Ewes for the future. lambs, wool & profit. Section 2: Main results. Background. Comparing lambing percentages in ewe trials

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1 Section 2: Main results Background What s the best sheep type for a combination of prime lamb and wool production? This question has been debated by sheep producers for years. In January 29, the Elmore Field Days trial, Ewes for the Future Lambs, Wool and Profit began. The trial aims to compare the merits of five alternative sheep types in the Northern Victorian environment at Elmore. The results will assist sheep producers determine the merits of a number of ewe breed alternatives for prime lamb production. The main characters of interest are lambing percentages, lamb growth rates and wool production. The ewe breed types are: x cross. The most common prime lamb mother in northern Victoria. Ewes were sourced with the help of the $uperborder$ group, a group within the breed society using Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) to help breed better rams.,. The second most common prime lamb mother in northern Victoria. The sheep are mostly based on Peppin bloodlines with some influence from South Australian bloodlines. Ewes were sourced with the help of the Stud Breeders Association.. is a group breeding scheme and registered merino stud and in Central West NSW that aims to produce dual purpose sheep. This strain has achieved a good reputation from the high dual purpose and fine wool index ASBVs on the Sheep Genetics Australia website.. The is a dual-purpose breed developed in South Africa using Peppin type ewes and German Mutton sires. They have been selected for high fertility, rapid lamb growth rate and fine wool. There is a high level of farmer interest in this dual-purpose breed. Sheep were sourced with the assistance of the Australian Breeders Association. In 28 the breed was in the early stages of introduction to Australia. Two properties supplied F2 ewe lambs while the third property supplied F3s. See note below.. The Prime (South African Meat ) is a dual-purpose sheep originally bred in South Africa to produce heavy slaughter lambs at a young age as well as good quality wool. The breed society is aiming at 6 per cent meat and 4 per cent wool in members breeding programs. Sheep were sourced with the assistance of the Prime Breeders Society of Australia. In 28 the breed was in the early stages of introduction to Australia. Two properties supplied F3 ewe lambs while the third property supplied a mix of F2s and F3s. Note: F1 is the first cross, a F2 is a second cross and a F3 is a third cross when introducing a new breed. At the start of the trial, a total of 21 ewe lambs were delivered to the site. The five breed-types are each represented by 42 ewes. Each breed type group was randomly selected from three properties, with 14 ewe lambs per property after an allowance for culling. Comparing lambing percentages in ewe trials Trials at Trangie by the NSW Dept Agriculture found big differences between bloodlines in lambing percentages when all ewes were reared together from conception to the end of the trial. Similar differences no doubt exist in other breeds. However issues arising from ewe trials comparing lambing percentages include: (i) Does the level of nutrition in early life as a foetus, as young lamb up to weaning and from weaning until entry to this trial, affect mature body size, wool production and lambing percentages later in life? Overall, Australian and New Zealand research, in four trials with merino sheep, indicate the nutrition of the young merino ewe, from a foetus to weaning has zero or at most small long term effects on subsequent reproduction under commercial farm conditions. However, two trials in Britain with local breeds indicated that under nutrition as a young lamb lowered lambs born per ewe joined by around 4 to 5%. It was suggested this was due to a higher rate of embryo or foetal mortality during pregnancy rather than differences in dry ewes or number of eggs shed per ewe. (ii) How does hybrid vigour affect lambing percentage?. Hybrid vigour is well known in x cross ewes. What is less known is the hybrid vigour when strains are crossed. NSW Dept Agriculture research conducted from 1975 to 2 indicated when bloodlines were crossed the average values of ewe or maternal hybrid vigour, expressed through a ewe being a pure bloodline or cross bloodline, were 1.2% for fertility (wet versus dry ewes), 2.9% for litter size (singles, twins or triplets), 6.8% for lamb survival and 8.2% for lambs weaned. These NSW Dept Agriculture merinos were initially purchased in the early 197s when merino bloodlines were more defined than present day merino studs as artificial insemination and the use of rams from other studs may have reduced differences between these traditional bloodlines. Reviews of research worldwide indicate average hybrid vigour of 14% in number of lambs weaned when any two breeds are crossed. This may have implications for s and s where the studs have used rams from diverse sources for many years. It may also have effects when South African origin breeds are crossed with Australian s. The F1 cross would be expected to have the most hybrid vigour in reproduction. The hybrid vigour component of extra reproduction would be expected to halve in the F2 generation and halve again in the F3 generation. (iii) Some breeds, especially x cross are regarded to be more seasonal breeders than say s. The choice of lambing time may thus put some breeds at an advantage or disadvantage to others. (iv) Lambing management, for example not separating singles or twins after pregnancy scanning within each breed group, might disadvantage breeds with a higher percentage of twins. Overall the standard of lambing management in this trial was very high; lambing ewes were usually inspected twice per day. (v) The ewes in the trial were first joined as ewe lambs. The question then arises: What effect did lambing as a ewe lamb have on lambing in the following years? Did lambing as ewe lambs penalise those ewes so they had a lower lambing percentage the following year? An analysis of this trial indicated that lambing as a ewe lamb had no deleterious effects on lambing percentages in subsequent years. Several other trials have given similar results. Page 13 of 52

2 Management Delivery to the site Ewe lambs, 28 drop were delivered to the Elmore Field Days by early January 29. They were fed a high-quality diet to reach a suitable joining weight in late February 29, when they were joined to White Suffolk rams. They were run together for 6 lambings, the first as ewe lambs, with the exception of lambing in separate paddocks by breed group each year. The table below shows key management dates.. Teams came from Victoria, (Euroa, Tarnagulla, Wedderburn, Yarrawonga), New South Wales (Ivanhoe, Moama, Temora, Tottenham, Trundle, Tullamore, Walgett - 2teams, West Wyalong) and South Australia (Kingston 2 teams). Management On arrival the sheep were grazed on green weeds, mainly hogweed, after summer storms from delivery until early January. They were then introduced slowly to a supplement of grain, hay and wrapped silage. Their ration for the next 14 weeks consisted of 63kg barley per week, fed over 3 feeds, one wrapped silage roll every 5 days (weight 5kg) and one roll of hay (weight 42kg) fed every 5 days. The lambs were weighed and condition scored three times in the few months following their arrival. They steadily gained weight and condition. They were joined on 26 February 29 to White Suffolk rams for six weeks. The sheep were initially joined as ewe lambs. Twenty five lambs were considered too light to join as they weighed under 4 kg ( 19 and 6). The lambs were pregnancy scanned on 28 May. The ewes were divided into their breed groups just prior to lambing each year. The first lambing, as ewe lambs, began on 26 July 29 and proceeded for six weeks. Lambing paddocks had about 2kg dry matter per hectare at lambing and no supplementary feeding was necessary. The overall lamb marking percentage was 74% lambs marked per ewe joined and 94% lambs marked over joined ewes scanned as pregnant. This was considered excellent for ewe lambs as some were not joined because they were considered too young or too light. The following breeding season started with joining on 29 Dec 29. Seasonal conditions were good as rain storms during the autumn started adequate green feed that lasted for most of 21. Ewes were split into their breed groups just before the start of lambing. A grain supplement of 23 g/day of barley was fed during lambing. The peak of lambing was on 13 June and the first batch of 95 lambs was sold on 5 Nov at an average weight of 49kg. Key activity dates Lambing Seasonal year Ewe age at lambing Join date Mid lambing date Date first batch of lambs sold Shearing date 1 st mths 26 Feb Aug 1 Feb Oct 2 nd 21 2 yrs 28 Dec Jun 5 Nov Oct 3 rd yrs 1 Dec May 2 Oct Oct 4 th yrs 1 Feb Jul 22 Oct Oct 5 th yrs 1 Feb Jul 1 Dec Oct 6 th yrs 1 Nov Apr 11 Sep Oct The Elmore environment The ewes were run on the Elmore Field Days site 3 km east of Elmore in northern Victoria. The long term average rainfall is 466 mm. The rain is winter dominant. Most sheep grazing is on annual pastures growing between late autumn and spring and dry pasture residues and crop stubbles over the summer. Annual crops of cereals, oilseeds and grain legumes are normally sown in late autumn and harvested in early summer. Summer storms in some years provide extra green feed from dry-land lucerne and green summer weeds. The trial sheep mostly grazed annual green pasture in the winter spring growing season and dry pasture and crop residues in the summer. There was some dry-land lucerne that provided additional summer feed. An area of irrigated annual winter pasture was watered up each autumn. This provided some extra feed in the difficult late autumn period. The wet summers, especially the summer provided additional summer green feed from weeds. At times of feed scarcity sheep were provided with a grain supplement or silage. The rainfall over the trial period is shown below. Rain at Elmore during the trial period Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec TOTAL Long term average Page 14 of 52

