Supplementary feeding strategies for lamb survival
This AWI/MLA funded project will develop best practice recommendations for supplementary feeding ewes during lambing. The first stage of the project will assess whether self-feeders or trail feeding lead to better lamb survival.
WHAT'S INVOLVED?
Participation in an on-farm research trial investigating the effect of supplementary feeding method on lamb survival.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
Receive property-specific information to help improve productivity and increase lamb survival.
REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION
- 300+ single- and 160+ multiple-bearing ewes
- Access to a self-feeder
- Supplementary feeding during lambing
- Located in NSW, SA, VIC or WA
CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Serina Hancock, Murdoch University
0403 570 823
s.hancock@murdoch.edu.au
Novel Semiochemical Approach to Control Sheep Blowfly
By better understanding key factors, like the attractant compounds in fleece rot, that attract the fly to vulnerable sheep, this project is aiming to develop a highly targeted new fly lure technology to reduce the build-up of sheep blowfly populations.
WHAT'S INVOLVED?
Participation in a series of questionnaires.
Non-invasive sampling of breech areas of flystruck sheep with fleece rot, including skin swabs, wool samples and collection of maggots/flies over three flystrike seasons.
Fly traps set up on your property.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
A written summary on the flystrike trends specific to your property and sheep provided each season and the opportunity to discuss these findings with the project team.
REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION
- Fleece rot issues
- Located in NSW, SA, TAS, VIC or WA
CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Michelle Harvey, Deakin University
michelle.harvey@deakin.edu.au
Informed modelling of sheep blowfly chemical resistance
This project will develop updated, consistent, and reliable resistance management advice to woolgrowers. This advice will help prolong the effectiveness of existing chemical products, whilst avoiding or delaying the development of resistance of flies to them.
WHAT'S INVOLVED?
Collection of 60+ maggots from flystruck sheep to submit for laboratory testing.
Completion of a submission sheet, including your recent history of fly and lice treatments.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
Free chemical resistance testing and explanation of your results from the lead researcher.
REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION
- Flystruck sheep
- Good records of recent history of fly and lice treatment use
CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Narelle Sales, NSW DPI
narelle.sales@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Genetics of Foot Health
The project aims to release a research breeding value and eventually an Australian ASBV for resistance to footrot and inform the Australian Merino industry on appropriate selection strategies for each of the foot conditions examined.
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WHAT'S INVOLVED?
Entry of a semen sire into the central progeny test where progeny will be evaluated for foot traits and footrot.
Contribution of eight cull rams per sire that will be challenged to OID and footrot.
The project will use progeny born in 2023, 2024 and 2025 at each site, with at least 8 progeny per sire per year required for assessment. The progeny will be monitored for OID and foot abscesses between about 100 and 300 days of age.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
Gain early access to the footrot resistance Research Breeding Value, for benchmarking and selection, prior to the release of the ASBV.
Gain early phenotypic data on feet scores and correlations with production data.
REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION
- Ram breeder
- Provision of semen + delivery free of charge
- Entrance fee
- Transport costs to research site
CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Amy Lockwood, neXtgen Agri
amy@nextgenagri.com
Jarryd Krog, Murdoch University
jarryd.krog@murdoch.edu.au
AWI Flystrike Genomics Reference Flock
This project is to collect and analyse DNA and on-farm data related to breech and body flystrike to inform the development of a genomically enhanced Flystrike ASBV.
WHAT'S INVOLVED?
Collection of flystrike data from genotyped animals from now until June 2025.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
100% rebate on the cost of genotyping flystruck animals and cost of supplying data (funding will be allocated on a competitive basis).
Access to Flystrike Research Breeding Value, prior to the release of the ASBV.
REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION
- Ram breeders who currently, or plan to, record flystrike occurrence within their flock and genotype a portion of each drop.
CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Ben Swain, BCS Agribusiness
0427 100 542
ben.swain@bcsagribusiness.com.au
Australian Merino Sire Evaluation
Eight site committees join sires over an even line of commercial ewes to evaluate sire's progeny up to 2 years of age.
WHAT'S INVOLVED?
Sires are evaluated for a broad range of visual and objective measures.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
Breeders can independently and publicly evaluate within and across flock, a sire in a specific environment, increase linkage with MERINOSELECT and the Merino Genomic Reference Flock
REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION
- Ram breeder
- Located in NSW, SA, VIC or WA
CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Ben Swain, BCS Agribusiness
0427 100 542
ben.swain@bcsagribusiness.com.au
