaning percentage also play crucial roles. When analysed collectively, these metrics offer valuable insights into the reproductive efficiency of a flock, laying the foundation for strategic decision-making in sheep farming.

Pregnancy scanning involves ultrasound examination of ewes to determine pregnancy status and expected lamb numbers, serving as an early indicator of lambing potential. This data provides essential information about the reproductive performance of individual ewes and the flock as a whole. Pregnancy scanning also allows dry, single, and multiple-bearing ewes to be identified. While implementing targeted nutrition and management is key for increasing lambing percentages, recording and analysing the different management strategies implemented is crucial for optimisation of lambing percentage.

Weaning data provides a comprehensive overview of lamb survival rates and overall flock productivity. By scrutinising weaning data alongside scanning and lamb marking results, also correlations between expected and successfully weaned lambs to be drawn. This analysis sheds light on the effectiveness of the lambing process, allowing factors influencing lamb survival, such as maternal care, paddock quality, and predator management to be assessed.

To optimise lambing potential, it is crucial to bridge the gap between scanning and weaning data. Start by categorising ewes based on their scanning results, distinguishing between those expecting singles and multiples. This segmentation enables targeted management practices. For ewes carrying multiples, allocate high-quality paddocks to enhance lamb survival rates, while a more hands-off approach may be suitable for ewes expecting singles, saving time and resources.

Regularly reviewing and comparing scanning, lamb marking, and weaning data over multiple lambing seasons allows for pattern identification. Consistent mismatches between scanning and weaning numbers may indicate areas for improvement in management practices. Additionally, assess the impact of external factors such as weather conditions, paddock allocation and predator presence on lambing outcomes. Recording average body condition scores at each stage provides a good indicator of how nutrition has affected the results.

Beyond the immediate benefits of optimising lambing potential, a strategic approach to scanning and weaning data fosters a proactive and informed flock management strategy. Empowering data-driven decisions, refinement in breeding programs, and the ability to enhance overall flock productivity. Continuous monitoring and adjustment based on this data analysis contribute to the long-term success and sustainability of a sheep farming operation.