Feeding ewes in late pregnancy

Part 2: Choosing a compound feed

Following last month’s article on optimising forage, this month we focus on selecting a compound feed to complement your forage analysis, writes Nerys Wright.

Seasonal variations in forage quality mean the same compound feed and quantities may not be suitable in every situation every year.

In years with good winter forage, we can reduce purchased feed. Conversely, when forage quality is poor, supplementary feeding ensures ewes meet their energy and protein needs.

Shop around

Compound feeds vary significantly between and within companies. Generally, you get what you pay for. If one option is £10/tonne cheaper, it probably contains ingredient substitutes. It’s advisable to shop around for quotes and options.

With that in mind, key elements to consider are energy and protein – in that order.

Feed companies are not legally required to disclose the energy content of their feed, which is measured in ME/kg dry matter (DM). But you should still ask your supplier – and a good one will have no problem telling you.

Compound feed energy content should be higher than the energy of your forage – otherwise there is little point feeding it. Protein content – as a percentage – should complement your forage and do find out the ingredients.

Avoid overfeeding

You should also ensure the feed contains rumen degradable protein (RDP) and digestible undegraded (DUP), with DUP being essential in the last 3-4 weeks pre-lambing for twin and triplet-bearing ewes.

Be cautious not to overfeed ewes in the last six weeks pre-lambing. This can lead to larger lambs at birth and potential lambing complications. Increasing feed allowance for ewes in the run-up to lambing will support udder development and lamb growth.

But I would advise against feeding more than 1kg of feed per day. I also recommend splitting feeds into portions of no more than 0.5 kg each time. This helps maintain rumen pH stability and optimises forage digestion.

Nerys Wright is an independent sheep consultant. For more details, call 07891 187643 or visit sheepconsultancy.co.uk.

Premium blends for beef and sheep farmers

A new range of premium blends has been launched for farmers who feed cattle and sheep out of troughs and hoppers rather than via mixer wagons.

Made from predominantly nutty or whole ingredients, the ForFarmers blend includes whole oats and maize for the sheep blends, rolled barley, sugar beet, micronised flakes, North American soya and wheat feed pellets.

As a category, premium blends sit between compound feeds and traditional mealy blends, explains ForFarmers commercial manager Alister Davies. They allow farmers without a mixer wagon to benefit from quality blends.

A new purpose-built facility, next door to the compound mill at Newcastle under Lyme in Staffordshire, increases ForFarmers ability to meet the needs of its expanding beef and sheep customer base.

Delivery will be available across middle England and north to mid Wales with 800kg totes available nationally. Local customers and merchants can also collect from Newcastle under Lyme, says ForFarmers.