Mineral supplementation: The action of mineral supplementation of ewe post-mating is a commonly selected choice in the Sheep Improvement Scheme. Minerals administered must provide cover for at least 60 days post-mating with post-mating defined as the day that rams are joined with ewes.
Where more than one mating date is in place this should be recorded in the scheme action booklet.
Sheep can receive mineral supplementation in advance of breeding with the focus to ensure that the 60-day period is covered by whatever mode or modes of supplementation is offered. Supplementation may take the form of bagged mineral feeding stuffs (dry minerals), mineral blocks, drenches and liquid minerals, injectables or boluses or feeds with an appropriate mineral content.
With lick buckets, it is important to note that the required number of lick buckets based on the recommended daily feeding guidelines must be purchased irrespective of whether ewes are consuming them. The product must also state that the product is suitable for ewes / adult sheep and specify a duration of cover. Farmers must record the date on which supplementation commenced, the number of ewes in the group, the method of supplementation used, the product name and rate of administration.
The Department recently released an advice note to farmers advising them to take care when administering boluses as there have been some reported cases of mortality due to damage incurred to sheep’s throats in the administration process.
Temporary grazing: There have been some questions over the last week about the cost of temporary grazing agreements. There hasn’t been a massive amount of prices reported to-date but those that are have been similar to last year. Ewes are being quoted a cost ranging on average from 70c to €1/head per week. The higher cost is in cases for reseeded or dry ground and also possibly with some supervision of livestock.
There are also quotes back to 50c/week where ewes are quickly running over an area to clean off paddocks and fencing is required by the livestock owner. While deals on a per acre basis are quoted anywhere from €25 to €50 depending on the length of grazing period, grass quality, fencing etc.
Remember that under the requirements of the Areas of Natural Constraint the person declaring the lands on the Basic Income Support for Sustainability must maintain control of the lands and therefore cannot rent it out on a short term temporary basis. They can however, take in livestock as described above. Remember to check if notification is required of the movement – see www.farmersjournal.ie for more.
Pre-housing management: Where possible lambs which will be finished indoors should be trained in to eating meals prior to housing. Where lambs are showing no interest in meal, then adding lambs accustomed to feeding or a ewe to a group will help to encourage lambs to eat quicker.
More palatable rations with molasses or cooked / crunch feeds can be used to encourage lambs to eat before returning to a high-energy ration or pelleted concentrate. There will inevitably be some refusals or shy eaters and some may need to be moved to allow greater access to trough space.
Mineral supplementation: The action of mineral supplementation of ewe post-mating is a commonly selected choice in the Sheep Improvement Scheme. Minerals administered must provide cover for at least 60 days post-mating with post-mating defined as the day that rams are joined with ewes.
Where more than one mating date is in place this should be recorded in the scheme action booklet.
Sheep can receive mineral supplementation in advance of breeding with the focus to ensure that the 60-day period is covered by whatever mode or modes of supplementation is offered. Supplementation may take the form of bagged mineral feeding stuffs (dry minerals), mineral blocks, drenches and liquid minerals, injectables or boluses or feeds with an appropriate mineral content.
With lick buckets, it is important to note that the required number of lick buckets based on the recommended daily feeding guidelines must be purchased irrespective of whether ewes are consuming them. The product must also state that the product is suitable for ewes / adult sheep and specify a duration of cover. Farmers must record the date on which supplementation commenced, the number of ewes in the group, the method of supplementation used, the product name and rate of administration.
The Department recently released an advice note to farmers advising them to take care when administering boluses as there have been some reported cases of mortality due to damage incurred to sheep’s throats in the administration process.
Temporary grazing: There have been some questions over the last week about the cost of temporary grazing agreements. There hasn’t been a massive amount of prices reported to-date but those that are have been similar to last year. Ewes are being quoted a cost ranging on average from 70c to €1/head per week. The higher cost is in cases for reseeded or dry ground and also possibly with some supervision of livestock.
There are also quotes back to 50c/week where ewes are quickly running over an area to clean off paddocks and fencing is required by the livestock owner. While deals on a per acre basis are quoted anywhere from €25 to €50 depending on the length of grazing period, grass quality, fencing etc.
Remember that under the requirements of the Areas of Natural Constraint the person declaring the lands on the Basic Income Support for Sustainability must maintain control of the lands and therefore cannot rent it out on a short term temporary basis. They can however, take in livestock as described above. Remember to check if notification is required of the movement – see www.farmersjournal.ie for more.
Pre-housing management: Where possible lambs which will be finished indoors should be trained in to eating meals prior to housing. Where lambs are showing no interest in meal, then adding lambs accustomed to feeding or a ewe to a group will help to encourage lambs to eat quicker.
More palatable rations with molasses or cooked / crunch feeds can be used to encourage lambs to eat before returning to a high-energy ration or pelleted concentrate. There will inevitably be some refusals or shy eaters and some may need to be moved to allow greater access to trough space.
SHARING OPTIONS