Sheep producers are advised to assess ewe body condition at weaning to maximise flock performance and profitability. Checking body condition score (BCS), alongside teeth, feet and udders, at weaning rather than waiting until tupping gives farmers time to correct any nutritional shortcomings before breeding.
Ewes that are under target condition can then be grouped separately and managed to improve performance, says Alison Bond, technical services manager with livestock nutrition specialist Rumenco. Routine monitoring at key stages is essential to avoid large fluctuations in condition, which can have lasting consequences for productivity, she says.
Cost-efficient
The advice comes as farmers prepare breeding flocks for autumn tupping. Addressing poor condition immediately after weaning is more effective and cost-efficient than delaying intervention until later in the season, she says.
“Weaning at 12 weeks is a good target, when lambs should be in the 25 to 30kg bracket and will be taking very little milk from the ewes,” says Dr Bond. “There will of course be a focus on the lambs’ readiness for market at this stage, but it is equally important to put a hand across the ewes to assess their condition. In the case of lowland flocks, any ewes with a BCS below 2.5 at this stage really need to be prioritised or they will struggle to reach the target of 3.5 by tupping.”
Nutrition
“These poorer condition ewes should be grouped accordingly and put onto the better available grazing and will need the appropriate supplementary feeding.”
Supplementary nutrition can help ewes regain condition during the two to three months between weaning and tupping, says Dr Bond. Minerals, vitamins, trace elements, energy and protein all play a role in supporting body condition and forage utilisation.
“Readily available minerals including selenium and zinc will help with key areas such as udder and foot health while vitamin B12 (thiamine) is also included to combat any risks of cobalt deficiency. Offered from weaning onwards, this will give the ewes lacking condition the best chance of being at an optimum stage when the tups go in around two to three months later.”
Production cycle
Research increasingly highlights the importance of maintaining target body condition scores throughout the production cycle, rather than attempting to correct deficits shortly before breeding, says Dr Bond.
“Ewes in optimum condition at tupping are known to have more lambs at scanning, healthier lambs at 48 hours after birth, and heavier lambs at eight weeks of age. It affects the whole production cycle, and not just one element, and is ultimately one of the biggest factors affecting flock performance and profitability. The aim should be to maintain condition between 2.5 and 3.5 throughout the cycle, avoiding big spikes and dips, and that is best achieved by routine monitoring at key stages, including weaning, and adapting feeding accordingly, supplementing where necessary.”