2024 Spring seasonal update

Rams give interesting lambing and post weaning results

At the 2024 ewe joining we obtained a shedding breed ram from a high performance Lambplan flock as a “link” sire. A link sire helps to compare our Moffitts Farm Lambplan ewe and ram Terminal Carcase Production (TCP) indexes against other shedding breeds individuals indexes. Sheep Genetics explains “Linkage is where genes are represented across multiple environments, generally through the use of common sires between flocks, years and groups. Linkage provides a genetic benchmark so that genetic merit can be compared across flocks and environments, allowing the delivery of across-flock Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs)”.

What stood out with this link sire was its TCP index being considerably higher than our rams. Did that make a difference to the rams’ progeny growth performance?

We have found have the TCP index as a useful guide to genetic selection of our replacement ewes and rams but the issue of differences between how flocks are managed and the pasture species and management impacting feed quality and palatability therefore daily herbage consumption has to be recognised. How effectly do TCP indexes between flock in different environments take account of such environmental differences – they are supposed to do so?

The MLA’s Sheep Producers Intentions Survey October 2024 review of sheep farmers intentions for 2025 provided some information about shedding breeds for the first time. That’s because more farmers are switching to them with the Survey showing 23% of sheep farmers had shedding sheep with 8% of the total lamb flock being shedders. Not surprising this is higher than the number of sheep farmers running first cross flocks given the low value of crossbred wool and the costs involved in shearing, crutching and wool marketing.

The startling result in the Survey was the lamb marking rates quoted with the shedding breeds achieving 92%, first cross breeds 93% and prime lamb breeds 113%. Merinos marking rate was 81%.(The number of respondents answering was 2,203). Moffitts Farm lamb weaning rate in 2024 was 174%  while it was 173% in 2023 and has been above 140% since 2019.

The lamb marking rate gap for Moffitts Farm Wiltipolls and the average of other shedding breeds is enormous and reflects the environmental advantages our management of a small flock in a moderate/high rainfall zone where year round green perennial pastures can provide stable nutrition. These environmental conditions are in sharp contrast to much larger shedding breed flocks being run in the pastoral zones in NSW, SA and south west Qld.

The use of a link sire gave us the opportunity to assess the Moffitts Farm ram progeny performance against a sire with a much higher Lambplan TCP index. As Table 1 shows the higher link sire’s index has not as yet produced any better progeny growth performance.

Table 1: Comparison of three Moffitts Farm Wiltipoll sires and one shedding breed link sire for 2024 drop lamb and weaner growth performance.

As a result of the link sire having a significantly higher Terminal Carcase Production (TCP) index his progeny have higher TCPs compared to the Moffitts Farm sires progeny. But as Table 1 shows average weaning weights of the four rams is similar and the first post weaning weight gains (4 weeks post weaning) show ram Moffitts 2 growth rates similar to the link sire.

There are two other management genetic characteristics worth noting. Firstly birth weights of the link sire seem moderately high compared to the Moffitts rams. This is an important management trait especially when ewes are carrying a high percentage of twins, as lower birth weights, within reason, lower the risk of dystocia. We find twins born at an average 4.4kg (range 3.3 to 5.6kg) mean lower dystocia incidents as do singles with 5.1kg average birth weight (range 4.1 to 6.8). We now look out for what are known as “curve bender” individuals – born with a slightly below the average birth weight but grow faster than average up to weaning and post weaning. Note we manage ewes with singles, twins and triplets all the same during pregnancy and do not pregnancy scan. Our objective is to retain ewes in condition score 3 – 4 from joining to birthing and during lactation. Good pasture based nutrition over this period is not contributing to increased dystocia in single bearing ewes but is contributing to excellent lamb survival during the critical birthing period and subsequent 48 hours.

Figure 1: Pregnant ewes are not scanned and are managed to retain a minimum score 3 body condition during joining and pregnancy and a rising plane of pasture nutrition for lambing. Incidence of dystocia amongst single bearing ewes is low while twin lamb survival is exceptionally high. Lambing of all ewes took 23 days in 2024 despite a five week ram joining. Photo Patrick Francis 21 August 2024

The second management issue of note is the average wool shedding scores for the link sire progeny versus the Moffitts rams progeny assessed 4 weeks post weaning. The link sires progeny were significantly woollier. For us 100% shedding is a compulsory trait for all breeding stock because it ensures there is very low genetic risk of their progeny having what is termed a “rug” on its back as an adult. A “rug” is an open invitation for possible body fly strike especially in high rainfall districts like Romsey which have moderate probability of summer storms. We note that Wiltipoll sheep generally have an advantage with a high percentage of 100% shedding animals compared with some other shedding breeds.

