Forage analysis is vital for correct ewe nutrition

Andrew Redpath, regional sales manager at Carr’s Billington, said a particularly important year lies ahead, following a challenging silaging season in 2024.

“Forage quality varies massively from year-to-year, and 2024’s wet spring and variable summer posed particular challenges for farmers trying to produce high quality forage,” he said. 

“This has impacted the feed value of silage and haylage stocks – including dry matter, protein, energy and digestibility levels – which then affects ewe feeding recommendations on each farm.”

He said the final six weeks of pregnancy are a pivotal time for finetuning ewe nutrition – based on forage analysis results and body condition scores (BCS) – because lamb foetal growth increases by 70 per cent and ewes begin producing colostrum during this time.

“Sticking to the same ration year-on-year, regardless of your forage composition, means you’re very likely to be overfeeding, or underfeeding, your ewes pre-lambing – even if you are factoring in condition scores,” added Mr Redpath.

He said both of these situations will lead to problems at lambing time – from oversized lambs, difficult lambings, and ewe prolapses, to undersized lambs that are malnourished and weak.

“Getting ewe pre-lambing nutrition right can also help to avoid issues such as toxaemia, hypocalcaemia and hypomagnesaemia, which all come with a cost to the farmer,”  he said. 

Tailoring nutrition helps ensure ewes’ needs are being met in the most cost-effective way, minimising wastage, he added.

“For instance, if you’re over-feeding each ewe by just 200g per day, this can add up to 12 tonnes surplus for a 1,000 ewe flock, and considerable wasted cost for a farm business," he said. 

He said ewe nutrition directly impacts the performance of lambs, and a high demand for energy and protein continues into lactation, when an ewe can consume up to 3% of her body weight in total dry matter.

“Balancing the ration correctly throughout this challenging time for the ewe helps maximise milk quality and quantity, to get lambs off to the best possible start,” explains Mr Redpath.

To help ensure that ewes’ nutrient requirements are met in the most cost-efficient way, he recommends using Carr’s Billington’s Ewe Check service.

“This is a unique ewe feeding ration programme that provides each farmer with a bespoke winter feed plan for their ewes, based on thorough forage analyses and individual flock information,” he explained.

“A qualified sheep nutritionist will help farmers select the most appropriate compound to supplement their forage, which varies year-to-year, to maximise both ewe and lamb performance.”

To find out more about Ewe Check, visit https://www.carrs-billington.com/