Mid-pregnancy feeding is key to lambing success
Nutrition in mid-pregnancy can be overlooked, but with declining quality and quantity of grass, alongside changing weather, a poor diet can impact productivity.
Although very little growth of the lambs will occur during the mid-pregnancy period, the placenta, which is essential for providing oxygen and essential nutrients to the growing lambs, will develop at this time. If nutrition is compromised during mid-pregnancy, then placental size can be small and a reduced supply of nutrients and oxygen will be available to the unborn lamb(s), often resulting in the birth of weak, unviable lambs.
Although some weight loss is common during mid-pregnancy, recent studies show that underfeeding ewes at this time can lead to an increase in lamb mortality and reduced lamb birth weight and vigour. It has also been reported that ewe lambs born to ewes underfed during mid pregnancy have reduced reproductive performance later in life.
Poor grass quality at this time can put ewes at high risk of losing body condition. Feeding in-lamb ewes to maintain or gain condition during mid-pregnancy to meet lambing BCS targets of 3.5 and 2.5 (lowland and hill ewes respectively), will directly impact the success of lambing so ensuring adequate supplies of energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins, can help maintain condition leading to the production of strong and healthy lambs in the spring.
We have a choice of high-quality products formulated and designed to support the ewe during mid-pregnancy. By choosing the product that suits your flock, ideal ewe body condition score can be more easily achieved.
OPTI-LIX HIGH ENERGY is an extra high energy (16 ME MJ/kg DM) and protein (12%), high sugar (35%) feed lick also containing a full complement of essential minerals, vitamins and trace elements to balance any mineral deficiencies commonly found in grazing over the winter months. Ideal for maintaining ewe body condition.
SHEEP NATURAL ENERGY is an all-natural protein, high energy feed and mineral bucket with selenium, cobalt, protected zinc and vitamin E to support stock at grass. Ideal for ewes needing to gain body condition this winter.
OPTI-BLOX HIGH ENERGY is a high energy and protein (natural and urea sources) pressed feed and mineral block. Fortified with minerals, vitamins and trace elements to help complement levels often found lacking in forages. Ideal for ewes that are short of quality grazing or need extra BCS support this winter.
For those ewes not requiring extra energy and protein, SHEEP GP mineral bucket has been specially formulated to balance the known deficiencies in high grass and forage-based diets.
Don’t let the hard work during tupping this year go to waste. Supplementation during the mid-pregnancy period is crucial to ensure ewe body condition is on target to achieve better returns.