Tim Lemming started using Lambplan in selecting maternal and terminal genetics seventeen years ago after observing the difference in his prime lambs when he could breed for high growth rates and fertility.

The Coopworth breeder from Coleraine in western Victoria, who now weans his 3300 prime lambs at 12 weeks and hits the trade weight market at 16 weeks, will be among the first breeders to sign up for the new Lambplan maternal Index, a package of genetic traits released by Meat and Livestock Australia this week.

The new maternal index comprises a package of Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) that place strong emphasis on weaning weight, post weaning weight, number of lambs weaned, maternal weighing weight and mature ewe weight.

It is the first maternal index to remove the negative emphasis on fat that is in the current index.

Mr Lemming said a tool that would help him cut down adult ewe weight was “fantastic news”

“The emphasis on choosing genetics with good growth rates has meant ewes have become over sized and expensive and often difficult to manage,” he said.

“We need to keep control of adult ewe weight - under 70 kilograms would be ideal."

Meat and Livestock’s sheep and research and development manager Dr Alex Ball said that the maternal weaning weight ASBV was an indicator of milk production and was increasingly important as lamb producers strived to turn-off lambs at 14-18 weeks.

“Using the index will allow producers to select breeding ewes that have high milk production, a high number of lambs weaned, good worm resistance and that can cope with a drier environment,” Dr Ball said.

He said the index was best suited to maternal breeders and commercial lamb producers joining rams to merino ewes to retain first-cross ewes for future lamb production.