Fodder advice for sheep farmers

With poor weather conditions persisting, grass growth for March and the beginning of April has been below the long term trend, resulting in difficulties for sheep farmers.

During early lactation (4-6 weeks post lambing) lamb growth is heavily reliant on milk supplied by the ewe if insufficient grass (below 4-5cm) is available milk yields will be adversely affected and action will be required to avoid loss of performance.

Ewe and lamb requirements

Milk yield will peak at around three weeks for a ewe rearing twins and five weeks for a ewe rearing a single lamb. It is essential to provide the ewe with the appropriate nutrition to enable her to maximise milk production especially until peak yield has passed or lamb growth and performance will suffer. After this point additional feed/creep should be fed directly to the lambs rather than indirectly via the ewe.

Options:

There are a number of actions farmers can take to avoid reductions in performance:

• Offer additional feed
• Maximise grass growth
• Maximise utilisation of  grass available
• Maintain good health status

Supplementary feeding

Supplementary feeding may be necessary where grass sward heights are below 4cm. Supplementation rates required will depend on the condition of the ewe, number of lambs being reared and the level of grass available. Approximate levels of concentrate feed which may be offered to ewes during early lactation are shown in Table 1. If the ewe is in good condition she may be able to mobilise some body reserves therefore target feed at ewes in poorer body condition.

Table 1. Suggested supplementary feed levels required for ewes rearing twins and singles when there is insufficient grass available.

Creep grazing/feeding lambs

After 4-6 weeks of lactation, it is more cost effective to offer supplementary feed directly to lambs as their dependence on milk has reduced. If providing creep to lambs ensure clean feed is available and replenished often to prevent overcrowding. Feeders must allow easy access to lambs and not ewes. Position feeders on dry, sheltered areas to prevent poaching and disease incidence such as coccidiosis. 

If offering creep to older lambs introduce gradually to prevent over feeding.  Choose a creep with an energy content of 12-13 MJ ME/kg, 18% crude protein and contains a good source of undegradable protein and ammonium chloride to prevent urinary calculi (kidney stones) in male lambs. An adequate supply of clean water should always be available.

Creep grazing lambs ahead of ewes has many advantages when grass supply is limited. Lambs will get priority access to high quality grass ahead of the ewes which will improve lamb performance. Ewes can be maintained on swards with lower covers. If ewes lose body condition it can be recovered at a later stage when grass is more plentiful. This can be implemented through the use of a lamb creep gate allowing only lambs access to the next field or paddock.

Early lambs can be weaned from 10 weeks of age and intensively finished.

Grass growth

The main driver of grass growth will be weather conditions and nutrient supply. Apply fertiliser as soon as possible and ground conditions permit as nutrients will be available to the sward when temperatures rise and grass growth accelerates. It is essential to avoid severe poaching damage which may reduce grass growth later in the season. 

To avoid damage, graze ewes in smaller groups if offering supplementary feed. Where possible position trough and feeders on a hard standing or dry area and move regularly to avoid excessive damage.

A rapid increase in grass growth is expected and it is important to be prepared for this as some swards will get out of control. This can affect sward quality and animal performance for the rest of the season.

Maintain health status

Poor grass availability can have knock-on effects on both the ewes and lambs. If the ewe is not getting adequate nutrition during early lactation, lambs are more likely to suckle more often and this may cause trauma and lead to mastitis.

Poor nutrition will negatively affect lamb performance causing a check in growth but it will also compromise its immune system leaving it more vulnerable to parasites and clostridial diseases. Coccidiosis may become an issue and the risk will increase where creep is being offered, especially if the surrounding area is wet. Consult your vet to ensure treatment is targeted at the right time.

Nematodirus is another worm which can cause a severe impact on lamb performance. In increase in this worm is expected when a warm spell of weather follows a long cold spell as there is a mass hatch of overwintered larvae.

Summary

If insufficient grass is available offer supplementary feeding initially to the ewe during early lactation to ensure adequate milk production. Then directly to the lambs post peak lactation.

Manage available grass to maximise intake and minimise damage. Graze small paddocks and move stock frequently to reduce trampling and poaching. If offering supplementary feeding, position troughs/feeders on as dry an area as available and move often.

Apply fertiliser as soon as ground conditions allow.

Check ewes carefully for signs of mastitis and treat promptly.

Be vigilant and monitor lambs for signs of coccidiosis, discuss with your vet and treat accordingly. Also be aware that lambs may be more susceptible to clostridial diseases. 

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