Reproductive performance in the Sheep CRC Information Nucleus using artificial insemination across different sheep-production environments in southern Australia
K. G. Geenty A K , F. D. Brien B , G. N. Hinch A , R. C. Dobos C , G. Refshauge D , M. McCaskill E , A. J. Ball F , R. Behrendt E , K. P. Gore G , D. B. Savage A , S. Harden H , J. E. Hocking-Edwards I , K. Hart J and J. H. J. van der Werf A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Sheep CRC, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
B South Australian Research and Development Institute, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia.
C NSW Department of Primary Industries, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
D NSW Department of Primary Industries, Cowra, NSW 2794, Australia.
E Department of Primary Industries, Hamilton, Vic. 3300, Australia.
F Meat and Livestock Australia, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
G Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
H NSW Department of Primary Industries, Tamworth Agricultural Institute, NSW 2340, Australia.
I South Australian Research and Development Institute, Struan Research Centre, SA 5271, Australia.
J Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia, Narrogin, WA 6312, Australia.
K Corresponding author. Email: kgeenty@une.edu.au
Animal Production Science 54(6) 715-726 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN11323
Submitted: 22 November 2011 Accepted: 15 May 2013 Published: 9 July 2013
Abstract
The present paper covers reproductive performance in an artificial-insemination (AI) program of the Sheep CRC Information Nucleus with 24 699 lambs born at eight locations in southern Australia across five lambings between 2007 and 2011. Results from AI with frozen semen compared well with industry standards for natural mating. Conception rates averaged 72%, and 1.45 lambs were born per ewe pregnant for Merino ewes and 1.67 for crossbreds. Lamb deaths averaged 21% for Merino ewes and 15% for crossbreds and 19%, 22% and 20% for lambs from ewes that were mated to terminal, Merino and maternal sire types, respectively. Net reproductive rates were 82% for Merino ewes and 102% for crossbreds. From 3198 necropsies across 4 years, dystocia and starvation-mismothering accounted for 72% of lamb deaths within 5 days of lambing. Major risk factors for lamb mortality were birth type (single, twin or higher order), birthweight and dam breed. Losses were higher for twin and triplet lambs than for singles and there was greater mortality at relatively lighter and heavier birthweights. We conclude that reproductive rate in this AI program compared favourably with natural mating. Lamb birthweight for optimum survival was in the 4–8-kg range. Crossbred ewes had greater reproductive efficiency than did Merinos.
Additional keywords: causes of lamb mortality, lamb survival, sheep breeds.
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