Farmers participating in the Sheep Welfare Scheme who choose the scanning action should be aware of the record-keeping requirements.

All farmers participating in the scheme are required to fill out the Scheme Action Record Book. A large proportion of participating farmers choose the scanning action. One of the main points to note is that ewes must be scanned between 70 and 100 days after ram turnout.

Scanning results must be recorded and the receipt and copy of scanning results from the scanner must be retained and made available for inspection or administrative control check.

Feeding records

The task of scanning ewes is only one aspect of the measure. Ewes must also be grouped and managed post-scanning in accordance with litter size. This is an area where there are questions arising.

Page seven of the Scheme Action Record Book 2018 deals with scanning. It includes the table shown for recording the volume of concentrate supplementation, listing the starting date meal feeding commences, the rate offered per day and the total supplementation used.

Some farmers have asked if this means that ewes must be fed a flat rate allocation pre-lambing. Others have asked if it means that single-bearing ewes in adequate body condition in late pregnancy must receive concentrate supplementation.

Department officials at information meetings have been keen to point out that they are not looking for farmers to change their current feeding programmes if they are satisfying the aim of improving lamb survivability and reducing mortality.

They advise farmers to record their feeding programme and summarise where appropriate into the table or where not suitable to record the feeding strategy on the same page. For example, some hill flocks in particular, but also lowland flocks, will offer ewes feed buckets in the run up to lambing. This practice can continue as long as ewes are separated and fed in accordance with litter size.

Where single-bearing ewes are in good condition and are not receiving concentrate supplementation, this can be recorded in the table as zero supplementation. However, it should be noted that grass/hay/silage availability and ewe condition score may be examined at inspection.

Final week

In relation to lambing outdoors and using grass reserves to meet nutritional demands in the final week to 10 days of lambing; this may be sufficient for single-bearing ewes in good condition and with adequate grass supplies.

Treat your ewes in the pre-lambing period in accordance with their litter size

However, in general, the Department advises that the requirements of multiple-bearing ewes will include extra supplementation in the final weeks of pregnancy.

A very important point to make in relation to scanning in general is that, regardless of the requirements of the scheme, it is only of benefit if you make use of the results – ie treat your ewes in the pre-lambing period in accordance with their litter size.

Recommended feeding

The recommended level of meal supplementation will depend on litter size and the quality of forage available.

The standard Teagasc recommendations for a 75kg to 80kg twin-bearing ewe in good body condition is listed in Table 2. These recommendations can generally be increased by 30% for triplet-bearing ewes and reduced by 30% for single-bearing ewes.

Good-quality leafy hay has an equivalent feeding value of moderate to good-quality hay with the feed benefiting in terms of feeding value by potentially higher intake.

It is also worth noting that intake and performance will be greater with precision over single-chopped silage, with poor-quality silage also depressing intake.