livestock nutrition


Supplementing ewes pre-lambing to prevent problems post Lambing


In this month's livestock nutrition article, David Thornton from Rumenco explains that pre-lambing ewe feeding is often the key to a successful lambing and, practised well, will make sure those new season lambs are able to thrive as soon as they are born.


To get lambs off to the best possible start ewes need to be producing milk; lots of it, of high quality and it must appear on time! It saves lives and hassle and it saves time when you haven't got any!


Recent findings from both commercial and research farms show the benefits of feeding supplementary protein to ewes pre lambing. This was added to typical basal complete diets of silage and a little molasses and minerals. In SAC trials, feeding protein at around 130% of requirement, as indicated by feed


rationing programmes, had the following effects:


Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ


Enhanced immune response Lower faecal worm egg count Higher lamb birth weight


No increase in lambing difficulties. Better appetite in ewes (less selection)


It is important to note that these


increases in protein intake were achieved using digestible undegradable protein (DUP) supplements. The Rumevite Sheep Super Energy block (18% protein) – now with added fish oil – provides this type of protein balanced with a 13 ME energy value. This product is considered to be one of the best supplements for ewes


David Thornton has been with Rumenco for 30 years. He is a respected nutritionist and has helped many beef, dairy and sheep producers maximise the value of home grown forages through cost-effective supplementary feeding of Rumevite feedblocks, Supalyx and Lifeline buckets and the wider range of Rumenco feed products.


pre/post lambing, as it contains the right type of protein to balance forage and


stimulate milk let down, provides highly available energy to help prevent


metabolic problems such as twin lamb disease and – because blocks are consumed on a little and often basis – there is good evidence from users that it helps against prolapse.


The addition of fish oil to the Rumevite block (pictured above right) is an


innovative feature. This follows extensive research into the benefits of


supplementing with fish oils and extra vitamin E on the health and vitality of new-born lambs. Both are well proven and Rumevite is the first block


supplement to combine their benefits into a palatable lick.


Another important feed nutrient before lambing is a regular intake of energy.


Farming Ezine Page 16


This helps maintain ewe body condition score,


which itself can


contribute towards the


nutrient


pool pre lambing, but it also helps reduce the threat of metabolic problems again such as twin lamb disease. Rumevite blocks are based on starch and sugars as


fermentable energy sources, which offers advantages over molasses-based licks, which provide sugar only. Starch releases its energy more slowly than sugar giving sustained benefits over a longer period.


Rumevite blocks are also available with Deccox to help prevent and treat coccidiosis and toxoplasmosis. These products are proven in trials to be highly effective and should be fed from housing of the ewes or at least 6-8 weeks before lambing for best effects.


Compared with equivalent molasses- based licks, the Rumevite block is around 60% the price, but is eaten at a higher rate of intake. Therefore the system cost is comparable, but the nutritional contribution from Rumevite is significantly more.


After lambing, Rumevite can be relied upon as a feed supplement to grazing and has the advantage that lambs learn from their mothers to consume the block from an early age. Where coccidioisis is a


threat, this offers many advantages over feeding a medicated lamb creep through earlier intake of the anti-coccidial preparation.


Rumevite blocks fed after lambing can also eliminate the problem of mis-


mothering where it replaces or is used in conjunction with conventional feeding. In practice, given at least 4cm sward height of grazing, which is actively growing away


with the sheep, using blocks alone is a very easy and problem free way of feeding big groups of animals.


www.farmnequine.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24