Reproductive Performance of Triplet-Bearing Ewes on Commercial Farms and Research Priorities Identified by Sheep Producers to Improve the Survival of Triplet-Bearing Ewes and Their Lambs

Author:

Thompson Andrew N.1ORCID,Allington Travis1,Blumer Sarah1,Cameron Jo2,Kearney Gavin3,Kubeil Lyndon4,Lockwood Amy1,Trompf Jason5,Winslow Emma6,Kenyon Paul7ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Centre for Animal Production and Health, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia

2. Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, 915 Mount Napier Road, Hamilton, VIC 3300, Australia

3. Independent Researcher, 36 Payne Road, Hamilton, VIC 3300, Australia

4. Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Sydney Rd, Benalla, VIC 3672, Australia

5. JT Agri-Source, Bradley Drive, Mill Park, VIC 3082, Australia

6. South Australian Research and Development Institute, Naracoorte, SA 5271, Australia

7. School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4472, New Zealand

Abstract

Consultation with sheep producers was used to quantify the mortality of triplet-bearing ewes and their lambs, identify management practices adopted by producers to reduce these losses and prioritise future research needs to improve the survival of triplet-bearing ewes and their lambs. Surveys were completed by 64 producers across Australia who identified and separated triplet-bearing ewes from twin-bearing ewes in 2017 and/or 2018. On average, 5.9% of all ewes mated were identified as carrying triplets (6.6% of non-Merino ewes and 2.9% of Merino ewes). The average mortality of triplet-bearing ewes was 6.4%, and ewe mortality did not differ significantly between ewe breeds. The average survival of triplet-born lambs was 59%, and survival was significantly higher for lambs from non-Merino compared to Merino ewes (60.1 vs. 52.9%, p < 0.05). The key strategies adopted to reduce the mortality of triplet-bearing ewes and their lambs included management of condition score, feed-on-offer, mob size at lambing and use of shelter. There were no differences (p > 0.05) in the average mortality of triplet-bearing ewes or their lambs between producers that prioritised the adoption of certain management practices. However, significant variation existed between producers in their targets at lambing for ewe condition score (2.8 to 3.5), mob size (10 to 150 ewes) and feed-on-offer (800 to 2500 kg dry matter/ha). Overwhelmingly, the highest priorities for further research identified by producers from surveys, workshops and a webinar were ewe condition score, mob size, feed-on-offer at lambing and mineral supplementation. This study informs benchmarks for mortality of triplet-bearing ewes and their lambs under extensive grazing conditions in Australia, and the priorities for future research to reduce these losses.

Funder

Meat and Livestock Australia

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

General Veterinary,Animal Science and Zoology

Reference37 articles.

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2. The critical control points for increasing reproductive performance can be used to inform research priorities;Young;Anim. Prod. Sci.,2014

3. (2022, October 31). ABARES: Farm Survey Data for the Beef, Slaughter Lambs and Sheep Industries, Available online: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/research-topics/surveys/farm-survey-data.

4. Participation in Lifetime Ewe Management results in changes in stocking rate, ewe management and reproductive performance on commercial farms;Trompf;Anim. Prod. Sci.,2011

5. Impacts of the Lifetime Ewe Management training program on the Australian sheep industry;Thompson;Anim. Prod. Sci.,2020

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