The Benefits

The identification of single and twin bearing ewes and the correct management of these ewes and their progeny will result in:

Higher lamb turnoff as a result of:

• improved lamb survival,
• selection of the most fertile ewes,
• reduced ewe death rates,
• Identification of problems contributing to low lamb marking performance.

Better quality lambs as a result of:

• heavier weaners  (fewer, “tail end” lambs),

More efficient use of pasture and supplementary feed leading to:

• reduced feeding costs,
• improved drought management.

Improved overall flock management as a result of:

• the separation of ewes pregnant to AI from those pregnant to a backup ram.
• the separation of early and late lambing ewes.

Improved quality of the wool produced as a result of:

• higher S/P ratios,
• higher secondary follicle population,
• lower mean fibre diameter,
• lower CV of fibre diameter,
• reduced moisture penetration,
• reduced dust penetration,
• increased staple strength.

The Pitfalls

Accuracy

Scanning will not pay if it is not accurate and if it is not accurate it is better not to scan at all. Where there are single bearing ewes in twin mobs and twin lambing ewes in single mobs, there will be increased ewe and lamb death rates.

Management of the Ewes after Scanning

After the single and twin bearing ewes have been identified, it is very important to put the correct management programs into place.