3 Statistical analyses The design of this trial is similar to the s to Match series of wether trials run by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries. Each breed is represented by three teams to ensure adequate genetic sampling. There will be genetic differences between individual animals and sometimes between teams within breeds. While acknowledging these differences exist, the main purpose of this trial is to demonstrate differences between breeds to help sheep producers choose the most appropriate breed for their production system. These results only apply to the sheep at Elmore and they may or may not be truly representative of the breeds in general. There are three primary types of traits in the Elmore data: (i) those recorded on multiple years (e.g. lambing and wool traits); (ii) those recorded on a single year (e.g. broken mouths at end of trial); and (iii) lamb traits measured once but lambings on multiple years (e.g. carcass weight). A linear mixed model was fitted to all reproduction, wool, body weight and condition score traits. Fixed effects included year (which was completely confounded with ewe age), breed and the interaction between year and breed (which was almost never significant). For ewe weight and condition whether or not they lambed at 12 months was included and also the interaction between 12 month lambing and year. Random effects included property of origin to account for different ewe sources, the interaction between property and year, and the actual ewe to account for repeated measures across years. Including property as a random effect allowed testing against the property rather than residual variance. For wool traits the year by property interaction was not included because there was no variance for this component. For traits recorded only once (e.g. broken mouths at the end of the trial) most models only included the fixed effect of breed. For carcass traits, simple models were fitted which just included fixed effects of year, sex (ewe, wether) and breed. Interactions were tested but were not significant.. These analyses were performed by University of Adelaide staff Wayne Pitchford, and Forbes Brien with funding from Australian Wool Innovation. Shearing the ewes Page 15 of 52

4 Ewe weight and condition score Ewe weights from birth (birth weights were assumed at 5kg, birth dates obtained for each group) to current. This graphs indicates the lambs were born over a four month and the early drop lambs were heavier at the first complete weighing on 8 th January 29. The lambs continued to gain weight on their supplements after arrival. The aim of feeding over the first year was to steadily grow all the lambs out to maturity and ensure that there was no permanent disadvantage over the length of the trial. Ewe weights (fleece free) from birth on farms of origin and at Elmore from 8Jan9 to 9Oct14. Ewe weight kg The lines indicate the average weight of each group over time. A birth weight of 5kg was assumed for all teams. The average birth date was determined after discussions with the breeder of each team. x, Ewe weight at joining, average 5 adult joinings kg x cross Least significant different difference between any two breeds is 8.1 kg (P=.5) 63.6, Ewe condition score at joining, average 5 adult joinings CS Least significant different difference between any two breeds is.17 CS (P=.5) x cross , Page 16 of 52

5 Lambing details Comparing lambing percentages in ewe trials The following factors need to be considered when comparing lambing percentages in ewe trials (i) Previous studies on lambing percentage and breed and bloodline differences (ii) Hybrid vigour. (iii) Seasonality of breeding season, weight and condition score. (iv) The effect of early life nutrition on later lambing percentages. (v) The effect of lambing as ewe lambs on later lambings, and (vi) Single and twin bearing ewes not being separated for lambing. These factors are discussed briefly below. Pregnancy scanning enables separating ewes bearing singles and twins for differential management around lambing. Lambing management, for example not separating singles or twins after pregnancy scanning within each breed group, might disadvantage breeds with a higher percentage of twins. Overall the standard of lambing management in this trial was very high; lambing ewes were usually inspected twice per day. (i) Previous studies on lambing percentage and breed and bloodline differences Trials at Trangie by the NSW Dept Agriculture found big differences between bloodlines in lambing percentages when all ewes were reared together from conception to the end of the trial. Similar differences no doubt exist in other breeds. The experiments were conducted from 1984 to 1996 between bloodlines of s with sheep originally selected during the 197s and early 198s. Since then, some of these bloodlines would have used rams from other sources and the differences between the bloodlines may have changed. However the figures demonstrate large differences in reproduction that probably exist between the many strains and bloodlines of s available today. The eight bloodlines tested showed significant differences on litter size (maximum difference 19%), lamb survival (maximum difference 13%) and lambs weaned per ewe joined (maximum difference 24%) as shown in the graph. Lambs weaned per ewe joined 1% 9% 8% 7% 6% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% % F1 F2 MNP1 MNP2 MP1 MP2 MP3 S bloodline Lambsweaned per ewe joined for eight merino bloodlines at Trangie, NSW, from 1984to Ewes were bred in the same environment. The bloodline names refer to F -finewool, MNP -medium non Peppin, MP - medium Peppin and S - strongwool (derived from Mortimer & Atkins 1997). Page 17 of 52

