Post on 28-Jul-2020
The team from the Campaspe Lamb Producers Group and sponsors after lamb marking
Key cooperating sponsors
Product support sponsors
Ewes for the future – fertility, lambs & wool
Report for 1st
year ending 31 Dec 2015
Ewe and lamb weights, reproduction and wool
2
Trial committee & contact details
Ged McCormick
Chairman sheep committee
0418 505 345
EFD (03) 5432 6176
info@elmorefielddays.com.au Elmore Events Centre
Rosaia Road
Elmore Vic 3558
Max Williams
EFD ewe trial committee
0428 341 667
Home (03) 5436 9254
1607 Minto Road, Drummartin
Raywood Vic 3570
Roger Trewick
EFD ewe trial committee
0428 326 190
Home (03) 5432 6190
peperton@bigpond.net.au “Pepperton”
Minto Road
Elmore Vic 3558
Athol Frederick
Landmark Bendigo
Work (03) 5448 3881
0428 510 518
athol.frederick@landmark.com.au Landmark
148 Midland Hwy
Epsom Vic 3551
Kieran Ransom
formerly DPI Bendigo
0419 320 824
Home (03) 5443 1871
kieran.ransom@bigpond.com 19 Neale St
Bendigo Vic 3550
Note These results from are from ewes that were born over a four month period and reared in very different environments until January 2015 until their first joining as ewe lambs in late February 2015.
The Elmore Field Days sheep trials committee need to script read results before they are passed on to the media by participating groups. They are concerned that selected information may be used out of context without presenting the full situation and results. When breed groups use the results in their promotions it is expected the Elmore Field Days will be acknowledged.
Sponsors messages Coopers Animal Health has supported the Elmore Field Day Sheep Trial supplying Ovilis Campyvax for protection of ewes against Campylobacter
infection during pregnancy which can cause abortion or embryonic resorption.
Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter fetus fetus infections during pregnancy are recognised as common causes of low level foetal loss (commonly 4-12 %) and at times dramatic abortion events particularly in maiden ewes. These bacteria are common in sheep flocks and spread occurs when sheep shed
bacteria via faeces or aborted material into the environment and naïve sheep ingest the bacteria. If the ewe is pregnant when she ingests the Campylobacter bacteria, she may become infected and resorb or abort her foetus. Young sheep that have not had the time to have natural exposure to the bacteria and
hence develop natural immunity are most susceptible to such infections.
Protection from infection during pregnancy can be achieved by vaccinating with Ovilis Campyvac at joining. Contact Coopers Animal Health on 1800 226 511 for more information.
Coopers Animal Health also provide animal health, welfare and nutrition advice to the trial
3
Trial outline: Six breed types of ewes are being compared for prime lamb and wool production. A total of 252 ewe lambs from 6 breed-types, each represented by 42
ewes are being joined to terminal sire rams. Each breed type group was randomly selected from 3 properties, 14 ewe lambs per property after an allowance for culling. Selection preference was true commercial flocks rather than commercial flocks attached to studs. The ewes are normally run
together as one mob, except when lambing in their separate breed groups and when dry ewes are separated after scanning and lamb marking to avoid
overfeeding. It is planned to run the trial for at least four adult lambings; with satisfactory progress the trial could be extended.
The breed-types are listed below.
Breed type Background
Border Leicester x Merino
Crossbred ewes
The most common prime lamb mother in the Elmore and northern districts. The time ewes were sourced with the
help of the Victorian State Committee of the Australian Border Leicester Association.
Multimeat x Merino Crossbred ewes
Multimeats are a composite breed based on White Suffolk genetics. They supply rams that are DNA tested to carry 2 copies of the Booroola fertility gene. These rams breed first cross ewes from Merinos. The first cross lambs
carry one copy of the gene. Multimeat breeders claim these ewes consistently rear 30% more lambs than normal
crossbreds.
Cashmore-Oaklea Performance Maternals
(Composites)
Cashmore-Oaklea Performance Maternals (Composites) have bred sheep from the following breeds: Coopworth, Border Leicester, East Friesian, Finn, SAMM (South African Meat Merino), Texel, Poll Dorset, White Suffolk,
Merino, Corridale, NZ Romney and Perendale. They have achieved a reputation for good lambing percentages that
are assisted by the hybrid vigour between the various breeds.
