Welcome to episode 10 of the MLA Productivity and Profitability media series. This episode features Anne Collins of AC Ag Consulting. Anne talks about how to maximise dorper reproductive performance, particularly in challenging environments. 

Your host, Tanisha Shields and Anne discuss how to utilise condition scoring as a management tool to inform decision making, the importance of pregnancy scanning and how to use the scanning results to improve flock reproductive performance. 

Shedding sheep breeds are a relatively easy-care, low labour input, enterprise option for producers, particularly mixed farmers who have multiple enterprises competing for their time.  The number of lambs weaned is the key profit driver for a shedding sheep enterprise.

Anne talks about the results of a Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) project, including how the adoption of improved management practices in the annually joined flock including: monitoring of ewe condition score; pregnancy scanning; differential management of single and twin bearing ewes; culling scanned empty ewes; ram and ewe soundness checking prior to joining; and timely weaning, resulted in an increase in conception rate in the monitored group of ewes from 125% to 159%. 

The key take home messages for listeners from this episode are: 
1.       Learn how to condition score your animals, actually do it and use the results to make management decisions.

2.       Ensure both rams and ewes are fit to join prior to mating through the use of physical examinations and attention to nutrition

3.       Pregnancy scan ewes and manage accordingly. Quit or remate empties, feed twins, manage singles. Wet/dry ewes at lamb marking.

To watch our webinar with Anne head to: Productivity & Profitability series | Meat & Livestock Australia (mla.com.au)

To read the full PDS report head to: https://www.mla.com.au/research-and-development/reports/2023/l.pds.2017---pds-maximising-dorper-reproductive-performance/

To learn more about the MLA Donor Company project - Quantifying and improving reproductive performance of shedding sheep head to www.mla.com.au/shedding-sheep/ .  Those interested in receiving occasional email updates should send their contact details to [email protected]. 

This episode is brought to you by Agrista in partnership with Meat and Livestock Australia.