6 (ii) Hybrid vigour. How does hybrid vigour affect lambing percentage. Hybrid vigour is well known in x cross ewes. What is less known is the hybrid vigour when strains are crossed. There are two components of hybrid vigour: (i) Maternal hybrid vigour, with either the ewe being a purebred or cross, eg x cross ewes; and (ii) Direct hybrid vigour due to a lamb being born a purebred a crossbred, eg. prime lambs as a result of a White Suffolk x cross The NSW Dept Agriculture research, mentioned in the previous section of this report, indicated when bloodlines were crossed the average values of ewe or maternal hybrid vigour, expressed through a ewe being a pure bloodline or cross bloodline, were 1.2% for fertility (wet versus dry ewes), 2.9% for litter size (singles, twins or triplets), 6.8% for lamb survival and 8.2% for lambs weaned. These NSW Dept Agriculture merinos were initially purchased in the early 197s when merino bloodlines were more defined than present day merino studs as artificial insemination and the use of rams from other studs may have reduced differences between these traditional bloodlines. Reviews of research worldwide indicate average hybrid vigour of 14% in number of lambs weaned when any two breeds are crossed. This may have implications for s and s where the studs have used rams from diverse sources for many years. It may also have effects when South African origin breeds are crossed with Australian s. The F1 cross would be expected to have the most hybrid vigour in reproduction. The hybrid vigour component of extra reproduction would be expected to halve in the F2 generation and halve again in the F3 generation. When the bloodlines were crossed the average values of ewe or maternal hybrid vigour, expressed through a ewe being a pure bloodline or cross bloodline, were 1.2% for fertility (wet versus dry ewes), 2.9% for litter size (singles, twins or triplets), 6.8% for lamb survival and 8.2% for lambs weaned. The average values of direct hybrid vigour due a lamb being born a pure bred or a cross bloodline were 3.6% for fertility, % for litter size, 2.7% for lamb survival and 7.1% for lambs weaned. The Northern Victorian studs from which the teams were bred have sourced rams from a range of bloodlines with an emphasis on the Peppin type. Lambing results of the teams at Elmore trial are influenced by (i) the bloodlines on which the teams are based and (ii) possibly by hybrid vigour as a result of the studs using rams from a number of sources. Mortimer SI and Atkins KD (1997) Improvement of reproductive performance through bloodline substitution and crossing. Proc. Assoc. Advmt. Anim. Breed. Genet. l2:44-47 (iii) Seasonality of breeding season, weight and condition score. Some sheep can readily join any season of the year, while others join more reliably later in the breeding season from February to April. The choice of lambing time may thus put some breeds at an advantage or disadvantage to others. In this trial the lambing times were varied to avoid any disadvantage to the more seasonal breeding season breeds. For example the breeding season of x ewes has been closely studied and ewes joined in March-April could have up to 7% more lambs born per ewe joined than ewes joined in December at a similar weight. This topic is discussed in the box below. The graph shows the relationship between live weight at joining and the percentage of lambs born to x cross ewes at Rutherglen Research Institute during the 197s. The experiment was run over six years at three stocking rates with three times of lambing. For example in a trial at Rutherglen in the 197s ewes at 7 kg weight and lambing in May would be expected to lamb down at 115% lambs born per ewe joined. Ewes lambing 4 months later in August would be expected to lamb at 19%, an increase of 75% (see graph). Heavier ewes or those in better condition at joining also have higher lambing percentages. The responsiveness also varies with the time of joining. A 1 kg increase in weight would be expected to lead to a 17% increase in lambs born with a May lambing, but an extra 3% with an August lambing. Lambs born/ewe joined % August lambing Sheep weight kg June-July lambing May lambing Page 18 of 52

7 (iv) The effect of early life nutrition on later lambing percentages. Does the level of nutrition in early life as a foetus, as young lamb up to weaning and from weaning until entry to this trial, affect mature body size, wool production and lambing percentages later in life? Overall, Australian and New Zealand research, in four trials with merino sheep, indicate the nutrition of the young merino ewe, from a foetus to weaning has zero or at most small long term effects on subsequent reproduction under commercial farm conditions. However, two trials in Scotland with local breeds indicated that under nutrition as a young lamb lowered lambs born per ewe joined by about 5%. It was suggested this was due to a higher rate of embryo mortality or foetal death rather than differences in dry ewes or number of eggs shed per ewe. This is in contrast to its effects on wool production and sheep mature weight, where early nutrition seems to have larger effects, but these effects often reduce with the age of the ewe. Differences in nutrition of the lamb in the first 6 months of life are likely to disappear by the ewes second lambing. Experiments with high or low levels of nutrition on ewe lambs and hoggets often results in lower lambing percentage at the next lambing, but the effects seem to be short term. Once the weight of the ewe has recovered there seems to be no effect on subsequent lambing performance. A summary of some research follows. Lifetimewool core sites At two sites (Vic. and WA) in each of two years, 21 and 22, a wide range in the live weight profiles of ewes were generated during pregnancy and lactation by varying the amount of supplements fed and feed on offer grazed. Across the four experiments this resulted in lamb weights ranging from 13.8 to 28.3 kg just before weaning. However there were no effects on the ewe lambs reproduction performance after the high and low nutrition treatments were run together after weaning (Thompson AN 212, pers comm., data yet to be published). The findings also suggest that the mature size of offspring is unlikely to be adversely affected by pre-weaning nutrition within the range of nutritional scenarios during pregnancy and lactation that are likely to be experienced within the Australian sheep industry (Thompson AN et al 211a). However there were effects on lifetime wool growth. Improving the nutrition of ewes during pregnancy increases the fleece weight and reduces the fibre diameter of their lamb s wool during their lifetime (Thompson AN et al 211b). As well post-weaning survival at the Vic. site was strongly associated with weaning weight. Lifetimewool farm validation sites The original Lifetimewool core research site results on the effects of improved nutrition of ewes during pregnancy on the lifetime production of their lambs were further tested in 14 paddock scale experiments across Australia. The researchers concluded Maternal nutrition during pregnancy had no significant effect on the reproductive performance of ewe progeny as maidens, (95 vs 96% for high and low nutrition, respectively, P =.8). (Behrendt et al 211, page 29). This is in contrast to the effects on wool production where good nutrition of the foetus during pregnancy improved lifetime fleece weight and reduced fibre diameter by up to.2 microns New Zealand experiment with merino lambs and later lambing performance New Zealand hill country merino lambs-hoggets were fed at combinations of high and low nutrition over a 13 month period, from 6 to 19 months of age, so that the largest weight difference between groups was 15.1 kg. There were large differences in reproduction performance at the first joining at 19 months, but these differences did not persist to the later lambings where there were no significant differences in dry ewes, twinning rate, lambs born or lambs weaned (Davis et al 1983). Compensatory growth of the low nutrition ewes after the feeding treatments finished ensured the low nutrition ewes made a full recovery. South Australian experiment in the 196s The growth of two groups of lambs was severely restricted at different stages of early post-natal life so that at 42 days of age they weighed only 12 kg. When their normally grown sibs born 1 year later attained a similar weight at 53 days the groups were Although the ewes subjected to growth restriction and were smaller in later life; there was no significant difference in the number of dry ewes (8% dry in restricted vs 11% dry in normal feeding) or in the number of lambs born (96% in restricted vs 19% in normal feeding) but there was a suggestion that the unrestricted controls produced more twins than the other groups, the number of animals used was small. The results of this experiment provide strong evidence that the most severe and prolonged periods of nutritional stress in early post-natal life had as its sequel a permanent impairment of adult weight, reduced wool production and fewer wool fibres but the capacity of the ewe to reproduce in later life is unlikely to be affected by very poor nutrition as a lamb (Allden 1979). British experimentss In Scotland, Scottish Blackface ewes lambs undernourished up to weaning had no effect on the proportion of dry ewes, but a lifelong reduction of four percent reduction in the incidence of multiple births. This was due to a reduction in embryo or foetal survival and not a reduction in ovulation rate. Gunn et al. (1995) In Wales, Brecon Cheviot ewes were subjected to a restricted level of nutrition prior to weaning. This nutritional restriction did not signifcantly affect the proportions of dry ewes, but lowered the lifetime incidence of multiple births by about five percent. (Rhind 1998) References Allden, W. G. 1968: Under-nutrition of the sheep and its sequelae. 3. The effect on lifetime productivity of growth restrictions imposed at two stages of early post-natal life in the Mediterranean environment. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 19: Allden, W. G. 1979: Under-nutrition of the sheep and its sequelae. 5. The influence of severe growth restrictions during early post-natal life on reproduction and growth in later life. Australian journal of Agricultural Research 3: Behrendt et al 211. On-farm paddock-scale comparisons across southern Australia confirm that increasing the nutrition of ewes improves their production and the lifetime performance of their progeny Animal Production Science, 211, 51, Davis, P.D. et al (1983): Production during 5 years from ewes reared on different levels of nutrition between 7 and 19 months of age, New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 26:1, Page 19 of 52

