Publication Date

9-2024

Series Number

DPIRD-117

Publisher

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

City

Perth

Abstract

Despite potentially elevated grain prices, strong prices for meat and wool mean that Western Australian sheep farmers can confidently supplementary feed their underweight ewes in summer/autumn.

Analysis in 2019, based on then-current prices, showed it was a profitable investment to feed all ewes to maintain condition during pregnancy, and to feed low condition score single bearing ewes and low and medium condition score twin bearing ewes to gain condition.

In 2019, John Young from Farming Systems Analysis Service completed an analysis on the value of a ewe in the WA farming system. His report had some important messages for the 2020 season.

"This coming summer/ autumn, the feed shortage due to dry conditions and potentially higher supplementary grain prices may tempt local farmers to underfeed their ewes,” said Mr Young. “However, farmers need to consider the cost of mismanaging ewe nutrition.”

Mr Young used 2019 prices to update the economic analysis he carried out in 2011 for Lifetime Ewe Management (LTEM), the nationally recognised course in better ewe management and lamb survival.

Number of Pages

3

Keywords

Sheep breeding, Ewes, Ewe breeding, Wool, Meat, Farming, Farm economics

Disciplines

Agribusiness | Agricultural Economics | Agricultural Science | Agronomy and Crop Sciences | Meat Science | Natural Resources Management and Policy | Sheep and Goat Science | Sustainability

Maps

Maps are not included as part of the complete document download. If this report contains a map, it will be available in the individual parts list below.

Download

Share

 
COinS