Efficiency in Lamb Breeding: A ProBreed Perspective In 2024, the processing sector has shown a keen interest in heavier lambs. However, at ProBreed, we firmly believe that efficiency remains the cornerstone of successful lamb production. Let's delve into how ProBreed's approach aligns with this philosophy.   1. The Pursuit of Efficiency Efficiency is multifaceted. It encompasses not only the number of lambs produced but also their growth rate and overall health. As a producer, it's essential to strike a balance between size and efficiency. While larger lambs may seem appealing, their rapid growth and feed consumed can sometimes come at the expense of long-term productivity. THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY REVIEW To support our commitment to efficiency, we draw insights from the literature review titled Improving the on-farm energetic efficiency of the Australian lamb industry . Conducted by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), this review explores key factors influencing energy utilisation in lamb production. Here are some highlights: Energy Conversion and Utilisation Understanding energy partitioning—gross energy, digestible energy, metabolisable energy, and net energy—is crucial. Factors like feed quality, photoperiod, temperature, and humidity impact energy utilisation. Animal Factors and Genetics Sex, birth type, and temperament influence efficiency. Genotype matters too—high growth potential, muscling potential, and back fat potential play a role. Maternal genetics also affect lamb performance. Growth Trajectory and Body Composition Steady, balanced growth is essential for efficiency. Monitoring fat score and body composition helps maintain optimal lamb development. Prenatal Influences Maternal nutrition and stress during gestation impact lamb efficiency. 2. Grass-Fed Growth in the First 100 Days The critical early period—those first 100 days—sets the foundation for lamb development. ProBreed focuses on sires that excel in grass-fed environments. Our rams are carefully selected based on their ability to thrive on natural pasture, efficiently converting it into healthy lamb growth. Sustainability is at the core of our practices, ensuring robust lambs without compromising efficiency. 3. ProBreed's Commitment to the Australian Lamb Industry Remember that ProBreed supplies rams to the Australian lamb industry. Our dedication to efficiency extends beyond individual producers—it contributes to the industry's overall success. By prioritising efficient breeding practices, we collectively enhance lamb production across the nation. 4. Stay Focussed As a producer, it's tempting to be seduced by the allure of bigger lambs. However, we encourage you to stay focused on efficiency. Consider the long-term benefits of well-balanced growth and sustainable practices. ProBreed stands by your side, providing support and guidance on this rewarding journey. At ProBreed, we refuse mediocrity and embrace a growth mindset. Prioritise efficiency—it's the key to sustainable success! 🐑💡  Upcoming Ram Sale ProBreed rams available for private selection, by appointment, from Wednesday 9 October 2024.

In the quest for excellence within the Australian Lamb Industry, the role of genetics cannot be overstated. At the forefront of this genetic evolution are Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs), a set of predictive tools that are reshaping how we understand and select ram genetics for a sustainable and profitable future. ASBVs provide a comprehensive prediction of an animal’s genetic merit for a range of economically important traits .   These traits encompass growth, carcass and eating quality, wool characteristics, reproduction, health, and welfare traits. By evaluating these traits, ASBVs offer a glimpse into the potential performance of an animal’s progeny, based on the genetic legacy they inherit. Unlike Flock Breeding Values (FBVs), which are limited to comparisons within a single flock, ASBVs are comparable across different flocks.  This universality allows for a broader, more accurate assessment of genetic merit, facilitating better-informed selection decisions across the industry. The process of estimating ASBVs involves a meticulous analysis of data, pedigree, and genomic information collected by Sheep Genetics members.  This data-driven approach ensures that the breeding values reflect a true genetic potential, rather than being influenced by environmental factors. Indexes, which combine multiple production traits into a single, weighted figure, further streamline the selection process.  By ranking animals based on these indexes, breeders can quickly identify the best candidates for their specific production goals, ensuring balanced genetic progress. ProBreed’s commitment to utilising ASBVs in ram selection exemplifies the innovative spirit driving the Australian Lamb Industry forward.  By embracing these advanced genetic tools, ProBreed is not only enhancing the quality and performance of their rams but also contributing to the industry’s overarching goal of producing high-quality, sustainable lamb products for the world. For more insights into the transformative impact of ASBVs on ram genetics and the Australian Lamb Industry, stay tuned to upcoming articles at probreed.com.au/blog where we will delve deeper into each trait and the science behind genetic selection. x

