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Recent research conducted at The University of Western Australia (UWA) School of Animal Biology and Institute of Agriculture (IOA) has shown that when it comes to getting sheep in the mood and those reproductive juices flowing, nothing beats a little novelty.

PhD student Trina Jorre de St Jorre has been examining the ‘ram effect’ on ewes where the sudden introduction of rams has merino ewes ovulating within two to three days.

The ‘ram effect’, also known as ‘teasing’, is a cheap and efficient way to synchronise mating and lambing in a flock, offering farmers a non-hormonal way to control reproduction.

It’s been known about since the 1940s, with UWA conducting  pioneering research into it.

One of the practical problems with the ‘ram effect’ is ewes must be isolated from the rams for it to work.

“My research clearly shows, however, that separating ewes from rams really isn’t necessary if the rams used to tease the ewes are novel,” Ms Jorre de St Jorre said.

“The research also examined the minimum time of separation necessary for a familiar ram to become novel again.

“I hope this research eventually eliminates the use of hormones for timing reproduction,” she said.

Professor Graeme Martin, UWA Chair in Animal Science and Leader of Animal Production Systems Program at IOA, said Ms Jorre de St Jorre’s work was vitally important to the future of sheep farmers in Australia.

“Consumers are increasingly demanding clean, green, ethical sources of meat that are hormone free,” Professor Martin said.

“This excellent combination of fundamental and applied research will provide farmers with natural techniques to control reproduction and manage the timing of reproduction in their flocks.

“It’s an added bonus that this natural approach is also very cost effective for farmers, as it relies on behavioural intervention to control reproduction, rather than expensive methods based on hormones,” Professor Martin said.

“It will help give Australian farmers a competitive advantage over their European counterparts.”

Professor Martin said the work was an excellent example of research conducted at the UWA Institute of Agriculture that would keep WA’s agricultural industry internationally competitive.

Media references

Authorised by ‘Institute of Agriculture – UWA’ and issued on its behalf by
Brendon Cant & Associates, Tel 08 9384 1122

Ms Trina Jorre de St Jorre (UWA PhD student)                     (+61) 04 3892 7967
Professor Graeme Martin (UWA Chair in Animal Science)      (+61) 8 6488 2237