Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the average length of a sheep's pregnancy?
What is the average length of a sheep's pregnancy?
- 135 days
- 180 days
- 150 days (correct)
- 120 days
How often will a ewe come into heat (oestrous)?
How often will a ewe come into heat (oestrous)?
- Every 17 days (correct)
- Every 12 days
- Every 25 days
- Every 7 days
Which of the following breeds is considered a seasonal breeder?
Which of the following breeds is considered a seasonal breeder?
- Dorset
- Merino
- Border Leicester (correct)
- All of the above
What is the purpose of 'flushing' ewes before joining with rams?
What is the purpose of 'flushing' ewes before joining with rams?
What is the recommended ram percentage for a flock of ewes?
What is the recommended ram percentage for a flock of ewes?
What is the purpose of ultrasound scanning in sheep management?
What is the purpose of ultrasound scanning in sheep management?
How long are ewes typically joined with rams during the joining season?
How long are ewes typically joined with rams during the joining season?
What is the purpose of the increased ram percentage for maiden ewes?
What is the purpose of the increased ram percentage for maiden ewes?
What is the main purpose of separating ewes into different mobs during pregnancy?
What is the main purpose of separating ewes into different mobs during pregnancy?
What is the key benefit of having a higher lambing percentage?
What is the key benefit of having a higher lambing percentage?
What is the main purpose of moving ewes into lambing paddocks close to the homestead?
What is the main purpose of moving ewes into lambing paddocks close to the homestead?
What is the key difference between autumn and spring lambs?
What is the key difference between autumn and spring lambs?
What is the meaning of the term 'oestrus'?
What is the meaning of the term 'oestrus'?
What is the purpose of the 'dry ewes' mob?
What is the purpose of the 'dry ewes' mob?
What is the key factor that can negatively impact lambing percentages?
What is the key factor that can negatively impact lambing percentages?
Which new technology is mentioned in the text that farmers can use to assist with breeding?
Which new technology is mentioned in the text that farmers can use to assist with breeding?
What is the main difference between intensive and extensive farming systems?
What is the main difference between intensive and extensive farming systems?
What is the primary reason for concentrating sheep production in the sheep-wheat belt?
What is the primary reason for concentrating sheep production in the sheep-wheat belt?
Which type of sheep production system is typically associated with feedlots?
Which type of sheep production system is typically associated with feedlots?
What is one of the benefits of a feedlot system for sheep production?
What is one of the benefits of a feedlot system for sheep production?
Which of the following factors should be considered when producing both meat and wool on a sheep farm?
Which of the following factors should be considered when producing both meat and wool on a sheep farm?
What type of sheep breed is mentioned as being used in the largest sheep dairy in the world?
What type of sheep breed is mentioned as being used in the largest sheep dairy in the world?
Which of the following is an example of an intensive farming enterprise?
Which of the following is an example of an intensive farming enterprise?
What is the purpose of a feedlot system in sheep production?
What is the purpose of a feedlot system in sheep production?
What is the typical frequency of shearing for sheep?
What is the typical frequency of shearing for sheep?
When should shearing not occur according to the text?
When should shearing not occur according to the text?
What is the purpose of using Suffolk rams in prime lamb production?
What is the purpose of using Suffolk rams in prime lamb production?
What is the primary purpose of Merino and first-cross ewes in prime lamb production?
What is the primary purpose of Merino and first-cross ewes in prime lamb production?
What is the fate of ram lambs in a typical Merino sheep production cycle?
What is the fate of ram lambs in a typical Merino sheep production cycle?
What is the purpose of using Border Leicester rams in prime lamb production?
What is the purpose of using Border Leicester rams in prime lamb production?
What is the purpose of keeping ewe lambs in a Merino sheep production cycle?
What is the purpose of keeping ewe lambs in a Merino sheep production cycle?
What is the primary reason for shortening the time between shearing?
What is the primary reason for shortening the time between shearing?
What is the purpose of crutching in sheep farming?
What is the purpose of crutching in sheep farming?
How often does the farmer process lambs for meat?
How often does the farmer process lambs for meat?
What is the primary method of selling the meat produced by the farmer?
What is the primary method of selling the meat produced by the farmer?
What is the purpose of weaning lambs and placing them in a feedlot?
What is the purpose of weaning lambs and placing them in a feedlot?
When does shearing and footparing occur for the farmer's flock?
When does shearing and footparing occur for the farmer's flock?
What is the approximate size of the farmer's flock?
What is the approximate size of the farmer's flock?
What is the purpose of drenching and vaccination in the farmer's operation?
What is the purpose of drenching and vaccination in the farmer's operation?
Study Notes
Breeding Cycle
- Pregnancy in sheep lasts for approximately 150 days or 5 months.
- A ewe comes onto oestrus every 17 days, but this can vary depending on individual animals and breeds.
- The ewe will be on heat for 12-36 hours, during which time she will stand for the ram to join her.
Joining Season
- Some sheep breeds (e.g., Border Leicester and meat breeds) are seasonal breeders, coming into heat when day length decreases.
- Other breeds (e.g., Dorsets and merinos) are not affected by season and can be joined all year round.
- Ewes are fed extra feed (flushing) to increase the chance of them having twins and triplets.
- Ewes are joined with rams for approximately five weeks or two oestrus cycles, giving them two chances to fall pregnant.
- On average, two rams are needed for every 100 ewes in a flock.
Pregnancy Management
- Ultrasound scanning is used to identify pregnant ewes, allowing farmers to separate them into different mobs.
- Ewes carrying twins require different management and nutrition compared to those carrying singletons.
- Dry ewes can be separated and sold or given less feed and run as a wool-only mob.
Lambing
- Lambs can be classified as autumn or spring lambs, depending on the timing of joining and lambing.
- Ewes are moved into lambing paddocks close to the homestead for ease of monitoring.
Sheep Production Systems
- Intensive farming systems have high stocking densities in small areas, such as sheep dairies.
- Extensive farming systems have lower stocking densities in larger areas.
- Feedlotting involves feeding sheep in a controlled environment to optimize growth and nutrition.
Sheep Dairies
- Australia has a small number of sheep dairies, with the largest sheep dairy in the world, milking approximately 10,000 East Friesian and Poll Dorset cross ewes.
Merino Ewes
- The production cycle of a merino ewe involves joining with rams, weaning, shearing, and lambing.
- Shearing occurs at least once a year, but the timing depends on individual enterprise factors.
- Shearing should not occur within two weeks of joining or in late pregnancy.
Prime Lamb Production
- Prime lamb production involves careful crossbreeding systems, using breeds like Border Leicester and Suffolk rams.
- Merino and first-cross ewes are shorn, providing an additional source of income to prime lamb enterprises.
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Description
Learn about the shearing process for sheep and important husbandry practices including timing of shearing, management of ram and ewe lambs, and factors to consider during late pregnancy. Explore the best practices for wool production and meat production in sheep farming.
