Abstract:
Proc. Aust. Soc. Anim. Prod. Vol. 18 GROWTH OF WEANER SHEEP IN RESPONSE TO HAND FEEDING AND STOCKI NG RATES ON FARMS IN THE LOW RAINFALL WHEATBELT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA In the low rainfall wheatbelt of Western Australia the quality and quantity of feed is limited during summer and autumn. Little, however, has been documented The aim of this on how farmers manage the feed supply for their weaner sheep. study was to measure the growth of Merino weaners over summer and autumn under different management strategies to identify problems that require future research and extension. In January 1989, 100 ewes aged 7 to 11 months were selected at random in each The of 10 Merino weaner flocks in the Merredin area (260 km east of Perth). weaners were weighed and condition scored at 4-5 week intervals for 8 months. Table 1 Effect of supplementation and stocking rate on the change in live weight and condition score of Merino ewe weaners over the summer/autumn period of 1989 in the Eastern wheatbelt of Western Australia Each flock had a condition score exceeding 2.5 by late autumn. Variation in live weight between flocks was 16.6 kg in mid summer and 11.6 kg in late autumn (Table 1). This resulted from different rates of supplementary feeding and varying access to cereal stubbles. In general, the lower the whole farm stocking rate in summer, the less grain supplements were fed due to greater access to stubbles. An economic evaluation is needed to determine which strategy maximizes profits. The live weights in mid summer of some autumn born flocks was lower than expected, suggesting sub-optimal management of weaner flocks on dry pasture prior to stubbles becoming available. This needs further investigation. * Sheep and Wool Branch, Dryland Research Institute, Merredin, W.A. 6415. 541
