Pre-Lambing Management of Ewes

With scanning of ewes beginning on many flocks around the country in January, pre-lambing management then becomes very important. Scanning ewes 80 days post-ram turnout ensures that the scanner accurately picks up all lambs the ewe is carrying. This in turn allows the farmer to plan their feeding regime and segregate ewes carrying twins, triplets and also ewes that may have a low body condition score (BCS) etc.

Pre Lambing Management

 Nutrition

When feeding concentrates to ewes the amount of concentrates given, timing of concentrates and type of forage fed is hugely important. The chart below shows that when feeding low quality forage (65% DMD), twin bearing ewes will require concentrates from 8-10 weeks prior to lambing. It also shows how effective high quality forage (75% DMD) can be on reducing concentrate requirements for ewes pre-lambing. Recent studies in Teagasc have shown that feeding High-Digestible silage ad-lib (SAL) can reduce concentrate supplement in pregnant ewes by up to 75%. Carrying out a silage analysis is an effective method of measuring silage quality. Quinn’s provide a silage analysis service and can formulate a diet to suit your flock for this lambing season.

Quinn’s provide a range of rations and ewe nuts for your lambing requirements this spring season. Our 2 high quality ewe rations, 17% Sheep and 20% Sheep include native cereals, pulses and have a very high inclusion of soya bean meal.  These rations can be fed both pre and post lambing, include a high specification ewe mineral and can include Calmag on request.

Quinn’s 18% Ewe Nuts are similar in their make up to 17% Sheep. They suit farmers who prefer a cube for feeding outside etc. Alternatively, the 18% Ewe Pencil is similar but has a higher energy inclusion for ewes that may be carrying twins, triplets or have low BCS in late pregnancy.  These ewe nuts include Calmag as standard and can be fed pre and post lambing. However, the inclusion of magnesium does not make it safe to feed to intensively reared ram lambs. Therefore, feeding 18% Intensive Lamb Pellets or 17% Intensive LambCare to lambs ensures they get the mineral and nutritional requirements and prevent urinary calculi. For more information or advice on feeding ewes this spring contact your local Quinn’s Technical Advisor or our office on 059 6481266.

Silage DMD

10-9 weeks pre-lambing

8-7 weeks pre-lambing

6-5 weeks pre-lambing

4-3 weeks pre-lambing

2-1 weeks pre-lambing

60%

SAL + 0.1kg

SAL+ 0.3kg

SAL + 0.6kg

SAL +0.8kgs

SAL + 1.0kg

65%

SAL

SAL+ 0.1kg

SAL+ 0.4kg

SAL + 0.6kgs

SAL + 0.8kg

70%

SAL

SAL + 0.1kg

SAL+ 0.3kg

SAL + 0.5kgs

SAL + 0.7kg

75%

SAL

SAL

SAL+ 0.1kg

SAL + 0.4kgs

SAL + 0.6kg

Jan 2017