Loddon Valley Merino The second most common prime lamb mother in the Elmore and northern districts. Rams are predominantly
Peppin genetics but some studs contain some South Australian Merino genetics. Ewes were sourced with the help
of the Loddon Valley Stud Merino Breeders Association from three properties in northern Victoria that use Loddon Valley Merino rams.
Leahcim Merinos Leahcim is a South Australian Merino stud that has a long history of selecting a meat type merino with low wrinkle,
bare points, no need to mules but with high quality wool. The stud sells 700 rams annually and many studs and commercial flocks in Victoria are introducing Leahcim genetics.
Centre Plus Merino Centre Plus is a group breeding scheme and registered Merino stud and in Central West NSW that aims to produce
dual purpose sheep. This Merino strain has achieved a good reputation from the high dual purpose and fine wool
index ASBVs on the Sheep Genetics Australia website.
Results Seasonal conditions and supplementary feeding
Dry seasonal conditions were mostly experienced from March to December 2015.
Joined ewes were fed a supplement of 0.2 kg/day (fed every few days) of Coprice sheep pellets and hay from joining to
about one month prior to lambing. The pellet ration was then increased to 0.4 kg/day. Green pasture available improved
immediately prior to lambing and during lambing the GrazFeed computer program predicted the ewes were eating about
1.0 to 1.3 kg green DM per day. The ration was then reduced to 0.2 kg/day pellets plus hay. The supplement was stopped
several weeks after marking and commenced again just prior to weaning to train the lambs to readily take supplementary
feed.
Dry ewes received no supplement from March onwards and continued a moderate weight gain through the autumn, winter
and spring.
After weaning all wet and dry ewes were run together. They had access to a green pick on the display site area as well as
dry pasture residues elsewhere.
Lambs had access to dry paddock feed after weaning; in addition they were fed a Coprice pellet supplement at 0.2
kg/head/day (fed every few days) plus hay. They were all sold as store lambs in mid December.
4
Ewe weight & condition score
Breed Body wt
Fleece Free
26Feb2015
Condition score on
26Feb2015 at joining
Body wt Fleece Free 18May2015
Condition Score
18May2015
Body wt Fleece
Free 3Nov2015
Ewe CondnScr
3Nov2015, Both Wet &
Dry mobs
Border Leicester x Merino cross 56.2 3.5 58.1 4.0 65.0 3.0
Multimeat x Merino cross 47.5 3.0 51.9 3.8 61.4 3.0
Cashmore-Oaklea Performance Maternals 51.6 2.9 57.4 3.8 69.8 3.1
Merino LoddonValley 40.0 2.7 42.4 3.2 53.1 2.8
Leahcim Merino 41.8 2.7 45.0 3.2 57.0 3.0
CentrePlus Merino 40.5 2.8 42.8 3.1 56.5 3.2
Dry ewes were on average about 1 condition score fatter than ewes that reared a lamb. This needs to be considered when comparing condition scores, especially the Merino types with Border Leicester x Merino ewes.
Lambing as ewe lambs
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100Border Leicester x Merino
Multimeat x Merino
Cashmore-Oaklea Performance Maternals
Merino, Loddon Valley
Leahcim Merino
Centre Plus Merino
Ewe weightkg
Ewe weights, fleece free, from birth on farms of origin and after arrival at Elmore
The lines indicate the average weight of each group over time. A birth weight of 5kg was assumed for all teams. The average birth date was determined after discussions with the breeder of each team.
Dry ewes removed and run separately after preg scanning and marking
Lamb weaning
Preg. scanning
Ewes under 40kg not joined
Birth weights on home farms
Joining
15
7%
22
1%
12
9%
76
% 54
%
71
%
12
9%
17
8%
10
5% 7
9% 56
%
69
%
12
1%
14
2%
93
% 68
%
53
%
52
%
0%20%40%60%80%
100%120%140%160%180%200%220%240%
Border Leicesterx Merino crossEwe wt 56 kgCond Scr 3.5
Age 10.5 mths
Multimeatx Merino crossEwe wt 48 kgCond Scr 3.0Age 9.7 mths
CompositesCashmore-Oaklea
Ewe wt 52 kgCond Scr 2.9Age 8.1 mths
MerinoLoddon ValleyEwe wt 41 kgCond Scr 2.7
Age 10.3 mths
LeahcimMerino
Ewe wt 43 kgCond Scr 2.7
Age 10.2 mths
Centre PlusMerino
Ewe wt 42 kgCond Scr 2.8Age 7.3 mths
Preg scan rate
Lambs born
Lambs markedPercent
Lambing details 2015, Joining 26Feb, Preg scan 18 May, Mid lambing 12 Aug.Ewes not joined (under 40 kg) are not included in these analyses.
