With weather less suitable for lamb performance on a grass-only diet, many farmers are finding that while lambs have developed into a good size and frame, they have a lower cover of flesh than anticipated. This is also adding competition into the trade and agents are now looking to source suitably finished lambs and with prices creeping upwards. It will be hard to finish lambs from this stage of the year onwards without some form of supplementary feeding to boost energy intake. Where lambs have access to top-quality grass and ground conditions are good, supplementing with 300g to 500g concentrate may suffice. Where grass quality is poor or quantity is limiting, this will need to be increased with a short intensive finishing period beneficial where lambs are competing with ewes for diminishing grass supplies. Protein will not be a concern where lambs are still grazing and therefore the focus should be on a simple cereal-based ration to ease finishing costs. Where feeding more than 0.5kg daily, build levels slowly and spilt feeding levels to twice daily. If grass is particularly tight, considering finishing lambs indoors may be the preferred option.
Hill lambs open day: The live market for hill lambs has been variable this autumn. The trade started brightly with buyers boosted in confidence by favourable returns in the previous two years. The trade struggled somewhat of late with poor weather limiting demand and performance. With more lambs in the system, some farmers are left considering the most economical route to market. An open day next Tuesday 15 November, from 11am to 2pm in Teagasc Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co Galway, will focus specifically on finishing hill lambs, exploring all the options available. Topics covered include the following;
Store lamb performance at grass including meal feeding options. Flock health – parasite control, vaccines, lameness, etc.Ration formulation, mineral supplementation and feed management. Indoor finishing options, shearing and budgeting. Strain comparison and results from Athenry, Co Galway. Read more
Finishing hill lambs efficiently
Sheep management: breeding progress
With weather less suitable for lamb performance on a grass-only diet, many farmers are finding that while lambs have developed into a good size and frame, they have a lower cover of flesh than anticipated. This is also adding competition into the trade and agents are now looking to source suitably finished lambs and with prices creeping upwards. It will be hard to finish lambs from this stage of the year onwards without some form of supplementary feeding to boost energy intake. Where lambs have access to top-quality grass and ground conditions are good, supplementing with 300g to 500g concentrate may suffice. Where grass quality is poor or quantity is limiting, this will need to be increased with a short intensive finishing period beneficial where lambs are competing with ewes for diminishing grass supplies. Protein will not be a concern where lambs are still grazing and therefore the focus should be on a simple cereal-based ration to ease finishing costs. Where feeding more than 0.5kg daily, build levels slowly and spilt feeding levels to twice daily. If grass is particularly tight, considering finishing lambs indoors may be the preferred option.
Hill lambs open day: The live market for hill lambs has been variable this autumn. The trade started brightly with buyers boosted in confidence by favourable returns in the previous two years. The trade struggled somewhat of late with poor weather limiting demand and performance. With more lambs in the system, some farmers are left considering the most economical route to market. An open day next Tuesday 15 November, from 11am to 2pm in Teagasc Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co Galway, will focus specifically on finishing hill lambs, exploring all the options available. Topics covered include the following;
Store lamb performance at grass including meal feeding options. Flock health – parasite control, vaccines, lameness, etc.Ration formulation, mineral supplementation and feed management. Indoor finishing options, shearing and budgeting. Strain comparison and results from Athenry, Co Galway. Read more
Finishing hill lambs efficiently
Sheep management: breeding progress
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