In-paddock walk-over weighing: understanding the factors affecting its potential for the Australian Sheep industry

Abstract

The association between liveweight and a range of production and economic outcomes has been demonstrated in sheep production systems. Change in ewe liveweight affects her wool production, reproductive performance, survival and lifelong performance of her progeny. Similarly, liveweight in young sheep post-weaning is strongly associated with their survival. This breadth of sheep production parameters with demonstrated association with liveweight suggests that regular liveweight monitoring would provide a robust and versatile tool for managing sheep flocks. Walk-over weighing (WOW) technology has the potential to remotely monitor sheep liveweight either individually or collectively and is commercially available. It functions by collecting liveweight data as sheep voluntarily cross a weighing platform as part of their normal daily routine. The liveweight data is then collected, processed and interpreted by livestock managers to aid nutritional management. Despite the documented benefits of managing ewe liveweight, and the potential of WOW to aid ewe liveweight management, there is a paucity of literature on the subject. This thesis draws on a series of experiments, data analyses and economic models to investigate the factors affecting WOWs potential for commercial application.