Feeding ewes has paid off for producers in decent lambing percentages this year

Lambing is tough when there isn’t a lot of feed around, but here’s why most producers are expecting fairly normal lambing percentages.

Lambing has been tough in some areas.

Conditions for lambing this year have been tough.

And lambing percentages and ewe mortality are expected to be slightly higher than average.

But most producers have been doing everything they can to keep their ewes in good condition in the hope it won’t affect lambing percentages too much.

Victorian Farmers Federation livestock president Scott Young said he was hearing of a lot of different issues with the tough drought conditions, but lambing was always tough when stock had to be fed through lambing.

“Some people are having success feeding during lambing and others have got the ewe and lamb through lambing only for the lamb to be dropped by the ewe later on,” Mr Young said.

However, so far there hasn’t been any reports of major widespread issues.

“The colder and wet weather is concerning and those drought areas have been fortunate to pick up good rain, but it has come right in the middle of lambing for lots of people.”

“It is definitely a lot harder to lamb down when there is no ground cover.”

Mr Young said he expected lambing percentages to be down on previous years.

Lambs are being fed to get them through winter.

The Livestock Vet, Jane Gaussen from Poolaijelo said there was such a spread of lambing dates in western Victoria and southeast South Australia, with some already marking lambs and others just starting lambing.

“My clients have been doing a great job at being proactive and seeking information and making plans,” Dr Gaussen said.

“A lot of producers have been impressed by their ewe survival, they have been quite vigorous compared to what you would expect in tough conditions,” she said.

And Dr Gaussen said that was attributed to feeding them well and making proactive decisions.

“It is nice to see a more positive experience for a lot of people.”

“Feeding has played a big role in ewe health and mothering ability. When a ewe is too light her hunger hormone outweighs her maternal hormone, so if producers can manage the condition score of ewes and feeding is routine, they can expect good outcomes.”

Dr Gaussen said even if trail feeding was carried out, if ewes were in good condition and expecting to be fed, they are more settled and lambs were less likely to become mis-mothered.

Dr Gaussen said producers should keep an eye on ewes and lambs and if something wasn’t quite right they should be proactive and get in touch with their local vet.

“It is better to get a second set of eyes rather than get to lamb marking and not have ideal outcomes.”