Details at joining: Ewe weight - fleece free, condition score and age at joining
5
Pregnancy scanning
2015 breeding season as ewe lambs, lambs under 40 kg were not joined. Ewes joined 26 Feb2015.
Team Ewe lamb age at mid joining, for
2015 joining.
Age in months
Average weight of
joined ewe lambs (lambs too light to join
not included)
kg
Ewes joined, ie 40
kg and above
Ewes scanned as
dry, (percent of
ewes joined)
Ewes scanned as
carrying singles,
(percent of ewes
joined)
Ewes scanned as
carrying twins,
(percent of ewes
joined)
Ewes scanned
as carrying
triplets or more,
(percent of ewes
joined)
Pregnancy scanning result for
joined ewes.
Number of foetus per
ewe joined
Lambs born percent
(lambs per ewe joined
and present at start of lambing)
Lambs marked percent
(lambs per ewe joined
and present at start of lambing)
BL x Merino cross 10.5 56.2 42 of 42 2.4% 42.9% 50.0% 4.8% 157% 129% 121%
Multimeat x Merino 9.7 48.2 36 of 42 7.9% 13.2% 31.6% 47.4% 221% 178% 142%
Cashmore-Oak PM 8.1 51.6 42 of 42 26.2% 21.4% 50.0% 2.4% 129% 105% 93%
Merino LV 10.3 41.0 28 of 42 29.0% 61.3% 9.7% 0.0% 76% 79% 68%
Leahcim Merino 10.2 42.6 36 of 42 48.6% 45.9% 5.4% 0.0% 54% 56% 53%
CentrePlus Merino 7.3 41.8 29 of 42 40.6% 46.9% 12.5% 0.0% 71% 69% 52%
Lamb weights
Wool
0
10
20
30
40
Border Leicester x MerinoMultimeat x MerinoCashmore-Oaklea Perf. MaternalsMerino, Loddon ValleyLeahcim MerinoCentre Plus Merino
Lamb weightkg
Lamb weights in the wool from birth to sale, 2015 dropNote: All lambs were by White Suffolk rams. Lambs were not weighed at birth, the assumed birth weight was 5 kg. There will be differences between the breeds and birth type (singles, twins or triplets). For example; it was obvious that the Multimeat x Merino cross ewes reared at least several sets of triplets that were lighter at birth,
Birth
Marking
Sale
4.764.19 3.79
5.01 4.86 5.26
01234567
Border Leicesterx Merino cross
Multimeatx Merino cross
Cashmore-OakleaPerf. Maternals
Merino,Loddon Valley
LeahcimMerino
Centre PlusMerino
Greasy fleece weight, Oct2015 shearingkg
Fleece weights were adjusted on a daily basis to reflect a common 'start' shearing date of 1Dec2014. Ewe lambs were delivered to Elmore from Dec2014 to Jan2015. Some teams were shorn on their home farm before delivery and some were shorn after arrival at Elmore. The actual shearing
date thus differed between property of origin.
6
The number of days wool growth from their first shearing as lambs to their second shearing at the field days in Oct 2105.
Breed Border
Leicester x Merino cross
Multimeat x Merino cross
Cashmore-Oaklea
Perf. Maternals
Merino, Loddon Valley
Leahcim Merino
Centre Plus Merino
Days of wool growth at
shearing
354 313 287 347 360 269
Note: Ewes were shorn over the Elmore Field Days from 6 to 8 October 2015. The date of their first shearing varied. Some teams were
shorn in October 2014 on their home farm, while others were shorn after delivery to Elmore. Ewes that had more wool at shearing, ie shorn early, would be expected to produce less wool per day than ewes shorn later, ie after delivery to Elmore. This is because twice
yearly shearing, as done on some farms, generally gives more wool over the complete year than one annual shearing. There will also be carryover effects from better nutrition before delivery to Elmore because ewes on good nutrition will continue to produce more wool per
day for up to 8 weeks than ewes on poorer nutrition after they are run together.
