The traits in the Lambpro operation, based on “Sonning”, are being fine-tuned to create the new Lambpro Maternal line of sheep – an easy-care production unit which can be joined at a young age and grow a lamb into a saleable product in a short timeframe, said Lambpro manager, Tom Bull.

Mr Bull said the Lambpro process included three steps: scan pregnant ewes for lambing potential; optimise lamb survival; then make them grow like steam – it’s that simple.

He said most people sold their lambs at four to eight months of age and anything after that was antagonistic.

“With our sheep we’re really trying to bend the growth curve,” he said.

Attention was also paid to birthweight with a goal of 5.5 kilograms for twin lambs to decrease their vulnerability to exposure.

This was a combination of genetics and pregnancy scanning so ewes could be divided into groups based on potential number of lambs and managed accordingly.

Lambpro has even developed its own Lambplan index for its targeted markets and is presently aiming for its ewe flock to have produced the equivalent of 80 per cent of its own body weight in lambs in a 100-day period, he said.

“The key is to cap ewe weight and get an early growth path in the lamb,” he said.

The low ewe weight was important for reducing maintenance costs, particularly in the periods when ewes weren’t raising a lamb, and this was being achieved without jeopordising lamb performance.

Mr Bull said breeders needed to be aware that while it was relatively easy to breed a high growth animal, it was also easy to forget about efficiency.

“That to me is going to be the next phase in the Australian industry – efficiency, not just production,” he said.

* Don’t miss the Prime Lamb Annual liftout in The Land on Thursday.

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