Forage analysis ‘vital’ for ewe nutrition this spring

Sheep farmers are being encouraged to conduct a forage analysis well ahead of lambing to ensure ewes receive the correct feed rationing and nutrition following last year’s  challenging silage season.

“Forage quality varies massively from year-to-year, and 2024’s wet spring and variable summer posed particular challenges for farmers trying to produce high quality forage,” says Andrew Redpath, regional sales manager for Carr’s Billington.

“This has impacted the feed value of silage and haylage stocks – including dry matter, protein, energy and digestibility levels – which then affects ewe feeding recommendations on each farm.”

Pivotal time

The final six weeks of pregnancy are a pivotal time for finetuning ewe nutrition – based on forage analysis results and body condition scores (BCS). This is when lamb foetal growth increases by 70% and ewes begin producing colostrum.

“Sticking to the same ration year-on-year, regardless of your forage composition, means you’re very likely to be overfeeding, or underfeeding, your ewes pre-lambing – even if you are factoring in condition scores,” adds Mr Redpath.

He says both these situations will lead to problems at lambing time – from oversized lambs, difficult lambings, and ewe prolapses, to undersized lambs that are malnourished and weak.

Getting ewe pre-lambing nutrition right can also help to avoid issues such as toxaemia, hypocalcaemia and hypomagnesaemia, which all come with a cost to the farmer. It can also help minimise waste.

“If you’re over-feeding each ewe by just 200g per day, this can add up to 12 tonnes surplus for a 1000-ewe flock – and considerable wasted cost for a farm business,” explains Mr Redpath.

Ewe nutrition directly impacts the performance of lambs, and a high demand for energy and protein continues into lactation, when an ewe can consume up to 3% of her body weight in total dry matter.

Carr’s Billington operates a Ewe Check service to help producers balance the ration correctly throughout this challenging time. This helps maximise ewe milk quality and quantity, getting lambs off to the best possible start.

“A qualified sheep nutritionist will help farmers select the most appropriate compound to supplement their forage, which varies year-to-year, to maximise both ewe and lamb performance.”

New colostrum has added yeast extract

A concentrated colostrum formula now contains fermented yeast culture to help weak and small newborn lambs.

Manufactured by livestock health specialist Nettex, Ultra Concentrate Lamb Colostrum is a high quality, easy-mix, first day colostrum containing Celmanax to support lamb resilience when lambing indoors.

Nettex technical associate Sarah Gallimore says it has been designed to mimic the ewe’s own colostrum – including prebiotic activity to encourage dry matter intake and feed efficiency to promote growth.

Lamb challenges

“The importance of maternal colostrum in controlling neonatal lamb challenges cannot be overstated. It’s well recognised that all lambs need a suitable quantity of high-quality colostrum, with supplements where necessary, as soon as possible after birth.

“Including a yeast culture has enhanced this new colostrum supplement to support the establishment of healthy gut flora which helps to make lambs more resilient to future challenges.”

The yeast culture includes biologically active carbohydrates. These bind pathogenic bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella and prevent certain protozoa like Cryptosporidium from attaching to the intestinal wall and causing disease.

Oral antibiotics have long been a go-to as a preventative measure for watery mouth, says Ms Gallimore. But focusing on correct colostrum management may reduce the need for antibiotic use.

Watery mouth can have a severe impact on a flock at lambing. Mortality can be significant – as can the cost and time treating affected animals. Witnessing newborn lambs succumb soon after birth can also take its toll on the lambing team,

All Nettex colostrums are made from natural, full fat colostrum, sourced from high-health status UK farms. The addition of Celmanax helps to further support the benefits of adequate colostrum feeding for lamb health.

To further support lamb growth through improved gut development, Ms Gallimore advises the use of Lamb Shield which contains essential minerals and vitamins alongside energy and added egg protein.