Like to see more lambs?

Like to see more lambs?

Ovastim can help you increase your profitability The sale of lambs constitutes 7% of gross income in second cross lamb enterprises, and over 5% of gross income in first cross enterprises (MLA Wean More, 24) It is well established that the best way to increase the profitability of a prime lamb enterprise is to have a higher ratio of lambs produced to ewes carried (reproductive efficiency). Ovastim can help optimise the number of lambs produced from your breeding ewes, giving you two options for maximising your profitability. 1. Produce more lambs from your current ewe numbers Maximise the return on your input costs by selling more lambs each year. Rebuild numbers quickly during restocking programmes. Apply greater selection pressure to improve your stock faster. Adapt to changing markets by changing flock structure quickly. 2. Produce the same number of lambs from fewer ewes Reduce your input costs while maximising your output returns. Maintain a sustainable pasture management programme and improve pasture utilisation. Reduce grazing pressure (DSE rating) and the need for costly supplementary feeding when pasture availability is low.

OVASTIM CAN HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR production GOALS! Reproductive efficiency can provide significant improvement in the profitability of a lamb enterprise. There are two main determinants of reproductive efficiency. Reproductive efficiency FERTILITY Ability to conceive FECUNDITY The number of offspring produced Influenced by : Reproductive status of the ewe Sperm production in the ram Influenced by : Ovulation rate (number of eggs released during ovulation) OVASTIM CAN BOOST THE OVULATION RATE OF YOUR EWES AND INCREASE THE PROPORTION OF TWIN BEARING EWES IN YOUR FLOCK Ovastim Profit Calculator Number of ewes joined 1 Market value of lambs $8 Income ($) gained from Ovastim with an increase in lambing percentage Current lambing % Increase in Lambing % 5% 1% 15% 2% 7% $2,8 $ 5,6 $ 8,4 $11,2 9% $3,6 $ 7,2 $1,8 $14,4 11% $4,4 $8,8 $13,2 $1 7,6 13% $5,2 $1,4 $15,6 $2,8 15% $6, $12, $18, $24,

How does Ovastim work? Ovastim contains polyandroalbumin which is a combination of a steroid (androstenedione) and a protein (albumin). In UNTREATED ewes Androstenedione occurs naturally in ewes and provides feedback to the brain during the ovulation process, saying that an egg has been released from the ovary. A return message is sent from the brain to the ovary to prevent any more eggs from being released. In OVASTIM TREATED ewes The injection stimulates an immune response, causing antibodies that act against the androstenedione to develop. The antibodies block the androstenedione in the feedback control of the oestrus cycle, so there is an increase in ovulation rate. This can increase the number of ewes with twins. It may also lead to a small increase in the number of triplets, particularly in flocks where the fecundity (twinning rate) is already high. Where will Ovastim give the greatest return? 1. Flocks with a marking rate of between 7% and 15% Ovastim is best suited to British breeds and crossbred ewes that already have high fecundity. Flocks that have less than 7% marking rate are likely to have fertility and management issues that will not be addressed by Ovastim. Flocks with an extremely high lambing rate >15% (high proportion of twins) are likely to produce many more triplets. Without good management, increased stress on the ewes could result. 2. Ewes condition scored target score 3 Ewe nutrition is the most important factor to ensure the best reproductive performance and survival rate of lambs. If ewe condition score can increase leading up to lambing, an increased lamb survival rate is expected, especially in twin bearing ewes. Ewes in poor condition score will potentially fail to join, and could reduce lamb survival rate. 4. Ewes in general good health Ewes in poor condition due to inadequate nutrition or health issues may have low fertility. Parasites can seriously affect the condition of your livestock. Strategic monitoring with worm egg counts (WEC) and treatment of parasites can prevent major production losses and assist the effectiveness of Ovastim. 5. Ewes monitored at lambing Sheltered paddocks during lambing protects lambs and ewes from predation and harsh environmental conditions. Good management practices such as monitoring your flocks can increase the survival rate of your lambs which increases your profitability. Note: Ovastim will have no influence on the fertility of your livestock Take care when selecting and managing rams. Ewes that are dry at scanning should be culled to avoid carrying unproductive stock. 3. Ewes pregnancy scanned Scanning indentifies dry ewes, singles, twins and triplets Ewes with twins and triplets need to be given adequate nutrition and suitable management to maximise lamb survival.

Performance of Ovastim Ovastim can be expected to increase ovulation rate by 18 45% Untreated Graph 1. Ewe Fecundity of Composite Merino X Composite ewes treated with Ovastim (Kojonup WA 29) 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Untreated Graph 2. Ewe Fecundity of Merino X Border Leicester ewes treated with Ovastim (Kojonup WA 29) 65 55 45 35 25 15 5 Control Graph 3. Ewe Fecundity of Border Leicester X Merino ewes immunized against ANDROSTENEDIONE (Beaufort VIC 1983) 2 16 12 8 4 Note: Ewes treated with same active as Ovastim Control Graph 4. Ewe Fecundity of Border Leicester X Merino ewes immunized against ANDROSTENEDIONE (Finley NSW 1983) 2 16 12 8 4 Note: Ewes treated with same active as Ovastim

Product Specifications Active Ingredient Polyandroalbumin (.6mg/mL) Witholding periods Meat: Nil Milk: Nil Presentation 1mL (5 doses) Safety Ovastim is NOT dangerous to human health. Directions for use Ovastim is administered to ewes each year prior to joining. If treatment is not continued each year (max 14 months between injections), the ewes fecundity will revert to pre-treatment levels. Ovastim administration Ewes NOT treated previously Ewes treated previously 6-9 weeks prior to joining 2mL 3-4 weeks prior to joining 2mL - 2mL 3 Increase the ovulation rate of your ewes 3 Increase the lambing percentage of your flock 3 Increase the profitability of your sheep enterprise Customer Support Tel: 18 9 847 www.virbac.com.au