LAMBING percentages across SA have defied the dry season, with most producers reporting more lambs on the ground this year.
A strong focus on ewe nutrition and fewer cold snaps during lambing has maximised lamb survival but the focus has turned to weaning lambs.
The June Meat & Livestock Australia and Australian Wool Innovation wool and sheepmeat survey indicated the total number of lambs on-hand at the end of the financial year lifted 2 per cent compared with the same period last year, to 25 million, driven by an increase in lamb marking rates.
In SA there was an 8pc increase in expected lamb sales to 1.7m despite total breeding ewes dropping 1pc to 6.6m. Victor Harbor livestock consultant Tim Prance said many producers were attributing their slightly above average lambing percentages to mild lambing conditions.
But he said another major factor was the knowledge producers had gained from participating in AWI-funded Lifetime Ewe Management courses, and the nutritional advice from industry consultants which they were putting into practice.
"It is always hard to put a figure on lambing percentages but overall they would be a bit better than the year before," he said. "Producers are maintaining their ewes in better condition and the condition is not varying so much during pregnancy.
"If anything, there might have been a few more dystocias this year from ewes carrying too much condition in late pregnancy but the lamb deaths are a lot less than usual."
He was "very impressed" by producers' feed budgeting and investment in supplementary feeding their ewes to ensure results.
"The good prices for sheep and lambs have made a significant difference - producers are prepared to spend money on their sheep," he said. "That is the difference between the dry this year and 2006 when prices really dropped off."
Agri Partner Consulting's Hamish Dickson, Clare, said most of their autumn lambing clients in the Mid and Upper North had improved lambing percentages.
"With many areas having very little pasture growth last spring, clients were on the front foot planning their supplementation strategy for ewes in late pregnancy and most ewes had come through autumn and winter in good condition," he said.
Most lambs were growing out well, but it entirely depended on ewe condition and lactation.
"From now on we need suitable weaning paddocks for autumn lambing flocks with good quality feed to keep lambs growing well," he said.
Mr Dickson said it was pleasing to see strong interest from clients looking at improving flock management, nutrition, genetics and technology to boost their profits.
