Colostrum is often described as "liquid gold" and as the fuel for life. One secret to rearing healthy lambs, and for future production, is to make sure each lamb receives enough colostrum.
We are all aware of the detrimental effects that heat stress can have on our cows, and are often
quick to run to the cow sheds and collecting yards to put measures in place to mitigate this.
We all know that water is vital for life. It is essential for hydrating calves and for rumen development.
There are many reasons why I’ve seen a lack of water for calves on farm. Situations vary, sometimes not enough water is provided per pen, other times water which is contaminated, and at times no water at all, especially in very young calves.
It is no secret to everyone in agriculture that public perception is putting increasing pressure on running a more sustainable enterprise.
It is fair to say that we have a responsibility to not only be the most sustainably efficient farms possible, but also to publicise and educate the general public.
Milk powder pricing, always topical and emotive on farm (especially if you are part of the Wynnstay Calf & Youngstock Team!), however, it seems even more so at the minute. Milk prices are certainly not on the up and milk replacer prices are doing the opposite and increasing at a steady rate.
During scanning, the results will provide an initial indication of how many lambs are likely to need fostering or artificially rearing. Before lambing starts preparing a carefully planned rearing protocol will be time well spent, since well grown artificially reared lambs will leave an acceptable margin that can be considered a worthy additional income stream.
It’s never too early to be thinking about winter ewe feeding.
The Preparation of lambs for weaning is a vital process to reduce the risk of a growth check during the transition from milk and to ensure lambs continue to thrive. It is therefor important to ensure lambs have access to clean and fresh water; high quality concentrates and a sufficient source of roughage alongside their milk supply. The type of roughage supplied can influence many factors, such as rumen development.
Are your lambs chewing on the teats of your ad-lib milk feeders? Here are a few tricks you can try this lambing season.
Read our top tips!
Managing your ewes effectively in the last eight weeks before lambing is one of the most important stages in the sheep calendar, says experienced sheep consultant Kate Phillips. If things go wrong at this stage the effects will be noticed in the following areas, lamb birth-weight could be low, lamb losses high, colostrum is poor in quality and supplies are below average poor and subsequent lamb growth below target. Thus ensuring the health of the ewe is vitally important.