8 Gunn, R.G., Sim, D.A., Hunter, E.A., Effects of nutrition inutero and in early life on the subsequent lifetime reproductive performance of Scottish Blackface ewes in two management systems. Anim. Sci. 6, 223±23. Rhind S.M. (1998) Effects of restriction of growth and development of Brecon Cheviot ewe lambs on subsequent lifetime reproductive performance. Small Ruminant Research 3 (1998) 121±126 Thompson AN, Ferguson MB, Campbell AJD, Gordon DJ, Kearney GA, Oldham CM, Paganoni BL (211a) Improving the nutrition of ewes during pregnancy and lactation increases weaning weight and survival of progeny but does not affect their mature size. Animal Production Science 51, Thompson AN, Ferguson MB, Gordon DJ, Kearney GA, Oldham CM, Paganoni BL (211b) Improving the nutrition of ewes during pregnancy increases the fleece weight and reduces the fibre diameter of their progeny s wool during their lifetime and these effects can be predicted from the ewe s live weight profile. Animal Production Science 51, (v) The effect of lambing as ewe lambs on later lambings, and The ewes in the trial were first joined as ewe lambs. The question then arises: What effect did lambing as a ewe lamb have on lambing the following year? Did lambing as ewe lambs penalise those ewes so they had a lower lambing percentage the following year? Research elsewhere and an analysis of this trial indicated that lambing as a ewe lamb had no effect on lambing the following year. A report from New Zealand (Review of on ewe hogget reproduction, P.V. Rattray, Meat & Wool New Zealand, April 22) and unpublished trial results from South Australia (discussion with Janelle Edwards, SARDI) suggest that lambing as ewe lambs has nil or even a small positive effect on lambing the next year provided the sheep are in good condition. We have further analysed these Elmore trial results because 14% of the Northern Victorian s and 45% of the s were not joined as they were under 4 kg live-weight just prior to joining as ewe lambs on 26 Feb 29. As well, the dry ewes in other groups could have been advantaged from being dry in 29. Our analyses, shown in the box below indicates that there was probably no or very little effect because in the 21 lambing ewes that did not lamb as ewe lambs in 29 had similar lambing performance to those that lambed in 29. A further analysis by the University of Adelaide statistical staff of this trial indicated no effect of lambing as ewe lambs on lifetime lambing performance. Lambing performance in 21 did not seem to be affected by lambing as ewe lambs in 29 This table shows the 21 lambing details of ewes sorted by their prior lambing history as ewe lambs in 29 for: (a) Pregnancy scanning rate in 21, foetuses scanned per 1 ewes, and (b) Percent ewes lambing in 21. Lambing history in 21 was decided by a combination of pregnancy scanning (24 March 21) and examining ewes udders at lamb marking (22 July 21) and at fleece sampling (8 Sept 21) and then nominating ewes as dry, wet or reared a lamb or lambed and lost. Ewe breed BL x cross Northern Vic All ewes (a) Pregnancy scanning rate Pregnancy scan percent in 21 of all ewes 148% 42 ewes 148% 4 ewes 115% 41 ewes 14% 25 ewes 14% 42 ewes 162% 13 ewes 17% 41 ewes 114% 35 ewes 146% 41 ewes 142% 32 ewes 131% 27 ewes 134% 145 ewes Pregnancy scan percent in 21 of ewes that lambed in 29 Pregnancy scan percent in 21 of ewes that were dry in 29 15% 2 ewes 124% 16 ewes 131% 29 ewes 8% 6 ewes 16% 9 ewes 129% 62 ewes (b) Percent ewes lambing Percentage ewes lambing in 21 of all ewes Percent ewes dry in 21 of all ewes Percent ewes lambing in 21 of ewes that lambed in 29 Percent ewes lambing in 21 of ewes that were dry in 29 95% 9% 95% 88% 1% 93% 194 of 27 ewes 5% 2 ewes 95% 38 of 4 ewes 1% 2 of 2 ewes 1% 4 ewes 76% 21 of 25 ewes 94% 16 of 16 ewes 5% 2 ewes 92% 13 of 13 ewes 93% 27 of 29 ewes 12% 5 ewes 97% 33 of 35 ewes 5% 3 of 6 ewes Zero ewes 1% 32 of 32 ewes 1% 9 of 9 ewes 7% 13 of 27 ewes 93% 136 of 145 ewes 89% 56 of 62 ewes The results indicate that ewe lambing performance in 21 did not seem to be affected by lambing as ewe lambs; because ewes lambing or dry in 29 had similar lambing performance the next year. Reasons for being dry in 29 were either they were not joined (25 lambs under 4 kg) or failed to get in lamb when joined as ewe lambs (31 of 185 lambs). The pregnancy scan rate in 21 was 134% for ewes that lambed in 29; and 129% for ewes that were dry in 29. There were some small differences between breeds but they would not be significant. The percentage of ewes that lambed in 21 was 93% for those that lambed in 29; and 89% lambed for those that were dry in 29. The small differences between breeds would not be significant. Page 2 of 52

9 (vi) Single and twin bearing ewes not being separated for lambing. Pregnancy scanning enables separating ewes bearing singles and twins for differential management around lambing. Lambing management, for example not separating singles or twins after pregnancy scanning within each breed group, might disadvantage breeds with a higher percentage of twins. Separating single and twin bearing ewes was not possible in this tial. However, the standard of lambing management was very high with lambing ewes were usually inspected twice per day. Lambing 5 year averages The figure below averages the 5 years of adult lamb marking percentages, but does not include the first year when ewe lambs were joined six weeks after arrival at Elmore. As discussed elsewhere; the nutrition in early life and lambing as ewe lambs probably had minimal effects on lambing performance after one year of running together. Lambs marked, percent, average over 5 adult lambings Percent 14% 12% 1% 8% 6% 4% 2% % 132% x cross Least significant different difference between any two breeds is 6% (P=.5) 96% 116% 96% 132% The average (i) pregnancy scanning rate, (ii) lambs born and (iii) lambs marked over five adult lambings Percent 18% 16% 14% 12% 1% 8% 6% 4% 2% % 157% 15% 132% x cross Least significant different differences between any two breeds are (P=.5) Pregnancy scanning rate - 18% Lambs born -9% Lambs marked -6% 129% 116% 96% 148% 138% 116% 126% 12% 96% Preg scan rate Lambs born Lambs marked 132% 156% 16% Page 21 of 52

