Most detailed longitudinal study in Australia
Thirty years of flock reproductive data from Trangie Research Station resource flocks have been analysed to provide the most detailed longitudinal study of sheep reproduction in Australia. Some highlights of the study which will be reported in a series of publications include:
• Average lamb losses to weaning were about 20 per cent of single births and almost 30 per cent to multiple births.
• After weaning, only 5-6 per cent of animals died in the next 12 months, although the figure was very variable across years.
• Lifetime performance of ewes within a flock shows extreme variation with the top 25pc of the flock producing almost 140pc lambs weaned annually while the bottom 25pc produce less than 30pc lambs weaned each year over their lifetime.
• Average lamb losses to weaning were about 20 per cent of single births and almost 30 per cent to multiple births.
• After weaning, only 5-6 per cent of animals died in the next 12 months, although the figure was very variable across years.
• Lifetime performance of ewes within a flock shows extreme variation with the top 25pc of the flock producing almost 140pc lambs weaned annually while the bottom 25pc produce less than 30pc lambs weaned each year over their lifetime.
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