Weaning
Weaning is a key time in the calendar for both the ewe and the lamb, and a few key steps will help your weaners thrive and ewes recover for next joining.
Wean to manage, don’t manage to wean! Weaning is one of the most critical times in the sheep reproduction calendar – for both the ewe and the lamb. Effective management of weaning supports the lifetime productivity of lambs and allows ewes to recover condition before the next joining period.
Joining length, feed quality, ewe condition, time of weaning, target weaning weight and average daily weight gain all play a role in the success of weaning. The benchmark for weaner survival is 95% or better from weaning to 1 year of age. Guidelines for best practice weaner management are outlined in the weaning management checklist and resources below.
Winning With Weaners workshop
AWI’s Winning With Weaners one-day workshop helps woolgrowers identify key management strategies to improve the lifetime performance of their Merino weaners. The workshop is run on a demand basis through the state-based AWI Extension networks – if you’d like the workshop to be run in your region, contact your AWI Extension Network and let them know. In this Beyond the Bale article (March 2024), woolgrowers Tony Overton of Walcha and Rob Kelly of Guyra explain how their Merino enterprises benefited after they attended a Winning With Weaners workshop.
Winning With Weaners - Online
AWI has recorded a one-hour version of the Winning With Weaners workshop. It covers the highlights of the workshop and is available to view by growers at any time of the year.
Making More From Sheep – Module 10, Wean More Lambs
This module provides the framework and guidelines to set in place all the important management steps to improve flock reproduction rates and lamb survival to weaning.
AWI Change Makers Episode 2: Weaning to manage
Wean to manage, don’t manage to wean. Weaning is important for the ewe and the lamb to manage ewe condition and lamb growth rates for a lifetime of productivity.
Join Nathan Scott as he outlines why timely weaning is important, practical management tips and what you can do in #AWIChangeMakers Episode 2: Weaning to manage.
STANDARD REFERENCE WEIGHT CALCULATOR
AWI’s Standard Reference Weight Calculator allows you to calculate the SRW for your flock, allowing for more accurate feed budgeting and management decisions.
FEED BUDGET TABLES FOR MERINO WEANERS
Use AWI’s Feed Budget Tables for Merino Weaners to first set your Target Weaning Weight and liveweight targets, then understand your weaners’ requirements based on the quality and quantity of feed you have available.
WEANER MANAGEMENT CHECKLIST
