Name:
Matt Clarke
Location:
Pine Grove Station, Hawker
Average Rainfall:
300 mm
Enterprises:
Self-replacing merino and terminal sire over merino
Farm Area:
30,350 hectares
The Clarke’s (Figure 1) own and operate Pine Grove, situated 40 km southeast of Hawker. They manage 6,000 merino ewes with approximately 45% being a self-replacing merino flock with the other 55% mated to terminal sires (White Suffolk) for prime lamb production.
The Clarke’s (Figure 1) own and operate Pine Grove, situated 40 km southeast of Hawker. They manage 6,000 merino ewes with approximately 45% being a self-replacing merino flock with the other 55% mated to terminal sires (White Suffolk) for prime lamb production. All maiden ewes are mated to merino rams. Young ewes are then classed and culls retained and mated to White Suffolk rams, with other ages mated to a mix of merino and White Suffolk rams. Ewes are sold at 6 years of age. Shearing is undertaken in April with ewes lambing in June/July.
Figure 1. Matt and Chas Clarke, Pine Grove
The Clarkes had a new set of Pro-way sheep yards constructed in 2017, which has been a significant investment. Despite the high cost of the yards they have provided significant labour efficiency making it quicker and less stressful to undertake sheep handling operations.
The efficiency of the design has reduced the stress on both the livestock and the operators with contractors keen to return, due to the ease of operation. This is a major advantage, particularly in pastoral areas as good quality labour can be hard to source.
Motivation to change practices
Matt felt that there was an opportunity to improve the productivity of his sheep flock by increasing the lambing percentage of his ewes.
What were the alternative options that he considered?
Option 1: Keep all ewes, only selling cast for age ewes in October after weaning (Old system)
Option 2: Pregnancy scan 6 year old ewes and sell dry ewes in April, after shearing.
Option 3: Pregnancy scan all ewes and sell old dry ewes in April and re-mate young dry ewes to terminal sires in September (New system).
In 2018, ewes were provided with supplementary feed (hay) in the last 8 weeks of pregnancy to increase ewe and lamb survival. This was undertaken for the first time, due to the poor seasonal conditions and high livestock returns.
Matt had used Option 3 in 2015 and 2016, as it increased his livestock productivity (lambing percentages: Maiden ewes 80% and Mature ewes 85%), and reduced costs, while increasing flexibility. However, due to a shortage of labour in 2017, he was forced to revert to Option 2.
The Clarke’s initially started pregnancy scanning old ewes and this worked very well and then decided to scan all the ewes to remove barren ewes from the flock.
Comparison of the benefits and costs considered before deciding what ‘best’ option for improved productivity. This information may assist in demonstrating the potential benefit or cost that the change or innovation can have on your business.
Table 1:Description of benefits and costs relative to Option 1 (No change)
|
Option 2 - Old ewes scanned |
Option 3 - All ewes scanned |
||
Benefits - Additional income/other benefits |
||||
Cull ewes |
300 sold April @ extra $15/hd |
$4,500 |
300 sold April @ extra $15/hd |
$4,500 |
Prime lambs |
|
|
200 @ $100/head |
$20,000 |
Pasture feed |
Additional pasture feed available |
|
Additional pasture feed available |
|
Total benefits |
|
$4,500 |
|
$24,500 |
Costs - New variable costs |
||||
Pregnancy scanning |
1,400 old ewes @ $0.50/hd plus travel |
$870 |
6,000 ewes @ $0.50/hd plus 2 time travel |
$3,350 |
Mustering |
3 days for 2 people @ $200/day |
$1,200 |
7 days for 2 people @ $220/day |
$2,800 |
New overhead costs |
None |
|
None |
|
Total Costs |
|
$2,070 |
|
$6,150 |
GROSS MARGIN |
|
$2,430 |
|
$18,350 |
When considering making a change to the management practices in a business, it is important to consider the risks of doing so and how they may be mitigated. Table 2 outlines some of the key risks considered and addressed before changing.
Table 2: The risks associated with changing management
What are the risks? |
How is this risk managed? |
Stock stressed during mustering and scanning |
The Clarke’s have built a set of new highly efficient sheep handling yards, making handling easier for both sheep and operators |
Scanning is conducted in two lots of 3,000 ewes per day, several days apart to allow time for mustering |
|
Poor seasonal conditions |
Sell all dry ewes after pregnancy scanning |
When making a decision the cost of implementation isn’t the only thing to consider. The other areas on top of costs and risks are the implications to Workplace Health and Safety (WHS), labour, time requirements, and how easy the innovation will be to implement.
Prepared by Michael Wurst, Primary Industries and Regions SA: Rural Solutions SA (2018).
Print Case Study.
Thank you to Matt and Chas Clarke and Michelle Cousins (Cousins Merino Services) for their assistance in preparing this case study.
This project is supported by AWI, Primary Industries and Regions SA, SA Sheep Industry Fund, the South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board and the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program and the NRM Levies.