Supplementing lactating ewes:The high levels of rainfall over the last 10 days and poor ground conditions mean that early lambing flocks are likely to be faced with retaining ewes and lambs indoors for a significant period of time.

Twin-suckling ewes in good body condition and offered ad-lib access to moderate quality silage (68-70+DMD) will require 1.2kg to 1.5kg concentrate supplementation, rising to 1.5kg to 1.7kg for ewes lacking condition.

Single-suckling in good body condition will require 0.6kg to 0.8kg concentrates rising to 1kg or higher for ewes lacking condition.

Feeding levels

The feeding levels described above can typically be reduced by 0.2kg where ewes and lambs are retained indoors for a short period post-lambing.

Use sufficient straw and maintain high levels of hygiene to prevent disease establishing.

SWS scanning records:Farmers participating in the Sheep Welfare Scheme who selected the popular measure of pregnancy scanning need to be mindful to keep the scanning invoice on file. This needs to display the number of ewes scanned and the breakdown in litter size.

The second component of the measure involves recording the feeding programme in place including the date on which feeding commences, the rate offered per day and the total volume of concentrates fed per ewe.

The current feeding programme does not need to change provided it is delivering on the scheme target of improving lamb survivability and reducing lamb mortality.

The scheme action booklet includes a table for recording the required data. It lists a feeding rate per head per day but this does not mean a flat rate feeding programme needs to be implemented.

For example, the standard Teagasc late pregnancy feeding programme detailed in Table 1 can be used.

Some flocks use feed buckets in late pregnancy, others lambing outdoors use a combination of silage/concentrate supplementation or forage crops in the run-up to lambing and grass supplies for the period of lambing. The important aspect is that whatever programme is in place is recorded.

It is also permissible not to offer concentrate supplementation to single-bearing ewes in good body condition and with access to forage of sufficient quality.

The Department advise that silage, hay or grass availability and ewe condition may be examined in an inspection if there is any doubt the feeding programme is not sufficient.

The feeding programme in Table 1 can generally be increased by 30% for triplet-bearing ewes and reduced by 30% for single-bearing ewes. It is important given the current inclement weather and challenging ground conditions that supplementation is introduced in adequate time to meet nutritional demands.