10 Number of lambs born and its relation to ewe weight at joining The lines indicate the relationship between the number of lambs born and ewe weight at joining for three lambing times for BLx ewes in an experiment at Rutherglen in the 197s. The dots are Elmore data and indicate the average ewe weight and average number of lambs born for each breed over the five adult lambings. The least significant difference of lambs born is 9%, thus if the dots overlap there is no significant difference between the measurements, if the dots do not overlap then the differences are real or significant. Lambs born/ewe joined %. 2% 19% 18% 17% 16% 15% 14% 13% 12% 11% 1% 9% 8% 7% 6% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% % August lambing June-July lambing May lambing LV Ewe weight, fleece free kg CP Mer BLxMer Page 22 of 52

11 Lambing each year 29 Lambing details 29, Joining 26 Feb, Preg scan 27 May, Mid lambing 12 Aug. Shown are (i) pregnancy scanning rate, (ii) lambs born and (iii) lambs marked Percent 18% 16% 14% 12% 1% 8% 6% 4% 2% % 156% 126% 15% x cross Ewe wt 55 kg Cond Scr 4. Age 9.7 mths 8% 58% 44% Ewe wt 43 kg Cond Scr 3.3 Age 1.1 mths 68% 7% 52% Ewe wt 44 kg Cond Scr 3.2 Age 7.7 mths Ewe weight, condition score and age at joining 18% 98% 83% Ewe wt 51 kg Cond Scr 3.9 Age 1.4 mths Preg scan rate Lambs born Lambs marked 114% 9% 74% Ewe wt 52 kg Cond Scr 4. Age 1.1 mths 21 Lambing details 21, Joining 28 Dec, Preg scan 24 Mar, Mid lambing 13 June. Shown are (i) pregnancy scanning rate, (ii) lambs born and (iii) lambs marked Percent 18% 16% 14% 12% 1% 8% 6% 4% 2% % 148% 138% 124% x cross Ewe wt 65 kg Cond Scr 4.1 Age 19.7 mths 115% 115% 9% Ewe wt 54 kg Cond Scr 3.5 Age 2.1 mths 141% 135% 121% Ewe wt 6 kg Cond Scr 3.8 Age 17.7 mths Ewe weight, condition score and age at joining 11% 11% 9% Ewe wt 62 kg Cond Scr 4. Age 2.4 mths Preg scan rate Lambs born Lambs marked 146% 143% 124% Ewe wt 67 kg Cond Scr 4.1 Age 2.1 mths 211 Lambing details 211, Joining 1 Dec, Preg scan 5 Mar, Mid lambing 12 May. Shown are (i) pregnancy scanning rate, (ii) lambs born and (iii) lambs marked Percent 18% 16% 14% 12% 1% 8% 6% 4% 2% % 152% 14% 138% x cross Ewe wt 76 kg Cond Scr 4.2 Age 2.5 yrs 115% 18% 95% Ewe wt 6 kg Cond Scr 3.2 Age 2.5 yrs 131% 13% 114% Ewe wt 66 kg Cond Scr 3.4 Age 2.5 yrs Ewe weight, condition score and age at joining 117% 122% 94% Ewe wt 65 kg Cond Scr 3.6 Age 2.5 yrs Preg scan rate Lambs born Lambs marked 16% 155% 138% Ewe wt 76 kg Cond Scr 4.1 Age 2.5 yrs Page 23 of 52

12 212 Lambing details 212, Joining 1 Feb, Preg scan 2 Apr, Mid lambing 12 July. Shown are (i) pregnancy scanning rate, (ii) lambs born and (iii) lambs marked Percent 18% 16% 14% 12% 1% 8% 6% 4% 2% % 173% 165% 148% x cross Ewe wt 86 kg Cond Scr 4.5 Age 3.5 yrs 149% 131% 11% Ewe wt 67 kg Cond Scr 3.7 Age 3.5 yrs 169% 16% 129% Ewe wt 76 kg Cond Scr 3.8 Age3.5 yrs Ewe weight, condition score and age at joining 134% 126% 111% Ewe wt 75 kg Cond Scr 4.1 Age 3.5 yrs Preg scan rate Lambs born Lambs marked 178% 169% 149% Ewe wt 83 kg Cond Scr 4.3 Age 3.5 yrs 213 Lambing details 213, Joining 1 Feb, Preg scan 24 Apr, Mid lambing 12 July. Shown are (i) pregnancy scanning rate, (ii) lambs born and (iii) lambs marked Percent 18% 16% 14% 12% 1% 8% 6% 4% 2% % 18% 177% 134% x cross Ewe wt 87 kg Cond Scr 4.6 Age 4.5 yrs 144% 119% 97% Ewe wt 68 kg Cond Scr 3.5 Age 4.5 yrs 164% 146% 11% Ewe wt 77 kg Cond Scr 3.7 Age 4.5 yrs Ewe weight, condition score and age at joining 151% 131% 91% Ewe wt 75 kg Cond Scr 4.3 Age 4.5 yrs Preg scan rate Lambs born Lambs marked 167% 164% 126% Ewe wt 86 kg Cond Scr 4.7 Age 4.5 yrs 214 Lambing details 214, Joining 1 Nov, Preg scan 31 Jan, Mid lambing 18 Apr. Shown are (i) pregnancy scanning rate, (ii) lambs born and (iii) lambs marked Percent 18% 16% 14% 12% 1% 8% 6% 4% 2% % 135% 13% 117% x cross Ewe wt 86 kg Cond Scr 4.5 Age 5.5 yrs 123% 19% 88% Ewe wt 69 kg Cond Scr 3.8 Age 5.5 yrs 134% 122% 15% Ewe wt 74 kg Cond Scr 4. Age 5.5 yrs Ewe weight, condition score and age at joining 117% 111% 94% Ewe wt 78 kg Cond Scr 4.4 Age 5.5 yrs Preg scan rate Lambs born Lambs marked 145% 147% 126% Ewe wt 86 kg Cond Scr 4.8 Age 5.5 yrs Page 24 of 52

