Colostrum management

Farmers currently lambing are facing major challenges, with space at a premium. This is likely to lead to the immune response of lambs being pushed to the limit. There are two big factors that will help to ensure lambs get off to a good start – being born into a clean environment and having quick access to sufficient high-quality colostrum.

With regards to the lambing environment, farmers should focus on having clean straw bedding and getting navels dipped or sprayed as soon as possible. Infection can also gain entry quickly as lambs start to suckle – in this regard it is important to manage sheep to reduce the risk of wool around the udder and teats becoming soiled.

Extensive research has been carried out at UCD Lyons Research Farm on all aspects of colostrum management. Colostrum fulfils three important functions: it provides the lamb with antibodies to diseases ewes have been exposed to, provides a source of food for heat and energy production and acts as a laxative, which is crucial in clearing the digestive tract.

A lamb’s ability to absorb colostrum remains high for the first six to eight hours of life. About 20% to 25% of the immunoglobulins, or antibodies, consumed will be absorbed into the blood stream and research at Lyons has shown that absorption will increase as immunoglobulin intake increases during the first 18 hours of life. The volume of immunoglobulins decreases quickly, reducing by a third at 10 hours post-lambing and a further third by 18 hours post-lambing.

Quantity is equally important and the general recommendation is 50ml colostrum per kilogram of bodyweight at least three times during the first 18 hours of life. For a 5kg lamb this equates to 250ml in each feed. Colostrum requirements will be lower for lambs born indoors in a warm environment than for those born outdoors.

Ewe colostrum is the best source, containing between 14% and 17% fat content and 18% to 20% protein. Half of the protein is present in the form of immunoglobulins or antibodies. It is therefore important to try and get some colostrum into lambs. For example, in triplet litters it is beneficial to offer each lamb some ewe colostrum and to top up with cow colostrum/a colostrum alternative. Research shows lambs that receive ewe colostrum finished 24 days earlier than lambs that received a colostrum alternative. Lambs in the trial were artificially fed.

Water intake

Ewes in good condition will be able to deal with a temporary shortfall in energy intake if delayed getting to grass.

Water intake in contrast is vital and increases sharply from two to three litres pre-lambing to up to 10l post-lambing where ewes are consuming a high dry matter diet. Inadequate water intake will depress intake of feed and have a significant effect on colostrum yield and ewe health.

Grass supplies

There is a major variation in ground conditions on sheep farms. Soils are waterlogged on most farms while the worst affected farmers have land under water. This week’s focus supplement covers fertiliser applications. This is a long way from the minds of many farmers but page 51 also covers advice on dealing with tighter grass supplies and getting back on track quickly when conditions eventually improve.