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For more information, please contact the FeedLine on
01278 444829 or email info@molevalleyfarmers.com.

Sheep Management Tips

  • Sheep feedingEwes - feed between 0.25-1.5kg per day = 25kg-70kg per season (depending on breed and lambing percentage).  Early lamb – 50 - 80kg per head in total.  Late lamb – 10 - 25kg per head in total
  • When feeding concentrates, no more than 450g should be given in one feed
  • Rationed concentrates require 45cm of trough space/ewe
  • Silage feeding requires 15cm of trough space/ewe
  • Pen area should be a minimum of 1.5 square metres per ewe
  • One person per 250 housed ewes
  • One lambing pen per 8 ewes
  • If housed, each ewe must have a minimum of 1.2 sq. metres of floor space
  • Each ewe will drink up to 10 litres of water/day when lactating

Energy requirements:

Dry              10MJ/day
Mid Preg    12MJ/day
Late preg   18MJ/day
Lactation    30MJ/day

Protein requirements:

Sheep need a balance of proteins.  Their requirement for DUP increases and they are at greatest need of protein during lactation.  Their protein intake needs match energy release.

Remember:

Monitor ewe body condition

Early identification of any ewes that are losing condition means they can be separated for extra feeding. It is much more efficient to prevent body weight loss at this time, then utilise the body reserves in late pregnancy and early lactation.

Forage crops sheep feedAim to maximise forage utilisation

Get hay or silage analysed and take advice on optimum feed levels – don’t just blindly feed what you’ve always done; the chances are you can improve performance and make savings.

Target supplementary feeding

Use body condition (and scanning if done) to identify those ewes in need of preferential feeding.

Choose supplements carefully

Cheap concentrates are a false economy. As a general rule the higher priced products in a range provide the best value for money. Ask what ingredients are in the concentrate and look for quality sources of energy and protein.

Plan ahead

Now is a good time to check your health plan. For example, don’t get caught out by liver fluke – check with your veterinary surgeon if you are not sure if you need to re-treat ewes pre-lambing. Get your vaccination policy set up to include Bluetongue protection and review your worming policy ahead of lambing.
 

 


Contact us at MVF if you need more help >>

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