As the seasons shift from fall to winter, sheep producers are now focusing their efforts on ensuring a successful lambing season. Effective management of bred ewes is crucial for a positive and prosperous outcome. With healthy market prices for lambs, it's essential to turn towards meticulous winter preparations, particularly in terms of feeding and overall ewe health.
Key steps in this process include -
Evaluating hay supplies
Producers should verify if they have sufficient hay to sustain their flock through the winter months. Adequate hay stock is vital for ewe nutrition and overall health.
Body condition assessment
Regularly assessing the body condition of the ewes is crucial. Ewes that are below the desired condition should be separated and given supplemental nutrition to meet their increased needs during mid and late pregnancy.
Pregnancy checking
Through pregnancy checking, farmers can identify not only which ewes are pregnant but also estimate the number of lambs each is carrying. This information is essential for allocating feed resources effectively, particularly for ewes expecting multiple lambs.
Shearing and hoof maintenance
Organizing a shearing session before lambing helps in maintaining ewe health and hygiene.
Shearing time is also opportune for hoof maintenance. Each ewe can be checked and treated individually, ensuring their mobility and comfort.
Diet Balancing
Including essential supplements, ensuring a balanced diet for the ewes, inclusive of necessary salt and mineral supplementation, is fundamental for their health and the health of the developing lambs.
Lambing Pen Preparation
While the immediate focus is on ewe care, it's also important to start thinking about setting up lambing pens. Preparation in advance ensures a smooth and efficient lambing process.
These preparatory measures, covering everything from nutrition and health assessments to shearing and pen setup, are essential for a successful lambing season. For sheep producers, the time to act is now, laying the foundation for a healthy and productive lamb crop in the upcoming year.