13 Seasonality of breeding The seasonality of breeding season and its interaction are discussed in section This trial was not designed to compare the seasonality of breeding season between the ewe groups. Lambing percentages are influenced by many factors including ewe condition score, live weight, nutrition around joining time, nutrition 4 to 6 months before joining as well as the seasonality of the breeding season. In this trial the numbers of ewes is also limited. Statistical analyses of this trial are thus unable to reach conclusions, but we can still look for trends that indicate BL x M ewes might be more seasonal breeders than the other breeds. In the table below the BL x M cross ewes had a 35% increase in lambs born. They were joined late (26 Feb) once as ewe lambs with 15% lambs marked, however comparisons are not possible as the ewe lambs were only together 6 weeks prior to this joining. However there seems to be a trend that confirms other research that indicates BL x M ewes reach their full potential with a March April joining. The figure below shows the average lambs born and ewe weight relationship of the ewes in this trial sorted by the three early and two later adult joinings. Table indicating the lambs born per ewe joined for three earlier joinings and two later joinings. Ewes were on average about 1 kg heavier as well as being older at the later joinings, see graph below. Breed Three earlier joinings Two later joinings Increase in lambs born from the early to later joinings x cross 136% 171% 35%, 11% 125% 15% 129% 153% 24% 114% 129% 14% 148% 167% 18% The more seasonal breeders, the BL x M ewes had higher lambing percentages with the 2 later lambings, a 35% increase, compared to the other breeds that showed an 18% increase. Lambs born/ewe joined %. Number of lambs born and its relation to ewe weight at joining for 'early' and 'later' lambings. The lines indicate the relationship between lambs born and ewe weight at joining for three lambing times for BLx ewes in an experiment at Rutherglen in the 197s. The dots are Elmore data and indicate the ewe weight and number of lambs born for each breed. There were five lambings. Three lambings were 'early' and two lambings were 'later'. 2% 19% 18% 17% 16% 15% 14% 13% 12% 11% 1% 9% 8% 7% 6% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% % June-July lambing August lambing May lambing BLxMer LV CP Mer Ewe weight at joining, fleece free kg Early joining, Thin borders, join on 28Dec for 21 lambing 1Dec for 211 1Nov for 214 Later joining, Thick borders, join on 1Feb for 212 lambings 1Feb for 213 Page 25 of 52

14 Additional scanning details 29 Lambing 29 breeding season as ewe lambs, lambs under 4 kg were not joined. Ewes joined 26 Feb29. Average age at mid joining for all groups is 9.7 months. Team Ewe lamb age at mid joining, for 29 joining. (joined shortly after arriving at field day site) Age in months Average weight of joined lambs during joining (lambs too light to join not included in this average) kg Number of lambs not joined (37 kg or less) Ewes scanned as dry, (percent of ewes joined) Ewes scanned as carrying singles, ewes joined) Ewes scanned as carrying twins or triplets, ewes joined) Pregnancy scanning result for joined ewes. Number of foetus per ewe joined Lambs born percent (lambs per ewe joined and present at start of lambing) BLx % 38.1% 57.1% 152% 126% 15% LV % 61.1% 8.3% 78% 58% 44% CP % 43.5% 13.% 7% 7% 52% % 63.4% 22.% 17% 98% 83% % 52.4% 26.2% 15% 9% 74% Overall % 51.7% 25.3% 12% 88% 72% Lambs marked percent (lambs per ewe joined and present at start of lambing) Notes: Ewe lambs weighing 37 kg or less were not joined for the 29 lambing. The 29 pregnancy scanning result was related to the age of the lambs and their average weight, this is a reflection of their management before they were delivered to the Elmore Field Days. The lambs early life on their home farm would be expected to have a lesser effect in future years. In 29 the number of lambs born (168) was below the number of lamb foetuses scanned (196). This may be for several reasons including (i) the scanning result over-estimated the number of lambs, (ii) some lamb foetuses we absorbed by their mothers, no abortions were apparent at flock inspections and supplementary feedings, or (iii) some lambs were taken by predators and not counted as being born, this is unlikely as the lambing ewes were inspected twice daily in their small lambing paddocks. In 21 the association between number of foetuses scanned and lambs born was much closer. 21 Lambing 21 breeding season. Ewes joined 28Dec29. Average age of all groups at joining is 2 months. Team Ewe age at mid joining, for 21 lambing Age in months Average weight of ewes during joining on 12Jan21 Condition score at pregnancy scanning on 24Mar21 Ewes scanned as dry, (percent of ewes joined) Ewes scanned as carrying singles, ewes joined) Ewes scanned as carrying twins or triplets, ewes joined) Pregnancy scan results 24Mar21 Number of foetus per ewe joined Lambs born percent (lambs per ewe joined and present at start of lambing) BLx % 42.9% 52.4% 148% 138% 124% LV % 65.9% 24.4% 115% 115% 9% CP % 5.% 45.2% 141% 135% 121% % 68.3% 19.5% 17% 11% 9% % 56.1% 43.9% 146% 143% 124% Lambs marked percent (lambs per ewe joined and present at start of lambing) Overall % 56.3% 37.4% 131% 128% 11% Page 26 of 52

15 211 Lambing 211 breeding season. Ewes joined 1Dec21. Average age of all groups at joining is 2½ years. Team Ewe age at mid joining, for 211 lambing Age in years Average weight of ewes during joining on 17Jan211 Condition score at pregnancy scanning on 17Jan211 Ewes scanned as dry, ewes joined) Ewes scanned as carrying singles, ewes joined) Ewes scanned as carrying twins or triplets, ewes joined) Pregnancy scan results 5Mar211 Number of foetus per ewe joined Lambs born percent (lambs per ewe joined and present at start of lambing) BLx 2½ % 42.9% 54.8% 152% 14% 138% LV 2½ % 7.% 22.5% 115% 18% 95% CP 2½ % 54.8% 38.1% 131% 13% 114% 2½ % 72.2% 22.2% 117% 122% 94% 2½ % 42.5% 59.5% 16% 155% 138% Overall 2½ % 56.% 39.5% 134% 13% 116% Lambs marked percent (lambs per ewe joined and present at start of lambing) Notes: Lambs born are the total of lambs marked plus the dead lamb pickup for each mob. Lambing ewes were inspected twice daily during lambing Two ewes scanned as dry was found to have lambed by lamb marking. These ewes were then reallocated as carrying single at scanning 212 Lambing 212 breeding season. Ewes joined 1Feb212. Average age of all groups at joining is about 3½ years. Team Ewe age at mid joining, for 212 lambing Age in years Average weight (fleece free) ewes during joining on 22Feb212 kg Condition score at pregnancy scanning on 22Feb212 Ewes scanned as dry, ewes joined) Ewes scanned as carrying singles, ewes joined) Ewes scanned as carrying twins or triplets, ewes joined) Pregnancy scan results 2Apr212 Number of foetus per ewe joined Lambs born percent (lambs per ewe joined and present at start of lambing) BLx 3½ % 17.5% 77.5% 175% 165% 148% LV 3½ % 3.8% 59.% 149% 131% 11% CP 3½ % 19.% 73.8% 169% 16% 129% 3½ % 42.9% 45.7% 134% 126% 111% 3½ % 25.% 75.% 178% 169% 149% Overall 3½ % 27.% 66.2% 161% 15% 129% Lambs marked percent (lambs per ewe joined and present at start of lambing) 213 Lambing 213 breeding season. Ewes joined 1Feb213. Average age of all groups at joining is about 4½ years. Team Ewe age at mid joining, for 213 lambing Age in years Average weight (fleece free) ewes during joining on 14Mar213 kg Condition score at pregnancy scanning on 14Mar213 Ewes scanned as dry, ewes joined) Ewes scanned as carrying singles, ewes joined) Ewes scanned as carrying twins or triplets, ewes joined) Pregnancy scan results 24Apr213 Number of foetus per ewe joined Lambs born percent (lambs per ewe joined and present at start of lambing) BLx 4½ % 22.9% 77.1% 183% 177% 134% LV 4½ % 38.9% 52.8% 146% 119% 97% CP 4½ % 25.6% 69.2% 164% 146% 11% 4½ % 31.4% 6.% 152% 131% 91% 4½ % 2.5% 74.4% 169% 164% 126% Lambs marked percent (lambs per ewe joined and present at start of lambing) Overall 4½ % 27.9% 66.7% 163% 148% 112% Page 27 of 52

