Australia Sheep Farm Sees Twin Lambs Boom After Rain

After 15 years of waiting through drought and tough seasons, sheep farmer Brenton Kroehn is watching something remarkable happen in his paddocks: healthy twin and triplet lambs are arriving in numbers he hasn't seen since 2011.

Kroehn owns Borung Poll Merino Stud at Waikerie in South Australia's Riverland, about 200 kilometers northeast of Adelaide. This year's lambing season has brought him three or four sets of triplets, with minimal losses compared to harsher years when ewes carrying multiples often couldn't keep both lambs alive.

The timing couldn't be better. The Riverland has already received over 290 millimeters of rain in 2026, surpassing the region's average annual rainfall of 260 millimeters. After several drought years, the landscape has transformed into green paddocks with abundant feed.

"This year it's green and looking wonderful," Kroehn said. He's been able to keep all his sheep together instead of separating those carrying twins for extra feeding because there's enough natural nutrition for everyone.

Local veterinarian John Hammond says the recent wet conditions created ideal circumstances for multiple births and lamb survival. Mothers carrying twins need 50 percent more food than those with singles, and this year nature provided what supplemental feeding usually has to cover.

The Ripple Effect

The lamb boom extends beyond Kroehn's farm. Fellow sheep farmers across the region are sharing stories of extraordinary births, including some rare quadruplet deliveries from merino ewes. While quads are more common in crossbred sheep and goats, seeing them in merinos signals just how exceptional this season has been.

For Kroehn, the change from previous years feels transformative. Managing stock becomes rewarding rather than stressful when paddocks are covered in green and sheep are thriving. "It actually makes farming fun," he said, acknowledging how tough recent years have been.

The multiple births aren't a complete surprise since Kroehn uses ultrasound to scan which ewes are carrying singles versus multiples. But having the natural conditions to support all those extra lambs without intensive intervention represents a genuine win after years of hardship.

After enduring prolonged dry periods, this season offers more than just healthy lambs: it offers hope that conditions can turn around and farming can feel rewarding again.