With the winter months upon us producers are taking extra precautions to ensure stock remains in excellent condition. As temperatures plummet across southern Australia, the Kondinin Group is reminding sheep producers to keep a watchful eye on their weaners.
Research on weaner survival produced by Australian Wool Innovation's Lifetime Ewe Management program shows that Merino wether survival improves markedly after the 100-day mark.
The research found that weaners in southern Australia were also threatened during late autumn and winter.
Program Coordinator with SheepConnect Warren Hunt advises producers to carefully monitor their weaners during winter.
"Ensure mobs are observed regularly, growth rates are maintained and worms are kept under control."
"As temperatures drop and pasture growth slows down in southern regions producers need to monitor weaners to ensure adequate growth rates," Mr Hunt said.
"Merino weaners need to achieve a threshold growth rate of one kilogram per month (30 grams per day) to avoid losses, although rates of 100g per day or more are ideal."
If pasture availability runs low, supplementary grain feeding may be needed.
Intestinal worms are the second key danger factor for weaners when winter strikes.
"Losses to high worm burdens are a risk during winter and regular testing and drenching can help prevent weaner losses from worms," Mr Hunt said.
Above all, Mr Hunt advises producers to monitor their weaners and combine visual observations with liveweight confirmation - using scales.
Primary Industries Industry and Investment NSW Sheep and Wool officer Sally Martin, based in Young, said all stock require extra attention during the cooler temperatures.
"For sheep off shears, 20 percent additional feed will be a minimum requirement even in relatively mild conditions," Ms Martin said.
"Chill can continue to have a significant influence on energy requirements until the fleece length is approximately 3cm.
"These considerations will be particularly important for pregnant ewes and young sheep," Ms Martin said.
Ms Martin said that feeding good quality hay (roughage) is the best source of extra feed during cold stress periods, as there is no risk of grain poisoning from increased feeding rates and digestion occurs over a longer period of time and raises the body temperature for longer.
"Ad lib feeding is necessary to achieve maximum intake," Ms Martin said.
"Lupins are the only grain which can be fed at rapidly increased rates (quantities) without risk of grain poisoning.
"If a high cereal grain diets are being fed, often in bad weather (cold/wet/wind) conditions sheep will go off feed for a period of time (days), this is where a good quality hay will provide a sufficient source of energy and protein during this time and avoid grain poisoning problems when they return to the cereal grain diet.
"Sheep grazing on young fresh pasture or cereal crops will be high in moisture content (low dry matter percentage), including good quality hay will assist in slowing the rumen function down while still providing a quality feed source," she said.
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