Ewe containment feeding boosts lamb marking by 12 per cent
A three-year trial showed that confining ewes to pens boosted lamb marking by 12 per cent.
Containment feeding confines ewes to pens and provides supplementary feed. It has long been seen as a drought survival tactic.
But a three-year South Australian study found it improves productivity even in good seasons. The trial ran across Barossa region sites, led by livestock consultant Deb Scammell.
It showed a 12 per cent boost in lamb marking rates compared to paddock-grazing ewes on the same properties, and helped maintain ground cover above 70 per cent.
- 12 per cent
- Lamb marking boost
- above 70 per cent
- Ground cover maintained
- 2020 to 2022
- Trial years
- 11 total (3 major, 8 minor)
- Trial sites
Why it mattersSheep farmers gain a practical tool to boost lamb survival and productivity while managing pasture sustainably across both wet and dry years.
AustraliaSouth Australian and other Australian sheep producers can adopt containment feeding to lift productivity and maintain healthier pastures year-round.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 d ago
