Using Lupins and the Ram Effect to Improve Reproductive Performance in Merinos in Southern Australia

•Ovulation rate and lamb survival are key to improving reproductive performance.•Short-term lupin feeding with synchronised estrus (ram effect) improves ovulation.•Variation in lupin response dependent on nutrition months prior to ovulation.•Lupin feeding with synchronised lambing (ram-effect) improves lamb survival.•Can a combined mating and lambing strategy give additive increases in weaning rate?