No Silence in the Farmyards Yet!

Eamon Patten, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Ballinrobe

Lambing of mid-season ewes is near completion on many farms and about to start with the hill and late lambing lowland flocks. Sheep farmers will be wishing for some improved ‘climate change’ in the next few weeks. The weather for the month of March and into April has been very challenging with severe difficulties in getting sheep to grass.

Stuck indoors!

Other than labour the biggest problem in keeping stock indoors is the hygiene situation and trying to minimise the increasing disease challenge, but with recent weather there isn’t much choice. The use of adequate bedding is vital as the bugs build up during the lambing season. Using lime or one of the proprietary disinfecting powders can help with minimising the incidence of scouring and joint ill.

A vital issue when turning out ewes with young lambs into poorer weather is to ensure a good ewe/lamb bond (‘mothering-up’). The aim should be to allow at least 24-hours (48hours is even better) occupancy in an individual pen before moving the ewe and her lamb/s to a group pen or sheltered paddock. With poor weather, the pinch point is usually the number of pens. A target is to have at least one individual pen for every 8-10 ewes. During adverse weather the number of individual lambing pens required should be increased, but, more importantly is to have sufficient group pens where approx. 8 ewes and their lambs can be held for a few days before being turned out to grass.

Grass Supply!

The ultimate goal is turning out ewes and lambs to grass covers that will meet their feed requirements with little or no concentrate supplementation. If there is enough discipline from the farmer with correct closing dates, there should be adequate grass in front of ewes at turnout.  But, with the current weather conditions the question is what happens when the first rotation is eaten?  On more heavily stocked farms the benefits of using PastureBase to record regular grass measurements which gives information that can be used to determine the appropriate stocking rate and even the appropriate lambing date. It also provides an accurate picture of the farm grass covers throughout the year allowing for more informed decision making.

Turnout!

Always plan to turn out ewes and lambs in the morning so that the lambs have time to familiarise themselves with their surroundings before the onset of darkness. Check freshly turned out lambs before nightfall. If ewes and lambs have to go out then consider the following:

1. Turn out ewes with single lambs first.
2. Turn out in small groups in fields with shelter. Try to have some type of shelter or wind break even temporary by providing artificial shelter areas using small square bales of old hay or straw scattered around the field if extreme weather is being forecast. On exposed sheep farms it would be beneficial to plant hedges and trees. If in the ACRES CP scheme it may be possible to avail of the hedge planting NPI in the years ahead if allowed in your area.
3. Put protective disposable jackets on lambs. These generally only last a few days.
4. Only turnout into fields with adequate grass (>5cm) – grass shortage increase the incidence of miss-mothering.

Outside!

One of the most common causes of death in ewes post turnout is Hypomagnesaemia or Grass Tetany as it is more commonly known. The disease is caused by low magnesium (Mg) levels in the blood and if not detected early and treated promptly it is frequently fatal. Prevention is the best medicine and involves some type of supplementation. Poor weather, in particular high rainfall periods, has a negative impact on both the utilisation and intake of available grass as well as a reduced capacity of the ewe to take up nutrients from the grass. Furthermore, inclement weather conditions often leads to ewes seeking shelter for lambs at times they would normally be grazing. There can also be higher mastitis incidence. With the lambs an issue that can arise is Coccidiosis often from soiling and dirt around troughs and feeders, which will be common in this wet weather.

The lambing season can wear you down especially towards the end.  Hopefully the weather will be better over the next few weeks and people can recharge the batteries. Keep in mind it will improve at some stage like the hogget prices this last few weeks!