Finishing lambs indoors

The recent rainfall has been the catalyst for some farmers to bring lambs indoors for finishing or stepping up meal feeding levels. The best return in recent years for light hill and crossbred lambs has been carrying lambs into the new year where possible on grass, allowing them to develop a good frame and then finishing intensively when market prices are rising.

Market forecasts look favourable again for next spring but for many lambing flocks this is not an option. Where lambs are being finished now, concentrate formulation and feed management is central to achieving high levels of performance.

The focus for most finishing diets should be on energy content over protein content. A protein content of 11% to 12% will suffice for well-grown lambs, while growing lambs will benefit from 13% to 14% protein content, rising to 16% for very light lambs (less than 30kg) with a lot of growing still to do.

The ingredients do not need to be complex with feeds based on high-energy cereals. It is difficult to purchase straights such as barley in many areas, while there is higher demand for soya hulls and beet pulp. Maize meal currently represents better value for money than barley and is the reason behind higher inclusion levels. Wheat is another option but nutritionist advice cautions to limit inclusion levels to 15% to 20% due to an increased risk of digestive issues.

These ingredients can be balanced with fibre sources such as beet pulp and soya hulls; distillers grains is another relatively good feed. Oats are a safe bet with a higher fibre content but are of a lower energy level than other cereals. Soya bean meal is the best protein source but is expensive. Rapeseed has a role in some diets. It should be limited, however, due to a lower energy content and palatability issues where inclusion rates approach 20%. Where lambs are on a high concentrate diet, it is recommended to build up to ad-lib levels over 10 days to two weeks. For male lambs, include ammonium chloride at 0.5% to prevent urinary calculi.

Clostridial booster

Lambs should also receive their clostridial disease vaccine in advance of a marked change in feeding levels or their environment. Early lambing flocks on a clostridial vaccination programme should also watch their lambing dates as a booster vaccination is recommended four to six weeks pre-lambing. Flocks building animals up to full immunity require two treatments separated by a four- to six-week interval. Ewes in late pregnancy should be handled carefully.

Shed alterations

This week’s Focus feature on getting winter-ready includes information on establishing straw requirements and alternative bedding options . With straw likely to remain tighter and unlikely to fall back to historically lower prices, some farmers are looking at longer term options and shed alterations.

Some farmers have had success in installing slats and feeding platforms raised at a height of 9in to 18in above ground levels, whereby slats can be lifted on a yearly or biennial period for cleaning. Trapper or stepper slats cost in the region of €50/sq m to €55/sq m, while mesh slats are a lower cost but have a shorter lifespan.