A Survey of New South Wales Sheep Producer Practices and Perceptions on Lamb Mortality and Ewe Supplementation.

ABSTRACT: High lamb mortality rates reduce profitability and reduce the perceived animal welfare standards of the industry. This study aimed to understand producer knowledge of lamb mortality rates and causes of lamb mortality, and to investigate various practices and perceptions of producers that may contribute to lamb deaths. Postal and online surveys gathered data on Australian sheep producer's knowledge and practices around lambing and management practices. Based on results, approximately 50% of producers estimated less than 10% mortality of lambs between birth and marking, compared to published data estimates of 20-25% mortality. Pre-lambing vaccination of ewes was not undertaken by 10-20% of producers. Ninety-six percent of producers vaccinated lambs; however, 17% of Merino and 23% of crossbre

SUBMITTER: Kopp K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7552230 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature