New Year’s Resolutions for Farmers
Type Media Article
By Bernie Leahy, B&T Drystock Adviser, Teagasc, Galway/Clare
The Chinese New Year coincides with the Lunar Cycle which began with the first full moon on 25th January and finishes with Lantern Festival on 8th February. For the typical sheep farmer the spring lambing period fits in well with this ancient festive tradition. Like our Chinese counterparts, it’s not too late to act on new year resolutions for managing the sheep flock.
It is interesting to note that in the EU we are only 85% self-sufficient in sheep and goat meat supplies and according to Tim Keady, Teagasc Co-Ordinator of Sheepnet.ie, “if EU sheep farmers were to increase ewe output by 0.1 lambs/ewe, the EU could become 92% self-sufficient in sheep meat”.
Whilst Swine fever has resulted in a very welcome bonanza to Irish pig farmers since its arrival in China in August 2018, the Chinese market is open for cheaper cuts of lamb and offal. Australian forest fires have resulted in one billion farm and wild animal deaths. Supply chains in New Zealand will be under increased pressure as suppliers. New Zealand, Australia and South American suppliers may not be able to sustain their normal markets hence creating new opportunities for Irish Meat exports. Sheep farmers can improve lamb output per ewe by improving lamb survivability and reducing lamb mortality.
Body Condition Scoring and scanning ewes work hand in hand. Ewes should be separated earlier on by BCS so she can be given preferential treatment. Scanning is a must to separate out singles from twins and triplets. This can be done up to 80 to 90 days post ram turnout.
When do you start feeding your ewes?
- In this mild growth winter don’t be fooled into lack of feeding. A ewe will produce “off her back” first and making up for condition lost in this way could result in losing the ewes to conditions such as Twin Lamb Disease, Milk Fever and Grass Tetany.
- Despite a good grass growing year in 2019 any doubts about the nutritional value of silage should be erased by silage sampling. €36 doesn’t seem too much in calculating protein and energy levels to be fed to ewes mid to late lactation.
- 1 Body Condition Score equates to over 10% of a mature ewe’s weight and it takes 6 to 8 weeks of “heavy” feeding to increase a BCS by 1 unit.
Energy:
In late pregnancy the ewe’s rumen capacity is reduced. 70% of the lamb’s growth takes place in the final 6 weeks of pregnancy. Because of this silage intake is reduced. Concentrates are needed to fortify a ewe when her roughage intake is reduced. Gradually increase concentrate level starting with minimum of 0.3kgs upwards according to BCS and silage digestibility .It is preferable to feed twice if feeding higher levels i.e. above 0.5kg/hd/day, to avoid digestive upsets.
Research has shown that in silage of 70% DMD, a 70kg ewe carrying twins will only need meal feeding from 5 weeks before lambing. 20kgs of meal over 5 to 6 weeks is sufficient. In contrast 60% DMD silage will need meal feeding of over 40kgs per ewe and for a longer period.
Protein:
Crude protein requirements per day for a ewe increase four fold four weeks before lambing from 113g per day to 420g in early lactation. Silage at DMD 70% will need a ration with CP levels 16-18 % whereas poor quality silage of 60% needs ration of 21% CP.
Soybean meal is a rich source of protected protein and is digested in the ewe’s intestines. The amino acids from these proteins bring about good udder development and milk production.
Pregnant ewes should have at least half of the protein in concentrates from soya bean meal.
Minerals and vitamins should be included at 2.5% of ration fed.
Colostrum Quality:
Teagasc National Farm Survey results showed that up to 68% of farmers used artificial Colostrum partially whilst 9% used it as a Colostrum source only. Colostrum is a vital source of immunoglobulins which a lamb needs to survive in his first few hours. Spare supplies milked off a ewe having excess or from a ewe that has lost a lamb should be stored in a clean bottle and frozen. Cow’s milk collected in the same way is a very good alternative. Colostrum should be thawed gradually in warm water to avoid damage to these vital immunoglobulins. Artificial Colostrum is the 3rd choice.
Hygiene at Lambing:
Management practices which favour less infection such as navel dipping with iodine, clean stomach tubes, clean tail docking e.g. ringing, clean bedding, clean water supplies, hand washing facilities (including hot water access), liming of bedding areas are very basic ingredients in determining new-born lambs survival in its first three days of life.
Vaccinations:
If farmers are in the unfortunate position of suffering losses due to abortion, immediately isolate ewe(s), contact your Vet and send remains to the Vet Lab to identify source of infection. The main causes of abortion are Toxoplasmosis, Enzootic Abortion. It is never too late to take prompt action under Veterinary guidance. In relation to Clostridial diseases, the second vaccination must be given to the ewe for full protection to lambs and booster injections administered each year.
Dates to watch out for:
Sheep Census Forms 2019 - These had to be submitted by 31st January 2020. Online submissions can be made up to 14th February 2020. To set up your own PAC Number, contact: AgFood Registration Helpdesk on 0761 064424.
Sheep Welfare Scheme - This Scheme is continuing for 2020 and existing applicants do not have to reapply. New entrants can apply in 2020 by emailing sheepschemes@agriculture.gov.ie
A series of Teagasc Lamb Mortality Workshops are currently running around the country. Contact your local Teagasc Office for further information.