Report
Reducing foetal and lamb losses in young ewes
MLA Annual Report
Meat and Livestock Australia Ltd.
2022
Abstract
Improving reproductive performance for maiden ewes is a priority for the Australian sheep industry. This project has determined the extent, timing and causes of lamb mortality between scanning and marking in maiden ewes, including the contribution of losses between scanning and birth (abortion). Infectious diseases were the most common causes of abortion or stillbirth identified in investigations submitted to Australian veterinary laboratories. An on-farm study demonstrated that lamb loss between birth and marking was the largest source of loss after scanning. Mid-pregnancy abortion was an important source of loss on some farms with losses above expected levels (>2%) in approximately one in three ewe lamb flocks. These abortions occurred with no obvious signs of illness that would alert the farmer to the problem. Chlamydia pecorum was detected in aborted or stillborn lambs from ewe lamb flocks at multiple properties. Abortions associated with Campylobacter were detected on one farm confirming that campylobacteriosis causes losses on some farms in some years. Dystocia, stillbirth and starvation-mismothering were the most important causes of lamb death during or after birth. A monitoring protocol during pregnancy and lambing can be used to determine the timing of foetal or lamb loss and inform strategies to improve maiden ewe reproductive performance.
Details
- Title
- Reducing foetal and lamb losses in young ewes
- Authors
- Martina Jelocnik (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, GeneCology Research Centre - LegacyShane Besier (Author) - Department of Primary Industries and Regional DevelopmentSam Hair (Author) - Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
- Contributors
- Caroline Jacobson (Contributor) - Murdoch UniversityTom Clune (Contributor) - Murdoch UniversityAmy Lockwood (Contributor) - Murdoch UniversitySerina Hancock (Contributor) - Murdoch UniversityAndrew Thompson (Contributor) - Murdoch UniversityAngus Campbell (Contributor) - The University of MelbourneElsa Glanville (Contributor) - The University of MelbourneColin Trengove (Contributor) - The University of AdelaideRyan O’Handley (Contributor) - The University of Adelaide
- Publication details
- MLA Annual Report; 185 pages
- Publisher
- Meat and Livestock Australia Ltd.
- Date published
- 2022
- ISSN
- 1444-3171
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99669298802621
- Output Type
- Report
Metrics
120 Record Views