There seems to be multiple genes involved in wool shedding which depending on the combination received from the sire and dam can provide a range of shedding scores in progeny which are now part of the data Moffitts Farm provides to Lambplan. An interesting observation we have with shedding genetics is that the progeny of a 100% shedding ewe sired by 100% shed phenotype ram can score poorly for shedding and carry a rug. In other words shedding phenotype can be deceptive.

Bungee collars

This year we started replacing our original cow hide leather collars with bungee (shock) cord and it has so far worked well. The bungee cord collars are simple to make, stretch as winter wool grows and are easy to put on compared with the leather cords secured with a cable tie. Also they are far less expensive. The large management tag hole threaded onto each collars needs to be drilled to fit the 6mm diameter cord. The ends of the cord are sealed by burning.

Figure 2A. A bungee cord collar are replacing the cow hide collars.

Figure 2B. The bungee cord collar ends are secured together using two wire netting clips. No buttons are needed for the management tags as the hole is drilled to accommodate the 6mm cord and the tag threaded on. Photos: Patrick Francis. August 24

Rainfall erratic

A distinguishing feature of the 2024 spring and summer has been erratic rainfall with the constant feeling that spring would fail. Fortunately our district had two timely rainfalls 44mm in early October after a dry September and another 35mm in late November after four more weeks of no rain. These two falls allowed our increasing area of chicory and perennial clovers pastures to grow exceptionally well and be rested from grazing for eight before weaning lambs into them.

Figure 3: Lambs are weaned onto chicory, perennial clover and perennial grass pastures on 20 November. Just in time rains allowed these pastures to grow high quality highly digestible pastures which assist in lowering each animal’s greenhouse gas emissions per kg of body weight. These lambs average 12 weeks of age and are beginning to shed their wool. Photo: Patrick Francis.

The uncertainty around rainfall in spring meant two paddocks prepared during September for sowing to chicory, perennial clovers and ryegrass/cocksfoot/phalaris were not sown.in October. However an optimistic rainfall forecast for December meant we took the risk and sowed one of the paddocks with a chicory, perennial clovers and perennial grasses mix. With one rain two days after sowing the chicory germinated, but no followup rain has fallen. The wood ducks and kangaroos are the most likely beneficiaries of this sowing unless rain falls in early January 2025

Dry warm to hot conditions during December and into the new year is putting pressure on lamb finishing pastures.

Environment

Figure 4: Family members planting a paddock centre revegetation semi-circle in November. The purpose of these plantings is to encourage more biodiversity across the farm as well as providing centre paddock shade for livestock. The majority of plants are flowering shrubs to provide food for bees, other insects and birds. Photo: Patrick Francis.

There were two stand-out wildlife events over spring. Firstly, a large number of straw necked ibis, white ibis, grey herons and Pacific herons frequented short pastures especially after topping with a slasher through September, October and November. It is interesting how these birds are attracted to shorter pastures compared to the longer grazing rest pastures. They even foraged on a herbicide sprayed pasture awaiting pasture renovation. To the naked eye such a pasture did not look like a particularly rich forage area but pasture cockchafers under the surface were their likely food target.

Figure 5: Straw necked ibis were frequently seen feeding in short pastures as well as this sprayed pasture awaiting renovation. Photo: Patrick Francis.

As usual in mid spring the fan tailed cuckoo arrived at the same time as hairy caterpillars on pastures. The cuckoo has a magnificent distinctive call and stays until around mid November.

A missing component of bird life in spring this year were grey shrike thrush. They are usually seen and heard from late winter to mid summer. Pairs often nest in the workshop using previously built nests. Apart from a few early sightings in spring, none nested in the sheds this year?

Figure 6: Fan tailed cuckoos arrive on Moffitts Farm on the same date in mid September each year and leave in November. Photo: Rod Phillips.

Mid-September also marks the emergence of copperhead snakes around the farm. It is interesting they are regularly seen for approximately eight weeks before mostly disappearing.

In mid-December it was exciting to hear and see a pair of sparrow hawks nesting in an old pine tree in the riparian zone. They must have had young in the nest as they would swoop people walking anywhere near the tree. Sparrow hawks are regular nesters on the farm each late spring and summer.

Figure 6: A pair of sparrow hawks nested on Moffitts Farm during December. Photo: Rod Phillips.