Wool growers condition scoring sheep using the LTEM smartphone app.

A NEW online Lifetime Ewe Management hub and website, and the launch of the new android app highlight the latest opportunities for sheep producers accessing the popular course.

LTEM is a best practice management course for wool producers that assists in the proactive nutritional management of ewes throughout the reproduction cycle to maximise productivity.

It has been done by more than 3500 wool growers. On average, it has helped lift their flock lamb weaning rates by 7-8 percent and dropped ewe mortality by up to 15pc.

The new version of the free iPhone LTEM app was launched last year and the android version is now available free from the Google Play Store. The LTEM smartphone app uses cloud technology to store and aggregate paddock, mob and supplement data for multiple users for the same account. Once an account is created, all data can be managed at a personalised central hub at www.ltem.com.au

LTEM is managed by Rural Industries Skill Training and funded by Australian Wool Innovation. AWI has committed to subsidising 1500 LTEM graduates by June 2019, with more than 900 producers utilising this opportunity so far. LTEM groups are springing up across the country.

More Peter and Lisa McCrabb run a 8000 head self-replacing Merino ewe operation located in the 300mm annual rainfall region of Booroorban, south west of Hay in NSW. They undertook LTEM with trainer Geoff Duddy in 2016 and believe it is responsible for the single biggest gain in reproductive performance in their enterprise, with increased conception rates and weaning percentages being realised. Peter says “pre-LTEM, we were typically weaning about 100% lambs / ewes joined but in following LTEM principles we have since achieved rates of 114% and 127% lambs weaned / ewes joined. This has made a big difference in our enterprise.”

A LTEM group normally consists of five to seven producers that meet six times per year with a trained facilitator. During these hands-on sessions, the group visits each participating farm and learns the skills of condition scoring, pasture assessment and best practice ewe and lamb management.

To find a trainer and a group near you, head to the new LTEM page.

The LTEM Team at RIST can be contacted on (03) 5573 0943 or at [email protected].

Source: AWI.