Calm ewes boost lamb survival rates

摘要

Lamb loss in the first few weeks of life is a major issue facing the wool industry. But one New South Wales producer has been diligently working toward increasing lamb survival rates by selecting calm sheep. The results so far of the breeding programme show he is on a winning track. Breeding calmer sheep has increased lamb survival significantly and therefore the productivity of Robert Mortimer's Tullamore, New South Wales, Merino sheep enterprise. Lamb losses were reduced by 25 per cent in ewes witha calm temperament, falling from 24% during 2003 to 18% during 2005 — a result that surprised even Mr Mortimer. Sheep with a low temperament score of 1-2 are considered calm, while those with a score of 3-5 are more skittish. Nervous sheep continued to have a high lamb loss rate, in fact increasing from 32% during 2003 to 39% in 2004 — an increase of 22%.