Rebuilding Flocks with High Fertility Maternal Lines One constant is climate variability where droughts can challenge even the hardiest of sheep, breeders seek resilient solutions. ProBreed, a trusted name in the industry, offers three distinct ram lines: ProBreed Maternal ; ProBreed Plus ; and ProBreed Terminal . Let's explore how high fertility maternal rams play a crucial role in rebuilding flocks after droughts. 1. The PROBREED MATERNAL  Line Self Replacing Fertility: The ProBreed Maternal line is a beacon of fertility. Ewes within this lineage consistently produce healthy lambs, ensuring the flock's continuity. Adaptability: These rams thrive in diverse conditions. Their ability to conceive and rear lambs efficiently makes them ideal for rebuilding flocks post-drought. 2. The PROBREED PLUS Line Performance Merino Infusions: The ProBreed Plus combines the best of both worlds. By infusing performance merino genetics, it achieves lower micron wool without compromising maternal traits. Dual Purpose: These rams contribute to both wool and meat production. Their adaptability allows breeders to rebuild their flocks while maintaining wool quality. 3. The PROBREED TERMINAL Line Meat Excellence: The ProBreed Terminal line focuses on meat production. These rams deliver rapid early growth and superior meat quality. Easy Lambing: Their genetics ensure smooth lambing, minimising stress during critical periods. High Fertility Maternal Rams: Fast Recovery: After a drought, rebuilding flocks swiftly is essential. High fertility maternal rams play a pivotal role with shorter breeding intervals. These rams reduce the time between lambing seasons. More Lambs Per Annum: Ewes conceive sooner, leading to more lambs per year. Their genetics favour multiple births. More lambs mean faster flock replenishment. Healthy Lambs: High fertility rams produce robust lambs, increasing survival rates. A Numbers Game: As management has moved to capture the opportunity that higher fertility ewes possess our industry leading maternal lines place most producers in the best position to rebuild flocks cost effectively. As droughts test our resolve, ProBreed Rams stand strong. Whether it's the Maternal, Plus, or Terminal line, their genetics empower breeders to rebuild with confidence. Let's celebrate our high fertility maternal rams, rebuilding our flocks, one lamb at a time. #ProBreedRams #FlockResilience #SheepIndustry

The personal information we collect from you includes: Your name; Contact information; Anonymous website analytics and tracking information from trusted sites. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information or to have it corrected, please contact us at: email.  sales@probreed.com.au. address.  960 Inverleigh-Winchelsea Rd, Inverleigh, VIC 3321, Australia. To fulfil our promise, deliver services and work with you closely requires us to collect & store personal information about you and your business. However, ensuring that we never breach your trust is paramount to our business. So we will never knowingly share your data with anyone outside of a select number of our staff or key partners which form part of our business infrastructure. The personal information we collect from you includes: Your name Contact information Anonymous website analytics and tracking information from trusted partners such as Google, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn Billing information at the time of purchase, however we do not store any credit card details. Breeding objectives and sensitive business-related information that will help us optimise our services to your requirements. We collect your personal information in order to: Send newsletters if you have opted to receive them Contact you when requested Provide services and optimise our services to your business and unique requirements. Bill you for services rendered or purchases made by you. Improve our services, products and marketing activity based on usage of our online platforms and social media channels. Beside selected staff, we share this information with the following providers as part of our business infrastructure: Hubspot Trello Xero Woo commerce Google analytics Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Mailchimp Stripe (credit card payment gateway) Providing some information is optional. However; if you choose not to provide your name, email address and billing information, we will be unable to provide certain services. We keep your information safe by storing it in encrypted systems and only allow a select few of our employees to manage and access your data. You have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information or to have it corrected, please contact us at: email. sales@probreed.com.au phone. 0423 821 182 address. 960 Inverleigh-Winchelsea Rd, Inverleigh, VIC 3321, Australia. Privacy Policy. Privacy Policy. Privacy Policy. Terms & Conditions Terms & Conditions Ram Guarantee

