At the Drought Workshop held at Struan in early December, producers were reminded about the importance of monitoring the condition of their ewes.  Changes in Condition Score (CS) provide an objective method to determine the adequacy of existing feeding levels.  Feeding decisions based on CS will ensure more efficient use of feed.  It is much cheaper to feed early to prevent weight loss than to build up again.  Special attention needs to be given to the nutrition of pregnant ewes if mortalities are to be prevented.  Under drought survival conditions don’t let ewes fall below CS 2 as an absolute minimum.

Condition scoring sheep is an easy and accurate method of estimating the condition or 'nutritional well-being' of your sheep flock.  It requires you to assess the amount of tissue and fat covering the backbone and the short ribs of each sheep.  This is done by feeling the fat & muscle over the loin area of the sheep BEHIND the rib cage and in front of the hips.  Condition Scoring IS NOT THE SAME as Fat Scoring. Fat scoring is used to judge the fat depth at the GR site and is used when marketing animals. It is assessed at the GR site – over the 12^th rib about 10cm from the spine.

It is important to understand the difference between the two methods.  A recent trial showed that fat scoring is not as sensitive in estimating changes in tissue depth in the Score 2 to 3 range.  This means that farmers using the fat scoring method may overestimate their ewes condition in this critical range.  This may lead to significant production consequences.

A laminated brochure clearly showing the differences between the two methods is available from SARDI Struan Ph 08 87 629 191. Condition Score Targets for optimising productivity have recently been developed through the Lifetime Wool Project and further information can be viewed at www.lifetimewool.com.au