3.432.77 2.51
3.36 3.34 3.44
0
1
2
3
4
5
Border Leicesterx Merino cross
Multimeatx Merino cross
Cashmore-OakleaPerf. Maternals
Merino,Loddon Valley
LeahcimMerino
Centre PlusMerino
Clean fleece weight, Oct2015 shearingkg
Fleece weights were adjusted on a daily basis to reflect a common 'start' shearing date of 1Dec2014. Ewe lambs were delivered to Elmore from Dec2014 to Jan2015. Some teams were shorn on their home farm before delivery and some were shorn after arrival at Elmore. The actual shearing
date thus differed between property of origin.
27.7 25.8
33.0
18.3 18.6 17.5
05
101520253035
Border Leicesterx Merino cross
Multimeatx Merino cross
Cashmore-OakleaPerf. Maternals
Merino,Loddon Valley
LeahcimMerino
Centre PlusMerino
Fibre diameter, Oct2015 shearingmicron
Fleece weights were adjusted on a daily basis to reflect a common 'start' shearing date of 1Dec2014. Ewe lambs were delivered to Elmore from Dec2014 to Jan2015. Some teams were shorn on their home farm before delivery and some were shorn after arrival at Elmore. The actual shearing
date thus differed between property of origin.
$28.12$25.74
$13.91
$43.19 $42.40$44.74
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
Border Leicesterx Merino cross
Multimeatx Merino cross
Cashmore-OakleaPerf. Maternals
Merino,Loddon Valley
LeahcimMerino
Centre PlusMerino
Wool value, Oct2015 shearing$/head
Wool prices are the average of each diameter and type over the preceding year.
7
Bale core and grab sample measurements
Wool bale core tests, 2015 shearing Note: These sheep were shorn either before or after entry to the Elmore site, the days of wool growth for each team within a breed varies. This is especially true of staple length due to the different shearing date at their initial shearing.
Breed Border Leicester x
Merino
Multimeat x Merino
Cashmore-Oakley
Composites
Merino, Loddon Valley
Leahcim Merino
Centre Plus Merino
Bale brand AAAFX AAAFX AAACX AAAM AAAM AAAM
Fibre diameter Micron um 28.5 25.8 33.3 18.5 18.8 17.9
CV % 21.4 21.3 24.3 19.5 19.1 18.4
Comfort factor (% fibres under 30 um)
65.7 82.3 38.8 99.3 99.1 99.2
Curvature 53 68 63 55 53 55
Hauteur mm 100 85 84 76 86 74
Yield VM % 0.4 0.5 0.3 1.2 1.4 0.8
Sch dry yield % 77.3 71.1 66.7 69.3 68.9 65.9
Staple Length mm 118 101 86 98 110 86
CV% 13 17 15 12 13 18
Strength n/kt 37 35 35 41 32 50
Position of break Tip % 2 24 6 8 67 5
Mid % 50 66 89 79 31 70
Base % 48 10 5 13 2 25
AWEX ID XF5E XF5E XF5E MF4S MF4S MF4E Sale price, c/kg greasy 630 723 360 970 948 999
Sale price, c/kg clean 815 1017 540 1400 1376 1516
Additional details by team and breed . . .
