Getting the most from ewe lambs

Breeding from ewe lambs could more than double gross margins. But careful management and a system where they can be managed separately to the main flock is vital, according to EBLEX beef and sheep scientist Liz Genever.

It’s not hard to realise breeding from a ewe lamb will yield more kilos of lamb over its lifetime compared to a ewe bred as a shearling, so recognising the importance of management in a number of key areas is critical, says Dr Genever, commenting on a recent review and case study report by ADAS and EBLEX.

“Despite higher vet, medical and feeding costs, the report found North Country Mules bought at six months delivered gross margins of more than £61 a head at 18 months when bred as yearlings compared to less than £21 a head when lambed at two years,” she says.

But even those farmers who are breeding from ewe lambs could do better, adds Dr Genever.

“A large proportion of pro-ducers already breeding from ewe lambs could make valuable improvements in their performance through improved husbandry and nutrition.”

And someone who has adopted strategic management practices when rearing ewe lambs is Worcester sheep farmer Will Halford.

Adding value

He has been putting about 550 ewe lambs to the tup every year since 2003 to add value to stock leaving the farm. “About half of ewe lambs and their four to five-week-old offspring are sold as an outfit later in the spring. But we keep about 100 of the strongest back for breeding,” he says.

And averaging about £180 for an outfit means the extra money and labour invested in rearing ewe lambs is paying off, he adds. “Breeding from ewe lambs requires more management, but financially it stacks up.”

And getting the best from ewe lambs starts with selecting the correct tup to breed them to.

Mr Halford selected Charollais as his breed of choice because of its relatively small head and shoulders, which minimises difficult births.

The lambs are tupped when they are about seven months old and are mated separately from the mature flock. “We put in teaser rams before mating to get them cycling and the ram is then put in for only two to three weeks, so we end up with a more condensed lambing period.”

Ewe lambs are also not flushed before mating to avoid multiple births, he adds.

Dr Genever says it is vital to ensure ewe lambs are fed enough for their growth in the run-up to mating and when rearing a lamb. “Targets for bodyweight are important to ensure they are also big enough to be tupped at 60% of their mature body weight,” she adds.

But because of the age of the ewe lambs at mating, scanning is an essential part of the management, says Mr Halford. “Scanning is vital as we probably get about 25% barren. It is also important to identify twin carriers as early as possible so we can manage them effectively.”

Liveweight gains

However, when it comes to feeding it is important to ensure liveweight gains of about 250g/day from weaning to six weeks after mating for sufficient fertility and mammary development, while minimising multiple births, suggests Dr Genever.

Mr Halford feeds ewe lambs good-quality hay and cobs before lambing to maintain body and lamb growth and to have them at a condition score of three, six weeks before lambing. “Good-quality feed is vital for colostrum.”

At lambing, ewes are kept in a separate group and when twins are born the second lamb is removed and placed on to a foster ewe. “This eases the pressure on the ewe lambs and offspring perform better when only one lamb is left on.”

Ewes are also kept separate post-lambing and get the pick of grass, he adds.

“Ewe lambs graze pastures in front of mature ewes. We also supplement them to keep them milking well. Having adequate good-quality grazing is vital as they need the nutrition. When you get it wrong, you can soon ruin a ewe lamb,” he says.