Around the Camp: predator control / electronic ID / ewe mortality

Source – http://www.lifetimewool.com.au

Ewe condition score at lambing can be important in limiting ewe mortality, especially when weather conditions are poor. Mortality occurs mainly when condition score is less than 2 during late pregnancy, see graph below. Twin bearing ewes are more at risk during late pregnancy and lambing. At the other end of the scale, single bearing ewes may have increased risk of dystocia if their condition score is too high coming into lambing.

Ewes are also affected by weather, their age, pregnancy status and food on offer at lambing.

Recommendations

• Twinners should be at least condition score 3 and on the best pasture available to allow unrestricted intake by lambing to limit pregnancy toxaemia.

• Single ewes should be at least condition score 2.5 by lambing and should be less than condition score 4 to limit dystocia

Danger Zone

• Twin ewes < CS 2.5 @ lambing
• Single ewes <CS 2 or >CS 4 @ lambing

Options:

• Identify twinners (with option to run separately in late pregnancy) and remove dries at scanning
• Draft off any twinners less than condition score 2.5 at scanning and manage separately to increase condition score
• Draft off any single ewes less than condition score 2 at scanning and manage separately to increase condition score
• Prepare lambing paddocks – especially for the twinning mob by:

• controlling predators
• providing shelter (if needed)
• ensuring good quality and supply of pasture

Any ewes less than condition score 2 should be removed from the mob and managed separately.

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