Maiden ewes represent a large part of the ewe flock, at an average of ≈30% of breeding ewes. They have the best genetics, however achieving good reproductive outcomes from these ewes remains a challenge for many producers. The difference between the reproductive rate of maiden ewes and their older counterparts is usually around 20%, but this can be considerably higher in some cases.
The Magnificent Maidens producer demonstration site (PDS) project aims to demonstrate best-practice management of maiden ewes to improve their reproductive performance and narrow the gap between the reproductive performance of maiden and older ewes.
The project includes six demonstration sites across southern Australia where producers are comparing the reproductive performance of maiden ewes managed based on current best-practice versus traditional management for the farm. Each host property involves two groups of at least 200 maiden ewes. One group of ewes is allocated to ‘normal’ treatment i.e. fed as per traditional management for maidens at the farm and the second group is allocated to ‘best-bet’ management, where ewes are fed 30% greater energy and protein than the ‘normal’ group during their maiden joining. The maiden ewes are weighed and condition scored at key stages of the reproductive cycle as a maiden plus pregnancy scanning results are collected at their second joining at 2.5 years old.
Preliminary data analysis found that reproductive rate increased by an average of 2.2% for every 1kg increase in weight at joining and by an average of 7.3% for every 100g/day increase in weight gain during joining. Economic analysis demonstrated that improvements in joining weight could be profitable when feed supply was less than $0.03/ME. Hence, producers should look to increase ewe weight at joining when feed is cheap to maximise the reproductive benefit. Producers should also aim to increase weight gain during joining to increase reproductive rates. Scanning results collected from ewes joined for a second time at 2.5 years of age found that, in most cases, there was a small carry-over benefit of improved nutrition of maiden ewes on their scanning results at their second joining.
The results from this project will inform a cost-benefit analysis to confirm the value of ‘best-bet’ management techniques for maiden ewes across a range of genotypes and farm enterprises. Current ‘best-bet’ management guidelines will also be updated for extension to the sheep industry.
Project updates, blogs, webinars and case study videos can be accessed at the Magnificent Maidens space on The Hub. This space also allows producers and industry members to ask questions and share their thoughts.
