Fertility & Reproduction

Targeted traits:
Lamb Survival, Rearing Ability, Weaning Rate

Overview

Fertility is one of the strongest drivers of whole-flock productivity — more lambs on the ground means more selection pressure, more sale options, and greater efficiency across your ewe base. But high reproduction means little without strong mothering ability and lamb survival.

At Pooginook, we focus on selecting ewes that deliver consistent lamb numbers and raise them well, especially under commercial conditions. Our strategy combines weaning rate and ewe rearing ability to identify sheep that conceive early, rear twins, and perform over multiple seasons — with minimal intervention.

1. Weaning Rate (WR)

Weaning Rate tracks how many lambs are weaned per ewe joined — a direct reflection of reproductive efficiency, lamb survival, and mothering ability. It combines both fertility and early lamb health, offering a real-world measure of how productive your ewe base truly is.

At Pooginook, we aim to lift WR consistently beyond 135% by 2030, building flocks that can consistently raise more lambs with less input. By selecting for weaning rate over time, we’re identifying sheep that not only get in lamb, but successfully rear their young under commercial conditions.

2. Ewe Rearing Ability (ERA)

ERA measures how well a ewe rears multiple lambs — especially twins — under real-world pressure. It reflects the ewe’s maternal behaviour, milk production, and ability to get lambs through to weaning without additional labour or loss.

At Pooginook, we’re selecting for improved ERA as a long-term lever for lifting lamb survival and reducing the need for hands-on management. Our 2030 target is to increase average rearing ability across the flock while maintaining ewe structure, temperament and working life.

In Summary

Fertility and rearing ability are where genetic progress translates directly into more lambs on the ground — and And more option in the paddock and in the classing race building selection pressure with out the worry of sell more lambs then a self replacing flock can afford. At Pooginook, we’re selecting ewes that perform without needing high input: sheep that get in lamb early, rear twins reliably, and lift weaning numbers season after season. Our focus to 2030 is clear — more lambs, stronger mothers, better returns.

Keep Exploring

Every trait you’ve just read about is part of a bigger picture. If you’re ready to dive deeper, compare your own data, or see how it all connects — keep going.

There’s more to learn, more to apply, and our team’s here to guide you through it.