16 214 Lambing 214 breeding season. Ewes joined 1Nov213. Average age of all groups at joining is about 5½ years. Team Ewe age at mid joining, for 213 lambing Age in years Average weight (fleece free) ewes during joining 14Mar213 kg Condition score at pregnancy scanning on 14Mar213 Ewes scanned as dry, ewes joined) Ewes scanned as carrying singles, ewes joined) Ewes scanned as carrying twins or triplets, ewes joined) Pregnancy scan results 31Jan214 Number of foetus per ewe joined Lambs born percent (lambs per ewe joined and present at start of lambing) BLx 5½ % 38.7% 48.4% 135% 13% 117% LV 5½ % 55.9% 32.4% 123% 19% 88% CP 5½ % 39.5% 47.4% 134% 122% 15% 5½ % 54.3% 31.4% 117% 111% 94% 5½ % 32.4% 56.8% 145% 147% 126% Overall 5½ % 44.2% 43.3% 131% 124% 16% Lambs marked percent (lambs per ewe joined and present at start of lambing) Notes on above tables: 1 Lambs born are the total of lambs marked plus the dead lamb pickup for each mob. Lambing ewes were inspected twice daily during lambing 2 If a scanned as dry was found to have lambed by lamb marking. This ewe was then reallocated as carrying single at scanning. This applied to about one each year, confirming the accuracy of scanning Cause of lamb death Cause of lamb death summary. DPI vets at Bendigo and Echuca were involved in post mortem examination of dead lambs. Cause of death Percent 29 Percent 21 Percent 211 Percent 212 Percent 213 Percent 214 Dystocia 32% 47% 39% 2% 21% 33% Mis-mothered and starvation includes stronger twins 29% 24% 21% 24% 55% 3% Still born, but not dystocia 26% 3% 15% 14% Small and weak, includes premature and weak twins 6% 5% 17% 14% 13% Predation (fox or dog) 6% 8% 3% 24% Exposure 3% 7% Infection 2% Unknown 1% 2% 9% 9% 1% Total 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% Lamb weight and carcase Lamb weight and dressing percentage Lambs reared as singles or twins could not be identified in this trial. Other research indicates twin lambs grow from 12 to 2% slower than single lambs to weaning. Thus breeds with higher lambing percentages and a higher number of twins would have a twin lamb growth penalty. Lamb weight, all lambs before any sales, average over 5 adult lambings kg x cross Least significant different difference between any two breeds is is.5 kg (P=.5) , Page 28 of 52

17 Lamb weight gain from marking until the first lambs were sold, average over 5 adult lambings grams/day 261 x cross Least significant different difference between any two breed s is 3 grams/day (P=.5) 241, Lamb dressing percentage, average of four batches measured 6% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% % Percent 47.2% 46.4% 46.7% 47.1% 47.4% x cross Least significant different difference between any two breeds is.3% (P=.5), Lamb live weight produced per ewe, average over 5 adult lambings kg x cross The lamb live weight per ewe is calculated from the average lamb weight and lamb marking percentage 42.6, Lambs sold in the first draft. In the years 21, 211, 212 and 214 the cut-off weight was 46 kg. In 213 the cut off weight was 42 kg. Least significant different difference between any two breed s is 4.% (P=.5) 8% 6% 4% 2% % 67.4% x cross 45.3%, 55.8% 58.4% 72.% The percentage of lambs reaching the target weight of the first draft is influenced by the lambing percentage. Twin lambs grow 12 to 2% slower to weaning than singles, thus they will have a lower chance of reaching the target live weight for the first draft. Page 29 of 52

18 Lamb growth each year Lamb weights prior to marketing the first draft each year Note: Border Leicester x, Loddon Valley 29 lambing. Lambs born late winter and carried over summer on dryland lucerne. Weight on 1 Feb 21 kg 21 lambing. Weight on 5 Nov 21 kg lambing. Weight on 2 Oct 211 kg lambing. Weight on 22 Nov 212 kg lambing.weight on 1 Dec 213 kg lambing. Weight on 11 Sept 214 kg Twin lambs grow from 12 to 2% slower than single lambs to weaning. Thus breeds with higher lambing percentages and a higher number of twins would have a twin lamb rearing penalty, but not a genetic penalty slowing the growth of lambs. 29 Lamb weight, kg 29 drop lambs. White Suffolk rams used over the 5 breeds Pasture conditions, average birth date and weaning date are shown 6 5 Quality green pasture lambs growing rapidly Dry paddock feed lambs maintaining weight Dryland lucerne - on agistment lambs growing rapidly Average birth date 12 Aug Lamb marking 9 Sept Weight after 7 weeks on lucerne BLxMer ewe 1 Weaning 3 Nov LV CPMer Page 3 of 52

19 21 Lamb weight, 21 drop, kg drop lambs. White Suffolk rams used over the 5 breeds During lambing: Ewes lambed on 15 kg/ha green pasture, supplemented with 22 g/day barley Green pasture, 15 to 3 kg/ha Weaning 8 October 5 Nov, Weight just before first draft of 92 lambs sold Rain in late spring keeps grass green Lambs grown out on dryland lucerne over summer BLxMer ewe LV CPMer 1Apr, just before final draft of 9 lambs sold 4 3 Average birth date 13 June Lamb marking 22 July 18 Nov, Weight just before second draft of 43 lambs sold The average lamb weight gain is shown below. Lambs bred from White Suffolk rams to the listed ewe breeds. Ewe breeds with higher lambing percentages had more twins. Twins would normally grow about 12 to 18% slower than singles from marking to weaning: 2 1 A 'fall' in lamb weight on the graph indicates the heavy lambs are sold, thus the average weights of the remaining lambs are reduced Weight gain Marking - 5Nov 18Nov-1Apr g/day g/day XB ewes ewes CP ewes Lamb weight, 211 drop, kg 211 drop lambs. Poll Dorset rams used over the 5 breeds BLxMer ewe LV CPMer 7 Ewes lambed on 2 kg/ha green pasture, no supplement Green pasture, 2 to 3 kg/ha Lambs on dryland lucerne after weaning 6 Weight 6 October 2 Oct, Weight just before first draft of 118 lambs sold 5 Weaning 15 Sept Average birth date 12 May Lamb marking 3 Sept. 5 lambs, 1 from each breed to meat display at field days A 'fall' in lamb weight on the graph indicates the heavy lambs are sold, thus the average weights of the remaining lambs are reduced 17 Nov, Weight just before second draft of 18 lambs sold Page 31 of 52

