Sheep

Careful management of fodder supplies is vital. In out-wintered hill flocks the first priority should be to hold in reserve a quantity of the best roughage available (preferably hay) should it be necessary to feed the flock during adverse weather.

Clamp silages and big bale silages should be analysed for quality. Be wary of the feeding value of big bales made from salvaged hay crops - it could be low in feeding value. Silages that are poorly fermented with a high pH can present a high risk of Listeriosis when fed.

When feeding silage reduce wastage by only providing what the sheep will quickly clean up - do not allow silage to go stale.

Body condition score ewes, group them according to score and feed accordingly.
Ewes should be in the following good condition score at mating:

Ewe condition should be maintained during the first month of pregnancy. Providing ewes were in good condition at mating a maximum weight loss of 0.5 of a body condition score can be tolerated during the second and third month of pregnancy. During the last two months of pregnancy good feeding is important.

Target condition score at lambing:

The quantity of forage (hay or silage) needed to overwinter the ewe can be reduced by substituting concentrates for part of the forage requirement. This practice must however be economic - your Beef and Sheep Development Adviser (for details see inside back cover) can assist you to consider various feeding strategies. A good quality concentrate, preferably around 12.5MJ/KG DM with an appropriate protein level to suit the forage and the stage of pregnancy should be the aim.
Consideration on home mixing depends on the quantity required, the cost of the straights, whether you have your own barley or not and the labour available. Often the advantages of using straights are ruled out if only small quantities are needed.

High energy feed blocks can be a convenient, palatable source of energy and minerals particularly during /periods of low grass availability and or poor pasture quality. They are labour saving and can provide a beneficial source of energy and protein during tupping or lambing. Feed blocks tend to be expensive per unit energy or protein compared to meal and there may be a large variation in the amount each ewe consumes.
Always check the ingredient list and energy content, as there is a wide variation in block composition.

(Source: SAC feed programme)

(Source: SAC feed programme)

Note
(1) Concentrate contains 16 percent crude protein.
(2) Concentrate should have a minimum of 12.5 MJ/KG DM and a crude protein of 18 percent.
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