On the 11th December we are having a Christmas quiz! Details in the invite below. We would love to see as many of you as possible! The Quiz is light hearted fun for all. If you are one or a two in number then please come along and we can pair you up.
As the lambing season is fast on the approach it is time to make sure that ewes are getting appropriate feeding to support development of lambs. Most foetal growth is in the last 6 weeks of gestation so energy demands increase at this point. Ewes that are low on energy and protein intake are more at risk from small weak lambs and poor colostrum and milk production. Similarly, if ewes are fed too much then foetus growth can be excessive and cause complications at lambing. Both scenarios increase the risk of twin lamb disease. It is very important to feed the ewe for maintenance energy requirement of the ewe as well as the requirement for the growth for the number of lambs that she is having. A rough guide from AHDB below may be helpful in helping estimate dietary needs for your flock:
| From two months of gestation to six weeks before lambing | Last six weeks of pregnancy | |
| Moderate quality silage or hay to appetite Concentrates (16% crude protein) Singles: 0.2 kg/ head/ day Twins: 0.3 kg/ head / day | Winter grass and moderate quality silage or hay (all to appetite) Concentrates (16% crude protein) Singles: 0.2 kg/ head/ day Twins: 0.3 kg/ head/ day | Moderate quality silage or hay to appetite Concentrates (18% crude protein) Singles: 0.25 kg/ head/ day Twins: 0.5 kg/ head/ day |
It is also important to remember that the presentation and access to feed is important for intakes. Clean out troughs regularly so there is no spoilage of feed. It is also important to consider trough space to allow ewes to get adequate intake, below we have also included a rough guide below, again from AHDB:
| Concentrates | Restricted forage | Ad-lib forage or TMR | |
| Large ewes (70-90 kg) | 50cm / ewe | 25cm / ewe | 15cm / ewe |
| Small ewes (50-70 kg) | 45cm / ewe | 20cm / ewe | 15cm / ewe |
With the falling milk price we are beginning to have discussions around feeding whole milk to calves, please be careful if you are considering this. Whole milk should ideally be pasteurised or can be spiked with chemical treatment. TB also Johne’s disease would be particular concerns. If you are considering using whole milk feeding then please speak with us first.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We thank you very much for your continued custom.