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The Challenge

The Challenge. Maintaining ewe and lamb performance while increasing stocking rate 50%. Past Production. Home June 2000 22000 dse – 470cows/ 5000 ewes Lambing June Buying in 1 st cross ewes. Need for change. Sheep boom 01- 02 Land price dissociated from return

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The Challenge

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  1. The Challenge Maintaining ewe and lamb performance while increasing stocking rate 50%

  2. Past Production • Home June 2000 • 22000 dse – 470cows/ 5000 ewes • Lambing June • Buying in 1st cross ewes

  3. Need for change • Sheep boom 01- 02 • Land price dissociated from return • Had to chase profitability to justify land price • Depreciation on sheep trading hit $10/ dse

  4. Key changes -2005 • Mapped pasture curve to match feed demand to pasture supply • Changed calving to July/August in 2005 • Maternal rams used over 1st cross ewes • Scanned for twins

  5. 2006 - 6000 ewes, 600 cows and Lifetime Ewe (LTEM) • Group of 5 local producers • Condition scoring & ME budgeting

  6. Comparing 03/04 (5000 ewes) to 2010/11 (7800 ewes)

  7. What I’ve learned • Scanning is one of the best management tools available • Better to feed early and often – even throughout lambing • Lamb twin bearing ewes in small mobs • Proactive management of ewe condition is critical

  8. Conclusion • Significant lift in stocking rate and gross margin is possible without large per head performance penalties provided ME budgets are adhered to.

  9. Acknowledgements • Ian, Jan and George Harvey • David Rendell • Darren Gordon • Jason Trompf

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