Rationing ewes for a successful lambing
With tupping under way, remember that the first few weeks post-tupping are critical for embryo development.
It is important ewes are maintained on the same plane of nutrition with minimal dietary changes. Stress from handling or inadequate nutrition must be avoided to reduce embryo mortality.
In late pregnancy (six weeks prior to lambing) 75 per cent of foetal growth occurs. This corresponds with the increase in the ewe’s requirement for energy and protein. The biggest challenge in meeting this energy increase is the lamb growth causes the ewe's Dry Matter Intake to drop up to 30 per cent resulting in a DMI as low as 1.4 kg. Feeding high energy ewe feed such as Ewetrition Rolls or Champion Ewe Nuts helps meet the nutrition requirement.
When ewes have a deficit in energy, they mobilise back fat which is metabolised in the liver. This can lead to pregnancy toxaemia, hypocalcaemia, lower milk yield and increased lamb mortality.
Abbigail England is technical manager at NWF Agriculture
