Ahead of tupping, sheep farmers should ensure that ewes have enough minerals for the most successful spring lambing. This is the advice from Alister Davies, UK beef and sheep commercial manager at ForFarmers.
He notes that there are important minerals which should be added to the diet at this time of year, with the body condition score having one of the biggest impacts on fertility.
“Ewes should be a body condition score of 3.5 in lowland flocks or 2.5 in hill flocks at the point of being put to the tup,” he says.
Zinc is one of the most important minerals to consider, as it plays a role in both fertility and lameness.
Alister notes: “Zinc helps to combat footrot so it is important for sheep farmers that pre-tupping ewes have a good intake of this mineral. Zinc is also beneficial for ram fertility.”
Many plants and forages will contain low levels of sodium, which aids nutrient uptake in the ewe, so this is an essential supplement at pre-tupping, he adds, as well as fish oil which can lead to stronger lambs, better colostrum and easier lambing.
“There are multiple benefits of feeding fish oil to pre-tupping ewes starting with fertility and going through to the embryo and newborn lamb stages. The omega-3 contained in the oil helps to get the ewe cycling while also increasing disease resistance.”
Other reported benefits of feeding fish oil include a possible reduction in methane levels produced by the animal, as the omega-3 fatty acids partly escape hydrogenation in the rumen.
It also creates conjugated linoleic acid, which is deposited in meat and milk and has been shown to protect against cancer, atherosclerosis and inflammatory diseases.
For more information go to www.forfarmers.co.uk