LOCAL producers in Mansfield gathered at the end of January to review the final overall results from the 'Less Predators, More Lambs' MLA Producer Demonstration site Project, which recently completed its third and final year.
In an attempt to address the critical issue of predator impact on lamb survival rates, particularly attributed to foxes and wild dogs in Northeast Victoria, the 'Less Predators, More Lambs' Producer Demonstration Project, coordinated by Matt Mahoney of Agridome Consultancy and funded by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), has now completed three years.
This MLA Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) project assessed the effectiveness of best-practice predator control in conjunction with best practice ewe management, ultimately influencing adoption among local sheep producers.
The project, supported by collaborating partners including the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, DELWP (now DEECA), and Agridome Consultancy, engaged eight producers serving as demonstrators.
These producers implemented property-specific Predator Control Management Programs (PCMPs) which utilises the Feralscan App to address the impact of predators on lamb survival.
Latest Stories
The on-farm issue targeted by the project was the impact of predators, mainly foxes and wild dogs, on lamb survival rates from birth to lamb marking.
The group observed that predators may inadvertently lead to mismothering, even without direct predator attacks.
The aim was to assess if implementing best-practice predator control can improve lamb survival.
The main target audience was sheep producers in North East Victoria, particularly those in the Goulburn Broken Catchment.
The engaged producers served as demonstrators, aiming to influence the wider community by showcasing the benefits of best-practice predator control.
The project's objectives included engaging eight producers to demonstrate and implement property-specific PCMPs, improving lamb survival rates, conducting a cost-benefit analysis, encouraging the implementation of PCMPs in conjunction with other best ewe management practices on producers' properties, and increasing knowledge through workshops and seminars, which other interested producers or members of the community were invited to attend as well.
The project developed property-specific PCMPs, provided training with the Feralscan App, and offered a comprehensive overview of knowledge in best management practices for ewe flocks.
On-farm training on best-practice Predator Control Management and the implementation of property-specific PCMPs using the Feralscan App, ewe condition scoring and feed budgeting were all provided to the core producers.
The results indicated that lamb survival could be improved significantly when all best practices were combined together with predator control.
Increased lamb survival from implementing PCMPs improved the farm bottom line on average by around $3.87/ha of area managed.
This initiative has far-reaching benefits for the industry, demonstrating the economic impact of best practices and potentially leading to benefits for the environment and increased profits for producers in the region.
Producers observed a clear impact from predators, and the project estimated that improved predator management could benefit the entire region.
The ABS figures for 2017-18 estimated 1025 sheep properties in the Goulburn Broken Catchment, producing 750,000 lambs annually.
The project properties demonstrated a general improvement in lamb survival figures, suggesting an additional $1,800,000 to $4,500,000 per year for the region.
While not factored into the cost-benefit analysis, it's crucial to note that the core producers experienced substantial losses due to wild dog attacks during the period of this project.
These attacks resulted in an estimated financial setback of approximately $37,000 for the PDS group over the three-year period, considering market-low prices recorded in November/December 2023.
It is noteworthy that these attacks affected only a small proportion of the group and occurred outside the PCMP target-periods for the PDS, namely prior to and during lambing.
However, despite their infrequency, when these attacks did occur, they proved devastating to the ewe flock concerned.
Looking ahead, the project highlighted the need for further investment and focus on wild dog management, as this remains a significant issue for producers.
An extension program similar to the one implemented in this PDS is recommended for a comprehensive sheep management course.
As the project concluded, these findings and recommendations gave promise of a brighter future for lamb survival and enhanced profitability for sheep producers.
A Producer Guide will be available from the MLA Producer Demonstration Site website: https://www.mla.com.au/extension-training-and-tools/pds-producer-demonstration-sites/#pr.
For further information on this project, contact Matt at Agridome Consultancy on m:0438 209 707 e:matt@agridome.com.au.