Probreed guarantees their rams and lambs at sale: Guaranteed disease free; Guaranteed for first joining or 12 months of age; Guaranteed for structural faults until 12 months of age; Guaranteed fertility. Read our Best Practice Ram Care guide to ensure the most out of your rams. Ram Guarantee. Ram Guarantee. Ram Guarantee. PRODUCT CARE The Gain? Best Practice Ram Care. Best Practice Ram Care. Best Practice Ram Care. Prior to Arrival We carry out a comprehensive animal health program before the sale of the ram to you. This includes: All flocks are Accredited free of Brucellosis Annual palpation and blood testing of rams Full vaccination for clostridial diseases All ewes are vaccinated with Camplyobacter Site specific treatments are undertaken with consideration to climate and topography All animals are free from Lice and Footrot All animals are monitored for worm burden and where required treated All animals are vaccinated with Guidair against Ovine Johnes Copies of the Animal Health Summary and Accreditation Certificates are inserted into the back of this guide for your reference and records. On Arrival When you receive your ram, we recommend the following: Check for injury and lameness that may have occurred during transit. If you have any concerns please advise Probreed immediately. Ensure feed and water are available Mix with a socially equal and disease free group of peers. Re-check in three to seven days time for any issues or injuries that may occur while social hierarchy is established. A summary of what your ram was fed prior to arrival is included below. Please consider what your ram has been fed on as the ram will need to be adjusted to your feed base gradually in order to achieve a continued rising plane of nutrition and avoid stomach upset. Pre Mating It takes at least six weeks for viable semen to be produced by the ram. In order to achieve maximum fertility results, we recommend your ram team is fully vaccinated at least two months pre mating, and protected against the following: Ensure your ram team is fully vaccinated for all conditions of local significance (including salmonella and clostridial disease) Fully protected against flystrike Free from lameness Not presented with any sudden feed changes Not challenged by internal parasites - particularly barbers pole. If in doubt, vaccinate. Additional best practise recommendations: No ram in full wool should be put out for joining. Shear your rams between 16 and six weeks pre-mate. Probreed rams are shorn 8 weeks prior to sale. Body condition score (BSC) should start at 2.5 and increase through a rising plane of nutrition to achieve a minimum increase of 0.5 BCS over this time (this works out at 3-4kgs minimum live weight gain). Be aware of the challenge and have a contingency plan in the case of sickness or injury such as staggers, pneumonia/pleurisy, scald, photosensitivity, heat/cold stress, acidosis, dehydration or misadventure. The aforementioned are all possibilities for any sheep introduced to any farming enterprise, and if the challenge is higher than the pre-existing tolerance, the ram may get sick and underperform. Carry out a pre mate health inspection of rams before putting the ram out to ensure all rams are fit, healthy and able to perform their job. During Mating Mate at your selected ram ratio, remembering: We also advise you to useRam ratios can range in general from 1:50, 1:100 + 1. We advise you use local knowledge, history and awareness of geography and topography in particular. If in doubt, or if last year's scanning showed >4% dries and <80% ewes mated in the first cycle, increase to 1:80. Mature or two tooth rams, higher body weight, larger testicle rams will mate more ewes per ram than newly arrived acclimating ram lambs. Use higher mating ratios if you have used teasers, use higher ratio's if the ram team is made up of only ram lambs. Watch for health challenges through mating and act if rams are affected. This may mean adding more rams to joining mobs where rams are affected and potentially treating rams (be careful with any treatments that may negatively impact fertility). Optimum mating is >90% ewes mated in the first cycle resulting in 80+% pregnant. 35 days post mating (from rams being introduced to the ewes) the rams are ready to be removed. Post Mating Post Mating Carry out a second health check on your ram team and address any noted issues. Consider a worm drench for first season young rams and any other low BCS mixed-age rams. Best practice is to conduct a faecal egg count to ascertain if drenching is necessary. In principle, rams should not need drenching if ram ratio's, preparation, management and feed during mating were optimum. Ensure all rams are fed at a level to return to their pre mating body weight over the next six weeks. Scanning + Marking Scanning Scanning occurs at around 6 weeks post ram removal, dependent upon length of joining. Scanning serves as an excellent reminder to conduct another ram health check to ensure weight gain and general health to protect your asset. Scanning to Marking Ram lambs and two tooths (i.e. new first season rams) need to be fed well to achieve acceptable body