Late pregnancy nutrition: energy demand, ration composition and protein source

For the latest OviCast podcast, Ciarán Lynch discusses late pregnancy nutrition with Dr. Tim Keady.

Tim discusses the impact of nutrition on performance in the weeks before lambing and explains the increase in foetal growth that occurs during these final weeks of gestation and the impact this has on the ewe’s energy demand and intake. 

He discusses concentrate price and why it’s essential to examine ration composition when purchasing. Tim expands on this point giving his pick of energy, fibre and protein sources he would include in a ration. 

The discussion moves on to the impact of protein source on performance with Tim discussing the results of trials comparing soya bean meal to alternative protein sources. Finally, Tim explains target feeding rates and what influences this. 

For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page.