An attempt was made to quantify some of the variables which affect mating strategies on the Northern Tablelands in the high rainfall zone of New South Wales. A single year linear programming model was developed which permitted the determination of the optimum date of lambing of a Merino X Border Leicester ewe flock (composed of four tooth, six tooth, and full mouth ewes and mated to Dorset Horn rams) for a range of prices and seasonal conditions. It was found first, that generally a staggered lambing is most profitable; secondly, that it pays to lamb early for the Christmas-New Year market if premiums are adequate; and thirdly, that it pays to buy considerable quantities of oaten grain for winter feeding.
