Tools
The Lambing Planner sets out key management operations that make up the breeding cycle, providing information on ewe and ram nutrition, condition score targets at different stages of reproduction and lambing guidelines. You can select a joining date, and from that point gain a series of guidelines and recommendations regarding the use of teasers, ram preparation, joining ratio, ewe feed requirements and the timing of worm egg counts (WEC) and lamb vaccinations.
Condition scoring of sheep gives producers an accurate picture of the mob's nutritional status which can be used to predict production of wool and lambs as well as general wellbeing. The sheep condition score app allows the user to record condition scores of a sheep flock and view the results instantly on the screen. The screen shows a histogram of the scores, a running tally and the average score of the mob. Users can choose to send the data via email to their computer or view results from past sessions. The app contains useful information on condition scoring and a video on the method used.
Pastures from SpaceTM provides estimates of Pasture Growth Rate (PGR) and Feed on Offer (FOO) on a weekly basis across the South West Agricultural region.
Dry and drought feed tables including pasture decline tables for mixed temperate pastures and Mediterranean annual pastures.
Break of season tables designed for annual pastures in the development phase.
Information and recommendations of ewe management, early lambing, and the value of dry pastures throughout the season.
Information and recommendations of ewe management, covering early and late lambing.
Photo standards for annual pastures. Physical copies are out of print, contact your local DPIRD office for remaining copies.
Calculators
Use this tool to determine the impact on flock structure over six years of changes made to retaining or selling classes of sheep or changing the weaning ratio.
Use this tool to view the latest pregnancy scanning rates (reproductive rate) of WA sheep flocks. Choose to see the whole data set or refine the results to show by time of lambing, by year or by sheep type. Add in your own pregnancy results to see where you fit within the curve.
This tool can be used to estimate the supplementary feed requirements of a sheep enterprise for a single year. The calculator provides a broad estimate of the feed requirements for a single class of sheep as well as an average feed requirement on a monthly basis to maintain condition in adult sheep and grow weaners at a moderate rate. The tool gives outputs in either a graph or table format.
This calculator was developed using the best available data for animal and pasture relationships for annual legume-based pastures. It should be used at the break of season and relies on an accurate assessment of Feed on Offer (FOO) and the current pasture growth rate of the pasture. The values for the animal requirements are taken from GrazFeed®.
This tool can be used to work out the cost of a number of different sheep feeds. It can also be used to work out the feed value of a chosen mix of feed in terms of its energy and protein value and provide a cost per tonne, per megajoule of energy and per kilogram of protein.
Deferred grazing is a tactic where stock are excluded from pasture areas to maximise germination and establishment of pasture seedlings. Use this calculator to determine how many days it will take to meet a pasture target at a particular pasture growth rate.
Resources and reports
A baseline carbon footprint assessment and emissions reduction strategy with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality for the Katanning Research Station (KRS) by 2030.
Information and best practice recommendations for lamb marking including castrating and tail docking, mulesing, pain relief, chemical use, ear tagging and vaccinations.