5 STEPS TO LAMBING SUCCESS WITH DOWNLAND

There’s always a lot happening on the farm, and even more to do at lambing time, but it’s what’s going on inside the ewe that makes the crucial difference at this key period in the sheep calendar. Understanding and implementing targeted nutrition on the approach to lambing is fundamental to success. We’ve put together five top tips, giving you the inside story, to help farmers achieve success and maximise profits.

1. PREPARE YOUR EWES

prepare the ewes

Up to 70% of foetal growth occurs during the last 6 weeks of pregnancy, the ewe is also preparing to produce colostrum and milk to help the lamb thrive after birth. Energy to drive growth is most important during this time, but all constituents of the diet are significant. Sufficient high-quality protein is essential for colostrum and milk while minerals, vitamins and trace elements all play a part in ensuring lambs get off to the best possible start. These huge demands on the ewe’s nutrition come at a time when her appetite reduces. Foetal growth means that the lambs take up more space in the abdomen encroaching on the rumen. Ideally, nutrient density should increase as lambing approaches, as every mouthful counts. Understanding your forage is therefore key to success. Forage analysis allows you to identify what supplementation is required to optimise the diet and maximise intakes of crucial nutrients.

2. FEED WHAT THEY NEED

FEED WHAT THEY NEED

The extensive nutritional demands in late pregnancy will vary significantly depending on how many lambs the ewe is carrying. Getting the balance right will be most cost-effective and help prevent common and serious problems. Scanning can help identify singles and multiples so diets can be targeted.
Overfeeding singles will increase the risk of large lambs which can cause problems at lambing. Alternatively underfeeding those carrying multiples increases the risk of metabolic diseases such as twin lamb disease, a ewe carrying triplets requiring up to 10% more energy than a ewe carrying twins.
Twin Lamb Disease (TLD), also known as Pregnancy Toxaemia, is commonly seen 3-4 weeks prior to lambing when demands on the ewe are considerable and, in particular, inadequate dietary energy forces a ewe to break down fat and muscle for energy.

3. NEWBORN NUTRITION

NEWBORN NUTRITION

The first few hours of a lamb's life are tough. With limited energy reserves and little protection from infection. It’s not surprising that half of lamb losses occur in the first 48 hours after birth. Colostrum is so important for a lamb to survive and get a good start. Colostrum supplies immunoglobulins to deliver “infection-fighting” passive immunity. Newborn lambs have no circulating antibodies or immunoglobulins which are crucial in their defence against bacteria and viruses.
Good quality colostrum is high in immunoglobulins from the ewe that can be absorbed by the lamb in the first hours of life. Nutrition from mid-pregnancy onwards is a key driver of colostrum quality and quantity. Colostrum production is affected by live weight loss in late pregnancy as well as poor body scores. The quality of the protein in the ewe’s diet also makes a difference. Good quality protein provides digestible undegraded protein (DUP) that can bypass the rumen to provide the essential building blocks needed before lambing.

4. ASSESS BODY CONDITION SCORE

ASSESS BCS

Nutrition in late pregnancy is extremely important, so it’s essential to know the status of the ewe and crucially whether she is losing or gaining weight. Body Condition Score (BCS) is a useful management tool for farmers. Optimum BCS will vary depending on the type of sheep and the farming system, but identifying sheep below the ideal BCS early in pregnancy allows time for additional feed or supplementation to prepare them for the demands to come. Achieving the correct BCS at lambing assists in a plentiful supply of high-quality colostrum, reduces losses, improves lamb vigour and bonding and overall has a positive effect on lamb weight at 8 weeks of age.

5. SEE THE RETURNS

SEE THE RETURNS

Nutrition on the approach to lambing through to lactation not only impacts this season but lays the ground for the next. While the ewe still has to produce sufficient milk for her lambs, her body must recover and prepare for tupping later in the year. Monitoring BCS plays an important role to ensure diet matches demands. Excessive loss of BSC, or any loss from ewes already below optimum BCS can impact lamb growth and next seasons performance. Optimising the ewe’s diet throughout pregnancy will also have an impact on the next generation as well. Follicular development in the foetal female lamb is known to be reduced if the ewe is underfed during pregnancy thus impacting fertility and performance for years to come.

DOWNLAND PRODUCTS TO SUPPORT YOUR EWES THIS SEASON

OPTI-LIX HIGH ENERGY

is an extra high energy (16 ME) and protein (12%)feed lick to support energy requirements on the approach to lambing, which also contains a full complement of essential minerals, vitamins and trace elements.
has a high sugar content and is ideal for ewes that may be at risk of twin lamb disease.

OPTI-BLOX SHEEP ENERGY

is a high-energy (12 ME) and protein-pressed feedblock. High levels of protein including natural and urea sources to support milk production.
also contains a full complement of minerals, vitamins and trace elements including Availa selenium and zinc which can support colostrum quality, lambing ease and immune system function.
is ideal for ewes in poorer BCS or those with poorer quality forages.

Understanding ‘the inside story’ on the approach to lambing this
season and in particular the importance of optimised nutrition will
support a successful lambing season and beyond

downland 5 steps to successful lambing