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Inclement weather and poor ground conditions continue to present challenges for early lambing flocks in getting ewes and lambs released outdoors.
Adequate feeding is critical to avoid any setback in ewe milk yield which in turn will hit lamb performance.
Twin suckling ewes in good body condition and offered ad-lib access to average- to moderate-quality silage of 68 to 70 DMD (or top-quality hay) will require concentrate supplementation in the region of 1.2kg to 1.5kg concentrates daily, rising to 1.5kg to 1.7kg where ewes are in poor body condition.
Single-suckling ewes on the same forage will require 0.5kg to 0.7kg concentrate, rising to 1kg for thin ewes.
The demand for protein remains high in early lactation and as such it is important to persist in feeding concentrates with a protein content of 18% to 20% (will be influenced by forage).
Given that the energy content of leafy spring grass is capable of meeting the nutritional requirements of lactating ewes, the aim should be to get ewes and lambs turned outdoors as soon as weather permits.
Where grass utilisation is poor, it is advisable to continue with a level of concentrate supplementation (0.5kg to 0.8kg) to ensure the overall energy content of the diet remains sufficient.
Sheep management: lambing preparation
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