Focus on lamb survival at Uralla field day

Hosted by the Northern NSW White Suffolk Breeders Group, the lamb production and marketing seminar will include keynote speakers Geoff Duddy, Sheep Solutions, Yanco, Murray Long, Pendarra White Suffolks, Ardlethan as Local Land Services' Brett McLeod.

Northern NSW White Suffolk Breeders spokesman Darren Smith said the seminar was the first organised event for the group, which takes in the New England and southern Queensland.

Mr Smith said a depressed wool market over recent years had resulted in many northern woolgrowers using terminal rams over a portion of their Merino ewes to generate cash flow.

"We are holding this field day to give Merino and prime lamb producers information on potential markets with a branded White Suffolk product, touching on forward contracts,'' he said.

"It will also help producers increase their survival rate of lambs and focus on ewe management.''

The seminar will begin with a practical demonstration of muscle, fat and pregnancy scanning with technician Tim Lawrence, followed by lamb marketing options.

Other topics include ewe and ram selection, ewe management and nutrition, maximizing lamb survival, lamb weaning and nutrition, and lamb preparation for sale.

There will be demonstration and trade displays of pregnancy and fat scanning, nutritional advice, pastures and crops, feeds and feeders, handlers and auto drafters, tagging systems, electric fencing and more.

Riverina prime lamb producer Murray Long, "Coondarra", Ardlethan, said lamb survival was a drain on the commercial industry.

He said genetics and management could increase lamb mortality by more than 80 per cent.

"Selecting for genetic fat is an insurance policy for lamb survival. Genetically fatter sheep produce heavier lambs at birth and birthweight drives survival,'' he said.

The seminar will run from 8am to 4pm on July 28. To register, email ryefieldbrazier@gmail.com or call Marianne Brazier on 0427 797 507