Young, J.M.Brown, D.J.Brien, F.D.Greer, A.2025-06-242025-06-242025Animal Production Science, 2025; 65(10):AN24278-1-AN24278-150816-10890816-1089https://hdl.handle.net/2440/145390Context. Pregnancy scanning allows ewes to be separately managed by litter size class to: (1) meet recommended condition score targets to enhance survival and progeny productivity, (2) prioritise allocation of multiple-bearing ewes to smaller mobs or more sheltered lambing paddocks, and (3) select replacement ewes based on birth type. However, 70% of Australian sheep producers are not scanning for litter size. Aims. To establish the profitability of pregnancy scanning in southern Australia, to build a stronger business case to address the key perception by non-adopters that the case is weak. Methods. The profitability of pregnancy scanning was modelled, across three regions (long, medium and short growing seasons in southern Australia), three different genotypes (Merino, Merino × terminal and a maternal flock) and three lambing times (autumn, winter and spring) using the Australian Farm Optimisation Model. A simpler gross margin analysis was used to include the summer rainfall regions. Key results. Implementing optimal ewe nutritional management, paddock allocation and replacement strategies based on litter size was profitable in all the scenarios of region, genotype, time of lambing and price tested. The increase in profitability in the winter rainfall zone averaged across the scenarios tested was A$5.75/ewe scanned. In the summer rainfall zone, the average increase in profit was A$4.44/ewe scanned. Profitability was sensitive to sheep meat prices, but not sensitive to wool and supplement prices, nor overall reproductive rate. Conclusions. There is a strong business case for pregnancy scanning ewesfor littersize via: (1)selling of non-pregnant ewes(A$1.75/ewe), (2) better allocation of feed based on litter size (A$2.00/ewe), (3) allocating multiple-bearing ewes to the best lambing paddocks and/or reducing mob size to enhance lamb survival (A$1.00/ewe), and (4) accounting for birth type when selecting breeding replacements (A$1.00/ewe). Implications. Pregnancy scanning for litter size is a relatively low-cost, high-profit and vital tool for improving reproductive rate, lamb and ewe survival rates, and lamb growth rates. Our findings extend previous, more limited studies, in terms of their reach across different regions, genotypes and production systems.en© 2025 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND).AFO; Australian Farm Optimisation model; breeds; fecundity; genotypes; lambing dates; litter size; pregnancy scanning; profit; sheepJournal article10.1071/an24278001267249400011742943Brien, F.D. [0000-0002-4758-4862]