20 212 Lamb weight kg Grain supplement fed twice per week at lambing 212 drop lambs. Poll Dorset rams used over the 5 breeds, weights adjusted to 'fleece free' Green pasture, 2 to 3 kg/ha Just before first draft of lambs sold 22 Nov Pastures rapidly drying off Grain supplement fed to lambs as lucerne growth stopped Just before second draft of lambs sold 15Feb Grain and silage supplement fed to lambs Average birth date 15 Jul Lamb marking 15 Aug A 'fall' in lamb weight on the graph indicates the heavy lambs are sold, thus the average weights of the remaining lambs are reduced BLxMer ewe LV CPMer drop lambs. Poll Dorset rams used over the 5 breeds, weights adjusted to 'fleece free' Lamb weight kg 5 45 Grain supplement fed twice per week at lambing Green pasture, 2 to 3 kg/ha Grain supplement fed from mid November when pastures dried off until sale Average birth date 15 Jul Lamb marking 13 Aug Weaning late September Weight 1 Dec, a few days before lambs sold BLxMer ewe LV CPMer 5 Page 32 of 52

21 drop lambs. Poll Dorset rams used over the 5 breeds Lamb weight kg Early season break, green pasture 15 kg/ha at lambing. Grain supplement fed twice per week at lambing Lamb marking 3 May Green pasture, 2 to 3 kg/ha Weaning late 5 Aug Average birth date 15 Apr Weight 11 Sept, before 1st batch lambs sold BLxMer ewe LV CPMer Wool Weight Growing and rearing a lamb can reduce greasy fleece weight by up to one kg. It will also affect fibre diameter and wool tensile strength. Thus ewes with higher lambing percentages will have a larger fleece weight penalty and other wool changes. Some breeds will also put more energy into their milk supply and growing the lamb, thus ewes rearing faster growing lambs will also have a larger wool penalty. Greasy fleece weight, average 5 adult shearings kg 5.48 x cross 6.62, Least significant different difference between any two breeds is.52 kg (P=.5) Greasy fleece weight kg x cross , Oct 29 shearing, 9 months wool Oct 21 shearing Oct 211 shearing Oct 212 shearing Oct 213 shearing Oct 214 shearing Page 33 of 52

22 Clean fleece weight, average of 5 adult shearings CFW, kg/head x cross Least significant different difference between any two breeds is.38 kg (P=.5) 4.84, Clean fleece weight kg x cross , Oct 29 shearing, 9 months wool Oct 21 shearing Oct 211 shearing Oct 212 shearing Oct 213 shearing Oct 214 shearing Yield Fleece wool yield, average 5 adult shearings percent The fleece yield each year is the average of the mid side samples and the bale core test x cross, Least significant different difference between any two breeds is.6 pct (P=.5) Fibre diameter Fibre diameter, average 5 adult shearings um x cross Least significant different difference between any two breeds is 1.3 um (P=.5) 2.9, Page 34 of 52

23 Fibre diameter um x cross , Oct 29 shearing, 9 months wool Oct 21 shearing Oct 211 shearing Oct 212 shearing Oct 213 shearing Oct 214 shearing Wool price and returns Wool prices are the average for each diameter and type over the previous 12 months. Wool price, fleece wool only c/kg clean x cross 1, , , 1,212 1,19 1, , , Oct 29 shearing, 9 mths wool Oct 21 shearing Oct 211 shearing Oct 212 shearing Oct 213 shearing Oct 214 shearing Wool returns are calculated using average wool prices for each diameter and type over the previous 12 months. Total wool value, including fleece, pieces & bellies $/head $7 $6 $5 $4 $3 $2 $1 $ $23.39 $16.13 $21.84 $21.48 $16.85 $12.4 x cross $55.16 $41.65 $64.76 $61.24 $42.1 $29.38, $48.43 $36.21 $59.59 $59.45 $44.68 $31.67 Oct 29 shearing, 9 months wool Oct 21 shearing Oct 211 shearing Oct 212 shearing Oct 213 shearing Oct 214 shearing $41.47 $3.28 $47.25 $43.71 $3.81 $21.18 $23.82 $19.99 $27.13 $24.34 $2.56 $15.15 Ewes penned for regular management work Page 35 of 52

24 Additional measurements on mid side samples Additional measurements of coefficient of variation of fibre diameter (CV) and wool comfort factor (CF) on the individual sheep mid side samples are shown below. Ewe breed Coefficient of variation of fibre diameter (CV), Average 5 adult shearings. Least significant difference between any two breeds is 1.17 Border Leicester x, Loddon Valley shearing shearing shearing shearing shearing shearing Wool comfort factor Average 5 adult shearings. Least significant difference between any two breeds is shearing shearing shearing shearing shearing shearing Bale core and grab sample measurements The fleece wool was auctioned as breed based lines. The results from the pre sale tests are shown below. Average of 5 adult shearings 21 to 214 Breed Border Leicester x, Loddon Valley Bale brand AAAFX AAAM AAAM AAAMDOHNE AAAM Fibre diameter Micron um CV % Comfort factor (% fibres under 3 um) Curvature Hauteur mm Yield VM % Sch dry yield % Staple Length mm CV% Strength n/kt Position of break Tip % Mid % Base % Page 36 of 52

25 21 Bale results Breed Border Leicester x, Loddon Valley Bale brand AAAFX AAAM AAAM AAAMDOHNE AAAM Fibre diameter Micron um CV % Comfort factor (% fibres under 3 um) Curvature Hauteur mm Yield VM % Sch dry yield % Staple Length mm CV% Strength n/kt Position of break Tip % Mid % Base % Average Yellowness, see note below Note AWTA introduced Average Yellowness (and conversely, the Whiteness) of wool after scouring in the late 198s. Average Yellowness is related to dyeing performance and it is not necessarily related to the colour of greasy wool. However the uptake of the measurement has been slow, largely because there is a widespread belief that the bulk of Australian wool is white and bright and therefore the Yellowness measurement adds little value. More information on the AWTA website. 211 Bale results Breed x, Loddon Valley Bale brand AAAFX AAAM AAAM AAAMDOHN E Fibre diameter Micron um CV % Comfort factor (% fibres under um) Curvature Hauteur mm Yield VM % Sch dry yield % Staple Length mm CV% Strength n/kt Position of break Tip % Mid % Base % AAAM Page 37 of 52

26 212 Bale results Breed x, Loddon Valley Bale brand AAAFX AAAM AAAM AAAMDOHNE AAAM Fibre diameter Micron um CV % Comfort factor (% fibres under um) Curvature Hauteur mm Yield VM % Sch dry yield % Staple Length mm CV% Strength n/kt Position of break Tip % Mid % Base % Bale results Breed x, Loddon Valley Bale brand AAAFX AAAM AAAM AAAMDOHNE AAAM Fibre diameter Micron um CV % Comfort factor (% fibres under um) Curvature Hauteur mm Yield VM % Sch dry yield % Staple Length mm CV% Strength n/kt Position of break Tip % Mid % Base % Page 38 of 52

27 214 Bale results Breed x, Loddon Valley Bale brand AAAFX AAAM AAAM AAAMDOHNE AAAM Fibre diameter Micron um CV % Comfort factor (% fibres under um) Curvature Hauteur mm Yield VM % Sch dry yield % Staple Length mm CV% Strength n/kt Position of break Tip % Mid % Base % Visual scores on wool and sheep Fleece rot score Fleece rot was scored on 3 occasions using the standard method from the AWI score cards Fleece rot score 1 and 5, taken 6 Sept 211 Page 39 of 52