weights as adults. Aim for live weight gain of 150g/day for ram lambs and 50g/day for two tooths at this time. Post Marking Run another health check and/ or vet check on your ram team including: Physical check-up and general winter BCS evaluation. Mouth and cheek check as the ram team ages and consider replacing any ram >4 years old on the basis of increased genetic merit from new purchases. Routine breeding and soundness check of the testicles, scrotum and pizzle. A vet check is highly recommended, including screening for Ovine Brucellosis. Basic stocktake of how many rams you require for the next breeding season based on genetic improvement and attrition on-farm. Probreed flocks are accredited under the Ovine Brucellosis Free states accreditation programs: Probreed exceeds program requirements by testing rams annually. Probreed recommends you test your rams annually prior to joining, ensuring that the follow up test is conducted and results received before putting rams out for joining. The Gain? The Gain? The Gain? So with all of the preceding information covered and applied, what are the likely outcomes? We're confident you will see the results. Ram Warranty Depending upon scale and technology, you should record improvements relatively quickly in relation to your breeding objective. By measuring, monitoring and using technology available to you we will be able to assist you in tracking your ram's progeny's progress to ensure potential is reached. Measuring, monitoring and analysis gives you certainty that your ram is as efficient and profitable as possible within your farming system. We will partner with you as you require along the way to help you achieve your breeding objective. If you are interested in a comprehensive genetic plan for your business, we can also work with you on this. Talk to one of our team for more information. You Gain Us. THE PROBREED GUARANTEE Product Care Warranty Policy. Warranty Policy. Warranty Policy. Now that we have provided you with all the information required to introduce your ram, acclimate your ram, joining your raam and check your ram post joining (and you have followed advice or sought independent advice) we are able to provide Ram Warranties* should anything go wrong. Ram / Lamb Warranty Ram / Lamb Guarantee Guaranteed disease free, including Brucellosis free on departure from selling centre Guaranteed for first joining or 12 months of age, provided ram lamb joining is no longer than 6 weeks Guaranteed for structural faults until 12 months of age Guaranteed fertility, subject to veterinary exam, testing and report Two Tooth Ram Warranty Two Tooth Ram Guarantee Guaranteed through to conclusion of first joining Guaranteed for structural faults Guaranteed fertility, subject to veterinary exam, testing and conclusive report. Replacement Rams Terms & Conditions Following the death of a Probreed ram, Probreed is to be contacted immediately. For rams that are deceased, the ear tag number and a photo of the ram with the tag in its ear must be supplied. Probreed will pay for any veterinary examinations of sick rams or autopsy of dead rams, should the veterinarian indicate that fault lies with Probreed. If Probreed is found not to be at fault, the owner of the animal agrees to pay all related fees. Where a ram is reported to have structural faults, Probreed will visit the property to inspect the ram with the owner. A replacement ram will be arranged as soon as possible, should this be deemed necessary. A ram will be replaced due to infertility, sickness or death (where a veterinarian indicates fault lies with Probreed). Replacement rams will be arranged as soon as possible. Should a replacement ram not be available then a credit will be issued. Replacement Ram Credits are to be used at the next available selection day. Website Policy Terms & Conditions

Read newspaper articles, feature articles and podcasts featuring Jamie Ramage and Mark Ferguson discussing genetics and the evolving landscape of sheep breeding in Australia and New Zealand. Media. Media. Media. Podcasts Articles Testimonials Promotional Podcasts. Podcasts. Podcasts. Head Shepherd In this episode, Mark Ferguson catches up with Jamie Ramage , a passionate individual in the agricultural industry. Ferg and Jamie begin with one of their favourite topics: maternal efficiency. The conversation covers the evolving landscape of sheep breeding, especially the shift towards composite sheep. We also dive into the ProBreed programme and glimpse into the future of sheep breeding in terms of shedding, wool and health traits, as well as the role marketing plays in the genetics space. This podcast episode is 47 minutes long. Head Shepherd is brought to you by neXtgen Agri International Limited . Meet Mark Newspaper Articles. Newspaper Articles. Newspaper Articles. Blog Posts Contact Us Play Video Play Video 02:12 David and Pixie Heath Testimonial, Winchelsea, Victoria Play Video Play Video 01:42 Gordon Brown Testimonial Play Video Play Video 02:00 Tom Lyons Testimonial, Dundas Park, Vasey, Victoria Promotional. Promotional. Promotional. This channel is coming soon! Testimonials. Testimonials. Testimonials.