Mineral supplementation of ewes post-breeding was a popular option selected by farmers in the Sheep Welfare Scheme. With breeding intensity set to accelerate in the coming weeks, there is quite a bit of discussion on ensuring all the requirements are satisfied.

The Department of Agriculture has highlighted a number of key components. The first of these relates to the product label, with the Department advising that the label of the product used must clearly state the product is suitable for ewes. It must also specify a duration of cover for ewes; for example “this product is effective for X days or X weeks”.

The product must also specify a dose rate. In the case of boluses, for example, it might be one bolus per ewe or, for mineral buckets, the label may read “one bucket per 30 ewes will last for 15 days”.

It is important to note also that the product must cover at least the period of the first 60 days after ram turn-out. Farmers should ensure the recommended amount of product or products is used, as per label guidelines, as the Department will be carrying out checks on this as part of the standard scheme verification checks.

Registered

In relation to purchasing mineral supplements, once the manufacturer of the product, the wholesaler or retailer are registered with the Department as a food business operator, the product will be considered eligible for the purposes of the Sheep Welfare Scheme.

It is my understanding that the Department expects to commence inspections in the coming weeks. Therefore, farmers should take this opportunity to ensure their paperwork for all actions carried out to date is completed in their scheme action record book.