It impossible to predict seasons, and hence it is difficult for a lamb producer in a pasture-based system to predict the number of lambs for sale, the time of sale and the condition the lambs will be in. Many producers are turning to lot feeding their lambs to try to overcome these problems. In many cases this is a speculative exercise because, unlike beef, there are no premiums paid for lambs finished in a feedlot. Until many more lambs are finished in feedlots, thereby ensuring a continuous supply, it is unlikely that premiums will emerge.

The cost of feed and the effort and skills required mean that a great deal of knowledge about the outcome is necessary before it is undertaken. Perhaps the most common reason for lot feeding at present is for finishing lambs to meet forward contracts. The main issues in assessing profitability of lot-feeding are: buying price of lambs (if lambs are grown on the property a realistic "charge" for them needs to be included), selling price of lambs cost of feeding, labour costs of feeding and management, animal health costs, the capital cost of establishing the feedlot infrastructure, wastage, the number of lambs that do not grow in the feedlot - often this is 10 to 20%. All aspects of costs need to be evaluated and weaknesses in the feedlotting exercise identified. The exercise is a specialist activity which takes knowledge and experience. Information is readily available from your State Department of Agriculture and private advisers. Feed requirements A knowledge of the feed requirements of the lambs (mainly shown by age, weight and fat, and if possible a knowledge of the lamb's history) provide information from which lamb growth performance can be predicted. Hence if the time of sale and current weight and fat status of the lamb are known, together with seasonal conditions, the ration can be formulated to provide a growth rate that ensures the lamb meets the market requirements. Generally feed already available on the farm is intended for growing the lambs. It is essential to know three things about the feed: dry matter percentage metabolisable energy crude protein content These will vary between feeds and also for the same feed. For example, oats, wheat and hay can all have a range of protein levels depending on the level of nitrogen each contains. All feeds used must be tested before the program is embarked upon. All states have feed testing services. Money spent at this stage will provide the basis for a planned feeding regime which can be accurately costed. This is the only way to raise lambs profitably in a feedlot. Other considerations Not all lambs will do well in a feedlot. Many operators work on at least10% poor performers and these should be identified early and removed. This means lambs must be weighed regularly, not only to identify poorperformers but to ensure the feed is achieving the results required. This means the number of lambs in the lot will have to be greater than the numbers required to meet the contracted market. In a feedlot all possibility of the lamb fending for itself is removed. The operator is responsible for all feed and health requirements. The healthrequirements are more stringent and difficult to maintain than at pasture and skilled management is necessary. Rearing lambs in a feedlot is not a speculative exercise. It must be undertaken with a knowledge that the costs of the exercise will be covered by the returns. Remember that rearing lambs in a feedlot is an expensive exercise compared with rearing at pasture. The shorter the time in the feedlot the better. This means that only larger and older lambs should be placed in the lot, young lambs will generally not be reared profitably. The rearing of lambs in a feediot is expensive and requires considerable management skills. It does, however, provide an opportunity to finish lambs in a predictable fashion which enables the conditions of meeting specific contracts at specific times. Ultimately the lambs are likely to be in a more even line because of the additional management inputs provided to each lamb. Only rear lambs in a feedlot if meeting a contract with known price. Examine the likely costs and returns to assess likely profits and the risk of losses. Be sure a contract is signed for the lambs and the final price is known. Test all feed to be used for nutritional value. Calculate growth rate needed and ensure ration can sustain the rate. Weigh all lambs regularly and remove lambs not growing quickly enough. Only use larger lambs for finishing, young small lambs require a long period of feeding with high costs. Ensure the breeding of the lambs meets the customers' requirements.

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