Pregnancy scanning has become a valuable management tool of ewe flocks.

Benefits of scanning are:

• Ability to separate dry ewes
• Determination of foetal numbers
• Simpler and more efficient management of stock. Allowing the nutritional requirements of pregnant ewes to be met, increasing lambing percentage and dry ewes to be stocked at higher rates, sold or rejoined in the spring
• Marketing tool when selling ewes.

When is the best time to scan?

Scanning for pregnancy status only (Wet/Dry ewes) – can be scanned from 35 - 40 days after the removal of rams, up until lambing (based on 42 day joining).

Scanning for single/twin status (Multiples)  – the optimal time is between 80 to 100 days from commencement of joining, identification is not possible following 100 days as it becomes more difficult to determine foetal numbers accurately.

Accuracy

The following factors have been known to affect the accuracy of pregnancy scanning. To ensure that you get the maximum benefit from scanning your sheep you need to be aware of these.

• Ewes not kept off feed night prior to testing (full rumen)
• Extended joining period
• Inadequate staff
• Fat animals

In order to ensure that these factors are minimised it is important to know the date of ram entry and removal and to take sheep off feed. To minimise your travel costs and to ensure that scanning can be done at the optimum time it is important to book as early as possible.

What do I need?

We will supply all equipment needed, including a pregnancy scanning crate. All the grower needs is a standard race setup and 2 people to assist with the operation.
Depending on individual setups it is possible to achieve a throughput of up to 400 ewes an hour. (Less when scanning for multiples)

What is the cost?

Pregnancy Scanning Sheep (minimum charge of $200)
2000 and under - 60c per ewe
2001 & over - 50c per ewe
Multiples - 85c per ewe
Multiples Over 2000 - 75c per ewe.
EID & foetal ageing – 10c extra per ewe

Travel - $1.20 per km one way. When shifts are required on property a $50 moving fee will be charged. We aim to coordinate our work to minimise travel costs for clients, early bookings are appreciated.