Grass tetany: While ewes are under much less pressure than this time last year and weather is ideal for lambing, the sharp switch from above-normal daytime temperatures and frost at night may be enough of a stress factor to trigger an increased risk of grass tetany in lactating ewes.

Ewes should have access to magnesium buckets in advance of a higher-risk period.

The risk will be highest in swards which are growing rapidly and have a high leaf-to-stem ratio. Swards which are high in potassium and have received slurry recently will also be at greater risk.

Animals must ingest sufficient levels of magnesium on a daily basis and prevention centres around helping to ensure this happens. Offering ewes access to high-mag lick buckets is the most common form of prevention. It is important to boost magnesium levels in advance of a known risk period, with a two-to-three day period often required to ensure blood magnesium levels are adequate. Feeding a small volume of concentrates (0.3-0.5kg) containing magnesium post-turnout may be the best option for a few days when ewes are switching abruptly from a concentrate/silage diet to lush grass. Ewes and lambs should be turned out to grass early in the day to give the maximum timeframe for them to settle in their new environment. Administering magnesium bullets or the addition of magnesium to water are other preventative routes, while pasture dusting is an option rarely used.

The onset of disease is rapid. Characteristic signs include animals isolating themselves from the flock, muscle tremors and animals stretched out and kicking (due to the muscle tremors), with ewes often dying quickly without getting a chance to see these symptoms at play. Swift treatment by administering magnesium is essential to improve the chances of a successful recovery.

Lambing issues: There are a few other issues being reported in higher frequency. Ewes in many cases are in much better body condition. There have been more reports of ewes that are approaching lambing and remain outdoors going on their backs over the last week. This may slacken off with rain forecast, but is something to be mindful to. There also appears to be a higher incidence of prolapse in some flocks and issues with large birthweights in single lambs where ewes have been fed outdoors. It is important to take into account that grass supplies are better than previous spring periods, meaning late-pregnancy diets may need to be tailored accordingly.

The normal rate of vaginal prolapse in a flock is one to two cases in 100 ewes. Additional cases may highlight aspects that need to be changed and include a high percentage of multiple births, ewes in excessive condition and increasing abdominal pressure, large-sized lambs and feeding of bulky, high-fibre or low-digestible feeds in late pregnancy. Some flocks have encountered a higher incidence of uterine prolapse, with some extreme cases of expulsion of internal membranes where euthanasia is usually the only realistic option.

Applying harnesses may be sufficient to deal with less serious issues until the ewe lambs. More severe cases are likely to require suturing or stitching, with suturing of the vulva quite successful in preventing reoccurrence. Hygiene is critical in dealing with all types and cleaning and disinfecting where required of prolapsed material is central to successful treatment and preventing reoccurrence.

Where the prolapse involves excessive vaginal or uterine expulsion, administering pain relief and anti-inflammatory treatment is important.