Keep a close eye on ewe diets for lambing success
Sheep producers are being urged to assess ewe diets now to ensure a successful lambing next spring.
Difficult weather has led to variable ewe condition and low quality/low intake forages, meaning many farmers may need to modify sheep diets and keep a closer watch on ewe condition score.
SAC Consulting animal nutritionist Colin Morgan stresses that silage analysis is crucial to ensure stock are supplemented appropriately.
“Silage composition has suffered badly in some areas as a result of the weather conditions so is essential that silages are analysed,” he says.
In meeting the nutrient needs of the ewe, energy and protein requirements will be determined by her weight, condition score and numbers of lambs carried.
Dr Morgan explains: “With poor quality forages, ewes may need more supplementary feed, but it is important to manage this to avoid overfeeding starchy cereals or sudden dietary changes that can cause metabolic upsets.
“Silage composition has suffered badly in some areas as a result of the weather conditions so is essential that silages are analysed.”
Colin Morgan, SAC Consulting
“Manage the use of body reserves to ensure ewes lamb in condition score 2.5-3 when lambing in March or condition score 2 – 2.5 for ewes lambing at grass.”
The stressful weather combined with an increase in sheep diseases caused by parasites has meant a difficult year for ewes, so their condition scores may be lower than usual. For thin ewes, feeding should start earlier at nine weeks pre-lambing. Supplementary feeding levels by lambing will need to be higher at about 0.75kg compound/cereal a day split into two feeds.
“Do not leave it too late. Score your ewes now and make planned changes to rations,” says Dr Morgan.
It is also advisable to supplement thin, twin-bearing ewes in mid- to late-pregnancy and immediately after scanning separate thin ewes for extra feeding.
“Supplement with cereal at 0.5kg a day if the ewes are on low quality silage,” he says.
“Try to at least maintain or improve condition score by up to half a score between scanning and the last three weeks of pregnancy.
“Low bushel weight cereals are excellent for this purpose and can be a best buy. Feed thin grains whole as less tends to come through in the dung than with plump grains.”
Read how scanning is a must this season as pregnancy losses rise