For hill sheep farmers in the east and south, snow drifts and wind chill remain the greatest concern. The worst damage from snow drifts is generally on high ground where animals get trapped under a heavy drift and weather prevents access for a period of time. At this stage, the advice is to put your safety first and refrain from travelling into dangerous terrain. Where animals are close to hand it is worth monitoring wind direction and ensuring animals have shelter from the prevailing wind.
Shelter and nutrition are two vital components to consider during teh cold snap. This is particularly the case for ewes with young lambs at foot, with nutrition and shelter two vital considerations. Increasing supplementation levels by 5% to 10% over the current offering will help to boost energy intake. Where spring grass has fulfilled the energy requirement of lactating ewes up to now, the need to supplement and the level required will depend on the volume of snowfall present and the length it lasts on the ground. At a minimum, lactating ewes with no access to grass should be supplemented with concentrates while taking care to target feeding levels so that acidosis is not a risk. Remember lactating ewes require up to 10l of water per day.
Offering outwintered ewes forage, even for a short period, will help to overcome a nutritional deficit and avoid problems. Offering outwintered ewes forage, even for a short period, will help to overcome a nutritional deficit and avoid problems.
Ewes and lambs should be given access to fields with the best shelter, with feeding early in the day and in advance of nightfall allowing animals time to find shelter. Placing troughs in the position with the best shelter will also help. Pregnant ewes in good body condition will be able to withstand a level of underfeeding for a short period of time but this should not be pushed too far as it will increase the risk of twin lamb disease.
Feeding options are discussed in management notes on page 70. The notes also discuss dealing with hypothermia in lambs, which is high risk given the wind chill that is forecast.
Read more
Sheep trends: trade firm amid snow disruptions
How to deal with frozen pipes
For hill sheep farmers in the east and south, snow drifts and wind chill remain the greatest concern. The worst damage from snow drifts is generally on high ground where animals get trapped under a heavy drift and weather prevents access for a period of time. At this stage, the advice is to put your safety first and refrain from travelling into dangerous terrain. Where animals are close to hand it is worth monitoring wind direction and ensuring animals have shelter from the prevailing wind.
Shelter and nutrition are two vital components to consider during teh cold snap. This is particularly the case for ewes with young lambs at foot, with nutrition and shelter two vital considerations. Increasing supplementation levels by 5% to 10% over the current offering will help to boost energy intake. Where spring grass has fulfilled the energy requirement of lactating ewes up to now, the need to supplement and the level required will depend on the volume of snowfall present and the length it lasts on the ground. At a minimum, lactating ewes with no access to grass should be supplemented with concentrates while taking care to target feeding levels so that acidosis is not a risk. Remember lactating ewes require up to 10l of water per day.
Offering outwintered ewes forage, even for a short period, will help to overcome a nutritional deficit and avoid problems. Offering outwintered ewes forage, even for a short period, will help to overcome a nutritional deficit and avoid problems.
Ewes and lambs should be given access to fields with the best shelter, with feeding early in the day and in advance of nightfall allowing animals time to find shelter. Placing troughs in the position with the best shelter will also help. Pregnant ewes in good body condition will be able to withstand a level of underfeeding for a short period of time but this should not be pushed too far as it will increase the risk of twin lamb disease.
Feeding options are discussed in management notes on page 70. The notes also discuss dealing with hypothermia in lambs, which is high risk given the wind chill that is forecast.
Read more
Sheep trends: trade firm amid snow disruptions
How to deal with frozen pipes
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