Raising sheep by the numbers [Video]

The pathway to profit in sheep is paved with little details.

“The secret of success is doing the common thing uncommonly well,” said Mark Ferguson, founder and CEO of neXgen Agri of New Zealand. “Our goal has to be kilograms of lamb out the door.”

Why it matters: Better information can help sheep producers manage their flocks to reduce costs and drive profits.

Measurement and data analysis are critical tools for deciphering the per-pound production costs and for increasing efficiency and profit through incremental changes, Ferguson told Ontario Sheep Farmers’ Oct. 26 convention attendees.

Australia’s production model, although pasture-based, emphasizes the success of Ferguson’s five pillars of profitable sheep production: technology, nutrition, genetics, people, and health.

He believes measurement protocols could be modified for Ontario management to improve lamb success.

For example, Ferguson said combining weighing and body scoring provides a …