The most effective way to increase productivity and profitability in sheep enterprises is to lift stocking rates. Most enterprises in southern Australia only have 20% to 40% of pasture produced eaten; optimally this should be in the region of 50%.

A recent report by Lisa Warn, Mackinnon Project, School of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, in conjunction with the Australian Sheep Industry Cooperative Research Centre, found that selecting the optimum time for lambing enables producers to optimise pasture use and lift stocking rates. And stocking rates are the key to maximising wool and meat per hectare to lift profits.

Lisa Warn explained, “The first most critical step in optimising pasture use is to ensure that the period of greatest feed demand by your sheep is aligned to the period of greatest pasture growth. This means lambing should occur prior to the peak pasture growth allowing ewe numbers to be optimised and supplemental feeding minimised.

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