Sheep Pregnancy Scanning in the Riverina
We're a hands-on rural contracting team with a genuine background in sheep work. From livestock services to equipment supply, we bring real on-farm experience to everything we do.
Since 2002
Family Rural Background
100,000+
Sheep Handled (last 12 months)
Australia-Wide
Equipment Sales
Real On-Farm Experience
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Riverina Based Contractors
Australia-wide Equipment Sales
Scanning That Sets Your Season Up Right
Pregnancy scanning is one of the most valuable investments you can make heading into lambing season. At Dusty Rural Contracting, we provide accurate ultrasound sheep pregnancy scanning for producers across the Riverina and surrounding areas, giving you the information you need to manage your flock with confidence before lambing kicks off.
Knowing which ewes are carrying singles, multiples or are dry allows you to make smarter decisions around feed allocation, paddock management and supplementary feeding, which can make a significant difference to lamb survival rates and overall productivity. Our team carries out scanning efficiently and with care, keeping stress on the mob to a minimum while delivering accurate results you can actually plan around.
If you want to go into lambing season with a clear picture of what your flock is doing, call Dusty Rural Contracting today on 0438 789 964.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to scan ewes for pregnancy?
Timing sheep pregnancy scanning correctly makes a big difference to the accuracy of results and how useful the information is for planning. Most producers aim to scan between six and ten weeks after the ram has been removed, as this window gives reliable results while still leaving enough time to act on the information before lambing. Scanning too early can lead to inaccurate results, while scanning very late in pregnancy reduces the time available to adjust management based on what you find.
Do ewes need any special preparation before scanning?
Ewes should ideally be fasted from pasture for around 12 to 18 hours before sheep pregnancy scanning to reduce rumen fill, which can interfere with the ultrasound image and make it harder to get clear results. Water should still be available. Having the mob settled and calm before scanning begins also helps the process run more smoothly and reduces stress on the animals. Drafting ewes into manageable groups ahead of the day can save significant time once the scanning team arrives.
How does sheep pregnancy scanning data improve lamb survival rates?
Scanning data allows producers to separate and preferentially feed multiple bearing ewes in the critical weeks before lambing, which directly improves the body condition and colostrum quality of ewes carrying more than one lamb. Better conditioned ewes produce stronger lambs with a greater chance of survival in the first critical hours after birth. Knowing your lamb numbers in advance also allows better planning of lambing paddocks, shelter and supervision resources, all of which contribute to getting more lambs on the ground successfully.
What is sheep pregnancy scanning?
Ultrasound scanning checks whether ewes are pregnant and, in many cases, how many lambs they're carrying — singles, twins or triplets. It lets farmers manage and feed ewes to their needs.
How is scanning percentage worked out?
It's the number of lambs counted divided by the number of ewes scanned, shown as a percentage — e.g. 100 ewes carrying 150 lambs scans at 150%. It shows the expected lambing rate before lambs are on the
ground.
What are the benefits of scanning?
Farmers can feed singles, twins and empties differently, manage empty ewes, and plan feed and labour for lambing — improving lamb survival and cutting wasted feed.
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Know Your Numbers Before Lambing Starts
Getting accurate sheep pregnancy scanning data early in the season gives you a serious advantage when it comes to managing your resources and planning ahead. Here's how accurate pregnancy scanning supports your operation:
- Identify dry ewes early so feed isn't wasted on animals that won't be lambing
- Separate singles and multiples for targeted nutrition and paddock management
- Plan your lambing paddocks and resources around realistic lamb numbers
- Make more informed culling and selling decisions ahead of the season
- Combine scanning with EID recording for individual animal data you can use all year
Good scanning data takes the guesswork out of lambing preparation and gives you a much stronger foundation for managing your flock through one of the most demanding periods of the year.
