Leading the Way in Reproductive Success
What if the key to unlocking the full potential of your flock lies in the very traits you choose to breed for?
In the world of sheep farming, growth isn’t just a goal—it’s a necessity for sustainability and profitability. At Moojepin Merinos, we understand that every opportunity for growth can lead to significant advancements in flock productivity and farm revenue. By focusing on cutting-edge reproductive strategies, we are not only improving our own operations but also setting new benchmarks for the entire industry.
This article explores how our innovative approaches to ewe lamb joining, pregnancy scanning, and lamb survival are making a tangible difference, with data and examples to show why this matters to you.
Ewe Lamb Joining: Success at 7 Months
One of the most significant challenges in sheep farming is maximising reproductive potential. Traditional methods often miss opportunities to capitalise on the early reproductive capabilities of ewe lambs. At Moojepin Merinos, we’ve taken a different approach by successfully joining ewe lambs at just 7 months old, and the results speak for themselves.
In 2023, our data showed that ewe lambs joined at 7 months achieved a 75% conception rate, a significant improvement over the industry average of 50-60% for ewe lambs joined later. The use of YCON (Yearling Conception) has been instrumental in this success. YCON allows us to identify ewe lambs with the highest genetic potential for early fertility, ensuring that only the most capable animals are selected for breeding.
By accelerating the reproductive timeline, we’re not only increasing the number of lambs produced per ewe over her lifetime but also enhancing genetic progress. For farmers, this means more lambs to sell or retain as replacements, translating to higher income and a stronger, more resilient flock.
Pregnancy Scanning: Enhancing Reproductive Efficiency
Maintaining high pregnancy rates is crucial for ensuring consistent flock productivity. Our reproduction practices are designed to optimise both conception (CON) rates and litter sizes (LS), contributing to the overall efficiency of our breeding program.
In our 2023 scanning results, we observed an impressive 85% pregnancy rate among our ewes, with an average litter size of 1.5 lambs per ewe. This is notably higher than the national average, where many flocks typically see lower pregnancy rates and litter sizes. By focusing on breeding values that prioritise these traits, we’re able to maximize reproductive efficiency, ensuring each ewe contributes to the long-term productivity of the flock.
For farmers, this translates into fewer non-productive ewes, more lambs per breeding cycle, and overall lower costs associated with replacements, making a direct impact on the bottom line.
Lamb Survival: The ERA of Excellence
Lamb survival is not just a measure of animal welfare; it directly impacts the economic viability of a sheep farming operation. Every lamb that survives to weaning represents potential income, whether through sale or as a future breeding animal.
At Moojepin Merinos, we focus on ERA (Ewe Rearing Ability), a breeding value designed to select genetic traits that improve lamb survival rates. ERA measures traits such as ewe maternal instincts, lamb vigour, birth weight, and resistance to diseases. By selecting for ERA, we ensure that more lambs survive through the vulnerable early stages of life.
Genetically, focusing on ERA and improving lamb survival rates contributes to the overall quality and resilience of the flock. As more lambs with desirable traits survive and are incorporated into the breeding program, the flock becomes increasingly robust, with improved reproductive performance, disease resistance, and overall productivity.
The relevance of Moojepin’s reproductive strategies extends beyond our own success. By leading the industry in innovative practices like early ewe lamb joining, optimising pregnancy rates, and enhancing lamb survival, we’re setting a new standard for what’s possible in sheep farming.
For farmers, these advancements offer practical solutions to common challenges, backed by real data and proven results. As we continue to push the boundaries of reproductive efficiency, we’re committed to sharing our knowledge and expertise with the broader farming community, helping to create opportunities for growth and success across the industry.
Reach out to us to learn more about how these methods can be tailored to your specific needs and begin your journey to maximising flock productivity today.
Comments