Sheep Management
Sheep Management
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Sheep Management
Ewe nutrition in late gestation has a profound effect on lamb birth weights, colostrum quality and yield and ewe mothering ability.
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Farmers at this week’s Teagasc national sheep conferences were told that thin ewes are a continual drain on productivity and increase the risk of disease establishing.
Reports indicate a greater incidence of Schmallenberg virus in early lambing flocks ranging from sporadic cases to significant mortality.
Ronan Gallagher has invested in a heavy-duty tarp cover for his existing polytunnel for his prize winning pedigree Texels.
Research has shown that for pregnant ewe lambs to have the best chance of rearing a lamb, they should be gaining in the region of 80g liveweight during early and mid-pregnancy.
With sheep representing a much higher value, feeding programmes that reduce mortality will deliver an even greater return on your investment.
Where ewes are being retained indoors for any length of time, then concentrate supplementation needs to ensure that a nutritional deficit is minimised.
From 1 January 2025 farms in Ireland with a grassland stocking rate in excess of 100kg/ha organic nitrogen cannot avail of reduced storage capacity via outwintering sheep.
While there may be a perception that ewes are in good condition Teagasc are finding that some flocks have significant numbers of ewes requiring preferential treatment.
Doing a straw budget now will allow decisions to be made, such as retaining a portion of sheep outdoors to conserve supplies.
