Evaluation Of Strategies For Lambing Management

Abstract

Predicting ewe maternal success and measuring maternal bond strength remain, to an extent, topics of mystery. The optimization of management strategies will always be an important goal for any livestock farmer. Optimizing maternal success at lambing time is an essential point of focus for any farmer hoping to profit from his or her flock of sheep. As more is understood about the behavioral tendencies related to maternal success, management systems will be tailored to lower labor requirements, making sheep farming less stressful for those involved and encouraging the growth of the sheep industry. Any tactic that can work toward the goals of decreased labor and increased production, while preserving or enhancing animal welfare, should continue to be thoroughly explored. Allowing for and encouraging the natural expression of innate behaviors to achieve these goals, particularly including maternal behavior, will remain an important area of focus in keeping sheep production viable.