Accelerated Lambing Systems

Accelerated Lambing Systems

Accelerated lambing is when ewes lamb more frequently than once a year. The purpose of accelerated lambing systems is to reduce fixed costs, produce a more uniform supply of lamb throughout the year, and increase profitability. There are several accelerated lambing systems.

Twice a year lambing

The most intensive form of accelerated lambing is twice a year lambing whereby a ewe would produce two lamb crops per year. Twice a year lambing has the potential to maximize lamb production, but may not be practical under most commercial situations.

Opportunistic Lambing

Opportunistic lambing is when rams are kept with the flock on a continuous basis. With the right kind of ewes, this will result in a lambing interval of less than 12 months. The problem with opportunistic lambing is you don't know when lambs are due, so the timing of vaccinations, deworming, and supplemental feeding are more difficult.

Three lamb crops in two years

The most common system of accelerated lambing is three lamb crops in two years, resulting in an average lambing interval of 8 months or 1.5 lambings per ewe per year. The 3/2 system is usually characterized by a fixed mating and lambing schedule, (pas aan by jou eie sisteem) such as May mating/October lambing, January mating/June lambing, and September mating/February lambing (or slight variations). Up to a 40 percent increase in production has been achieved with this type of accelerated lambing system.

If a ewe misses a breeding, she can still lamb three times in two years.

The STAR system is a natural system that does not use hormones or light control to achieve out-of-season breeding. It involves selecting sheep that breed during any season.

The economics of accelerated lambing must be carefully examined. The increased income from the sale of lambs needs to compensate for the added costs and labor inputs. In addition, accelerated lambing requires a much higher level of management.