Scanning and hill ewes

Flocks participating in the Sheep Welfare Scheme that have selected the scanning measure must scan ewes approximately 70-100 days post ram turnout. Results must be acted upon, with the terms and conditions of the scheme recommending that ewes are grouped according to litter size for preferential treatment.

Reports suggest that some flocks have a higher percentage of ewes in below optimum condition. Grouping thin, single-bearing ewes with multiple bearing ewes for preferential treatment is one straightforward way of addressing condition. Good-quality forage is also in tighter supply on some farms, but effort should be made to try and have forage available for these ewes in late pregnancy. In terms of a feeding programme, the sheep welfare scheme handbook has a facility to record concentrate supplementation levels in late pregnancy, but farmers can also implement alternative feeding programmes, such as offering feed blocks or buckets, molasses or ewe cobs, with the Department’s stipulation in this regard that any feeding programme will deliver the required response of ewes lambing down in good condition and lower levels of lamb mortality. Details of the feeding programme selected should be recorded in the scheme booklet, while the receipt for scanning must show results and be retained for inspection. Looking at costs, concentrates remain the best value, but labour needs to be factored into the equation in extensive hill systems. When weighing up feed blocks, the same advice applies in analysing ingredients and energy content. Molasses is a high-energy feed, but is quite low in protein, so account needs to be taken of this with an additional protein supply provided, especially in the final two- to three-week period.

Colostrum quality

Inadequate colostrum production or quality is regularly associated with insufficient protein intake in the last two to three weeks of gestation. Ewes in this period require in the region of 200g/day, with soya bean meal the best source of bypass protein and high energy value. A lamb’s vigour will also have an influence on colostrum intake, with adequate feeding in late pregnancy and lambing in suitable conditions directly impacting on lamb vigour. Where ewe colostrum is limited, then there will be no option but to supplement lambs. Research carried out in UCD shows that lambs which received ewe colostrum as opposed to a colostrum alternative achieved higher lifetime performance. While not always possible to have a source of ewe colostrum available, the best balance is ensuring lambs get an allocation of ewe colostrum to promote antibody intake and a top-up of alternative colostrum can be used to fill the deficit. Cow colostrum will also work, but be careful if getting colostrum from another farm due to disease risk (Johne’s).

Sheep welfare scheme extension

The closing date for year two of the Sheep Welfare Scheme has been extended to 9 February. Paper forms should be returned to the Sheep Welfare Section, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Government Offices, Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise. Online returns on www.agfood.ie. The helpdesk can be contacted at sheepscheme@agriculture.gov.ie, or on 076-1064420.