Adaptation of lambing schedules to new climatic conditions in Queensland

Farmers in Western Queensland, particularly wool producers, are facing changing weather patterns: summers have become hotter and longer, and nighttime temperatures have risen. An analysis conducted using the Climate and Weather Trend Analysis tool, developed under the leadership of Bruce McConnel, Director of the UniSQ-led Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales Innovation Hub, has confirmed these trends. Data shows a significant increase in temperatures in September, October, March, and April, as well as an increase in nighttime temperatures, which prevents livestock animals from recovering from heat stress.

Peter and Kimble Thomas, who manage an enterprise with 12,000 Merinos near Longreach, have applied these observations in practice. Previously, May lambing resulted in low lamb survival rates due to summer heat. The farm shifted breeding dates so that lambing occurs in August, allowing the main part of the gestation period to pass during cooler months. Despite the trade-off of less nutritious pastures compared to the May period, the farmers are continuing the experiment to increase the resilience and productivity of the system.

Specialists from the organization Desert Channels Queensland, working in conjunction with the Drought Hub, emphasize the importance of such changes for the business. Geoff Penton notes that prolonged heat stress directly affects weight gain, fertility, offspring survival, and animal hydration. In the long term, this determines the weaning rate of lambs and the overall profitability of production. As climatic trends indicate that hot periods will continue, producers are forced to adapt their work schedules to maintain productivity amidst inflation and environmental changes.