Relationships Between Sheep Production, Stocking Rate and Rainfall on Commercial Sheep Properties in Western New South Wales.

Abstract

Historical sheep production and rainfall data from 14 properties in semi-arid western New South Wales were analysed for relationships between wool production, lamb marking percentage, stocking rate and rainfall. Twelve of the properties were located on predominantly chenopod shrubland (Atriplex spp. and Maireana spp.) and two on mulga (Acacia aneura) land types. The relationship between wool production per head (WOOLHD, kg greasylsheep) and rainfall (RF, mmlyear) was similar on 10 of the 11 properties with wool production and rainfall data. This was so despite differences in vegetation type and average stocking rate. The generality of this relationship suggests that wool production per head is largely determined by a common, rainfall related factor operating over a wide range of management regimes. Stocking rates did not have a significant effect on wool production per head on the majority of properties. Data from the above properties were combined to generate the following generalised equation: -29.43 - WOOLHD = 7.5 lexp RF R~ =35.72 (P<0.01) Wool production per hectare was largely determined by stocking rate on most properties. No consistent relationship between lamb marking percentage and when rain fell could be found. However, rainfall in the period between joining and lamb marking was significant on six properties. It is concluded that total wool production is largely determined by stock numbers. The data suggests animal productivity is more dependent on management responses to dry periods and the rate of change in forage availability in the absence of rain.