Managing out wintered stock in extreme weather

The severe weather conditions at present have added greatly to farmers normal workload. With the prospect of frozen snow on fields and in hill areas likely to continue for a period of time, steps need to be taken now to ensure that livestock do not suffer in the short term and that production targets are not reduced in the longer term. Out wintered livestock are particularly at risk.

With most sheep outside on field and upland areas and small numbers of cattle either normally kept out or not housed yet, farmers need to take action quickly to ensure that livestock do not suffer unduly.

Cattle should be housed immediately if housing is available and where this is not available they should have access to a hard standing such as a  yard or laneway. Feed hay or higher dry matter silage if available with a target of feeding about 2.5 – 3.0 replace of body weight on a dry matter basis. Where roughage is in short supply feed a concentrate ration with an energy value of 12.5 ME and crude protein of approximately 16 replace. Consult your local CAFRE Beef and Sheep Development adviser for the most appropriate amount to feed.

Sheep outdoors that have been tupped within the last five weeks are at risk of embryo re-absorption due to the stress impact associated with weather conditions and poor access to forage. Ewes need immediate supplementation of hay or high dry matter silage on a daily basis in fields or on the most accessible mountain hill areas. Ewes need about one small bale of hay to 25-30 ewes each day (About 0.7 – 1 KG/head/day) or allow about 5-6 KG of silage per ewe/day.

Ewes could alternatively be fed about 0.2KG of concentrate per ewe per day  (ME 12.5, & CP 16 replace) with slightly more for ewes in poor condition. Make sure that all sheep can feed at once to avoid additional stress (Adequate trough space 45 cms lowland ewe 30 cms hill ewe ) On frozen areas or hard surfaces a snacker feeder could be used and the nut or cob forms being preferable under the present conditions. Feed blocks are an alternative for ewes in inaccessible hill areas. Aim to use good high energy blocks with an ME of 12.5 and CP of at least 20 replace. Use the softer based feed blocks with about one feed block for every 25 – 30 ewes.

Ewes in better body condition (Body score 3.0 or better) will be more able to handle the extreme weather than ewes in lower body score. Give greater priority to the housing of thinner sheep which in many cases tend to be the older sheep in the flock.

Where sheep are normally housed, and adequate forage is available, then housing earlier should be strongly considered.  Housing ewes one month earlier will add an extra £3 to forage costs per ewe. This needs to be weighed up against the costs of continued feeding outside and the additional workload associated with this. Housing earlier would allow for easier management and better control over ewe body condition. This extra feeding may impact your fodder reserves. There are calculators available on the Rural Portal that will allow you to calculate the quantity of fodder in store and the likely feed required for the livestock for the rest of the winter available at: www.ruralni.gov.uk/silagecalculator.

Inadequate ewe nutrition at this crucial time in early pregnancy will reduce lamb numbers next spring. Also ewes will be in poorer condition at lambing affecting their ability to produce sufficient quality colostrum to ensure good immunity to disease and growth rate in lambs.

Acting quickly to improve nutrition and shelter for sheep and cattle outdoors following significant snow fall will help reduce losses and minimise the impact on livestock performance.  It is important to plan ahead and take action to alleviate potential problems which can arise as a result of severe weather!

taking care of stock during winter time