Ewe weight and condition score Breed Team Body wt
FlcFre 26Feb2015
Condition score on
26Feb2015 at joining
Body wt FlcFre
18May2015
Condition Score
18May2015
Body wt FlcFre
3Nov2015
Ewe CondnScr
3Nov2015, Both Wet
& Dry mobs
Ewe CondnScr
3Nov2015, Ewes in
WET mob
Ewe CondnScr
3Nov2015, Ewes in
DRY mob
BorderLeicester x Merino cross 1 60.9 3.9 62.3 4.1 65.6 3.2 3.2 4.0
2 50.5 3.1 53.0 4.0 64.2 2.9 2.8 4.0
3 57.2 3.6 59.1 4.0 65.3 2.9 2.9
Breed average 56.2 3.5 58.1 4.0 65.0 3.0 3.0 4.0
Multimeat x Merino cross 4 52.5 3.0 58.2 3.9 66.1 2.9 2.8 4.0
5 39.5 2.9 43.2 3.7 55.5 3.3 2.8 3.7
6 50.6 3.1 54.4 3.9 62.6 2.7 2.5 3.8
Breed average 47.5 3.0 51.9 3.8 61.4 3.0 2.7 3.8
Cashmore-Oaklea Perf. Maternals 7 55.8 3.1 61.7 3.8 69.7 3.1 2.9 4.0
8 54.8 3.0 60.0 3.8 71.3 2.9 3.0 4.0
9 44.2 2.6 50.6 3.8 68.5 3.3 2.7 3.8
Breed average 51.6 2.9 57.4 3.8 69.8 3.1 2.9 3.9
Merino LoddonValley 10 35.5 2.6 37.2 3.1 50.3 3.0 2.3 3.3
11 40.8 2.7 43.5 3.3 56.7 3.1 2.8 3.2
12 43.7 2.7 46.5 3.3 52.3 2.3 2.1 3.5
Breed average 40.0 2.7 42.4 3.2 53.1 2.8 2.4 3.3
Leahcim Merino 13 37.4 2.6 40.8 3.2 53.9 3.2 2.5 3.3
14 45.6 2.8 49.3 3.5 60.5 2.8 2.7 3.8
15 42.4 2.7 44.9 3.1 56.5 2.9 2.1 3.3
Breed average 41.8 2.7 45.0 3.2 57.0 3.0 2.4 3.4
CentrePlus Merino 16 40.7 2.8 43.3 3.2 57.9 3.5 2.9 3.5
17 41.7 2.8 43.5 3.3 56.6 3.1 2.9 3.3
18 39.0 2.6 41.6 2.8 55.1 3.0 2.5 3.3
Breed average 40.5 2.8 42.8 3.1 56.5 3.2 2.8 3.4
8
Wool
4.7
7
4.8
4
4.6
6
4.2
8
3.9
4
4.3
5 3.9
5 3.4
9
3.9
2
4.8
5
5.4
1 4.7
7
4.9
0
4.8
6
4.8
2
5.4
4
5.1
5
5.2
04.7
6 4.1
9 3.7
9
5.0
1
4.8
6
5.2
6
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Individual team
Breed average
Fleece weights were adjusted on a daily basis to reflect a common 'start' shearing date of 1Dec2014. Ewe lambs were delivered to Elmore from Dec2014 to Jan2015. Some teams were shorn on their home farm before delivery and some were shorn after arrival at Elmore. The actual shearing
date thus differed between property of origin.
Greasy fleece weight, Oct2015 shearing
kg
3.4
4
3.4
9
3.3
6 2.8
3
2.6
0
2.8
8
2.6
2 2.3
1
2.6
0
3.2
8
3.6
2 3.1
8
3.3
7
3.3
4
3.3
1
3.5
6
3.3
7
3.3
8
3.4
3
2.7
7
2.5
1
3.3
6
3.3
4
3.4
4
0
1
2
3
4
5
Individual team
Breed average
Fleece weights were adjusted on a daily basis to reflect a common 'start' shearing date of 1Dec2014. Ewe lambs were delivered to Elmore from Dec2014 to Jan2015. Some teams were shorn on their home farm before delivery and some were shorn after arrival at Elmore. The actual shearing
date thus differed between property of origin.
Clean fleece weight, Oct2015 shearing
kg
29
.5 26
.5
27
.2
26.3 24.1
27
.1
29
.6
34
.0
35.3
17
.7
19
.1
18
.2
18.2
19
.0
18
.6
17
.5
17.7
17
.5
27
.7
25
.8
33.0
18
.3
18
.6
17
.5
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Individual team
Breed average
Fleece weights were adjusted on a daily basis to reflect a common 'start' shearing date of 1Dec2014. Ewe lambs were delivered to Elmore from Dec2014 to Jan2015. Some teams were shorn on their home farm before delivery and some were shorn after arrival at Elmore. The actual shearing
date thus differed between property of origin.
Fibre diameter, Oct2015 shearing
micron