With the lambing season upon us, sheep farmers are being asked to consider if they are supplying adequate energy to ensure the nutritional demands of the ewe are being met.
Commenting on the best approach to nutrition, Dr Kenton Hart, Caltech Crystalyx’s technical manager, said: “Throughout a ewe’s pregnancy, regardless of system ,the nutritional demands follow the same pattern, and its vital farmers focus on the timely needs of the pregnant ewes to reduce losses and maximise performance.
“Nutrition in mid pregnancy should be sufficient to optimise placental growth. Foetuses undergo very little growth in mid pregnancy, but growth of the placenta continues and is completed by the end of the third month of gestation. The placenta provides all the nutrients for the unborn lambs in late pregnancy and poor placental development will result in low birthweight lambs with poor viability – irrespective of late pregnancy feeding.
“So, mid pregnancy feeding should aim to maintain ewe condition as far as possible. Loss of body condition in mid pregnancy will only reduce body reserves available for milk production in early lactation.”
Dr Hart added: “Research work by SAC showed that a sub-clinical deficiency of cobalt in the first half of pregnancy resulted in lambs which were slower to stand and suckle and much more susceptible to neonatal diseases. All these symptoms occurred irrespective of late pregnancy feeding, so it’s important not to put all your efforts into late pregnancy nutrition – mid pregnancy efforts will be rewarded.
“Access to dry hay in mid pregnancy is always beneficial and can be complemented with a high energy feed block together with trace elements, minerals and vitamins to stimulate forage digestion and fermentation in the rumen and help bridge any dietary shortfall. This is a proven and very easy practice to put into place.”
Dr Hart added: “Lamb survival is largely dependent on a good birthweight and high lamb vigour, coupled with good maternal care and a swift onset of lactation by the ewe. With 70% of foetal growth taking place in the final six weeks of pregnancy, all these factors are dependent on good late pregnancy nutrition.
“As the unborn lamb grows, so does the energy demand placed on the heavily pregnant ewe. The more lambs she carries, the greater her daily energy requirement. But as the volume of the uterus increases with growing foetal size, rumen volume is decreased due to a lack of available space in the abdomen, illustrating the need for effective nutrition. It’s all about quality and not quantity.”
