Dry conditions highlight importance of Body Condition Scoring ewes at weaning

Weaning is one of the key times to body condition score (BCS) ewes (the others are pre-mating and scanning) as it allows for targeted management and better feed-use efficiency, which is particularly valuable when feed supplies are tight.

Lighter condition ewes can be priority fed over summer while ewes at a BCS of 3 and above can be used for pasture control or maintenance.

Running ewes in one mob over summer means feed is wasted putting extra condition on ewes that have already reached their optimal BCS, while lighter ewes are struggling to compete, creating a tail of skinny ewes.

Extra feed is better to be partitioned into lifting the bottom end of the flock, so these ewes are going to the ram at an optimal BCS of 3.

A BCS of 3 at mating is critical to achieving a high pregnancy rate and establishing a pregnancy that is more likely to result in healthy lambs at docking. It takes time to increase ewe condition, especially if feed is limited and growth rates are low. Ewes need 1.0 to 1.3kg of average to good quality dry matter per day to just hold at BCS 3 over summer.

Management options to increase the BCS of lighter ewes include running the ewes with ewe lambs, rotating them ahead of the main ewe flock or using a summer feed crop.

While repeat offenders can be culled, multiple-bearing ewes should be given the opportunity to regain condition over summer before a culling decision is made.

If feed is particularly tight, consider selling younger ewes which are under BCS 3 and keep older ewes of a BCS of 3 and above.

Scoring The Flock

Body condition scoring (BCS) is a quick and easy low-cost management tool to increase ewe productivity and flock profitability. Body condition scoring assesses the amount of body fat or condition by feeling the vertical (spine) and horizontal processes along the loin area. It is based on a scale of 1-5, 1 being very skinny and 5 being very fat.

When BCS sheep?

There are three key times to body condition score your flock: 

1. Weaning
2. Pre-tupping/pre-mating
3. Scanning