Friday, 27 September 2024 08:55

How to achieve successful lambing

Written by  Staff Reporters
Dr Sue McCoard is a senior scientist for AgResearch. Dr Sue McCoard is a senior scientist for AgResearch.

Lambing is now well advanced around much of New Zealand, including in areas where drought-like conditions are presenting real challenges for farmers, on top of a poor run of prices for their product.

Dr Sue McCoard is a senior scientist for AgResearch who has spent much of her career researching livestock rearing, survival and nutrition, including lambs raised for the meat and dairy industries. With AgResearch colleagues, Sue has produced a Lamb Rearing Guide that is available as a free resource to farmers.

Here, McCoard identifies what the research shows are the five key focus areas for farmers to achieve successful lambing, and good outcomes from early life as those lambs are raised:

It starts with Mum

The research shows that having good nutrition and body condition score for the pregnant ewe is critical to support ewe lactation, lamb survival and growth. Nutrient requirements increase substantially in mid-late gestation and early lactation. Body condition scoring and pregnancy scanning are great tools to support nutritional management to target the right feed to the right animal at the right time.

Environment and shelter

Well-fed ewes have greater reserves to cope with stressful condition (e.g. poor weather) and have stronger more vigorous lambs. Young lambs, especially in the first few weeks of life are particularly vulnerable to environmental factors that can influence their ability to survive and thrive. Requirements vary for lambs that are naturally reared outside to those artificially reared in housed systems (e.g. orphans or lambs in dairy sheep systems).


Read More


Nutrition

Good nutrition is one of the easiest strategies to support health, production and welfare of lambs. Many factors influence growth performance and health of lambs including breed, litter size, colostrum/milk/solid feed quality and quantity, hygiene, and rearing environment (e.g. ambient temperature). Undernutrition, or inadequate nutrition, can impair growth and development including immune function, with lifelong consequences for health, productivity and welfare.

Weaning

In much of the New Zealand, farmers now have lambs on the ground and are turning their attention to weaning (the shift to food other than the mother's milk). The success of transition from milk to solid feed is inextricably linked to both solid feed intake as well as weaning methods. Key driver of weaning success are supporting a well-developed rumen prior to weaning, maintaining high feed quality and quantity, and minimising stress during this important dietary transition.

Animal Health

Healthy lambs start with healthy ewes that are well-fed during pregnancy and lactation. Lambs are born with no natural immunity and therefore rely on colostrum (first secretion from the udder) to provide defence against external pathogens. Implementation of best practice animal health protocols (e.g. vaccinations) and good nutritional management of ewes and lambs are fundamental for good health and productivity. A number of animal health issues can arise in lambs, especially in housed systems. Proactive management to reduce the risk of disease and being prepared to manage if/when they arise is important.

Access AgResearch's Lamb Rearing Guide at: www.agresearch.co.nz/our-research/lamb-rearing-guide/

More like this

AR37 scientist scoops award

A scientist instrumental in the development and commercialisation of the novel endophyte AR37 scooped the Ballance Agri-Nutrients Science and Research Award at Beef + Lamb NZ Awards last night.

Using sexed semen on elite cows

As demand for sexed semen soars, CRV is encouraging dairy farmers to take full advantage of it by using it on the top quartile of their herds.

Udder health survey aims to create value

FIL has launched a new online survey to gain valuable insights into the challenges dairy farmers face in meeting their milk quality and mastitis prevention goals.

Featured

AR37 scientist scoops award

A scientist instrumental in the development and commercialisation of the novel endophyte AR37 scooped the Ballance Agri-Nutrients Science and Research Award at Beef + Lamb NZ Awards last night.

Editorial: Smithfield closure just the start?

OPINION: Rural New Zealand has been taking some very big hits of late. The latest of these, the closure of Alliance’s Smithfield plant at Timaru, is yet another blow for the heartland – the engine room of the economy.

Bolger to rejoin Fonterra

Matt Bolger, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of The University of Waikato Management School, is joining Fonterra’s management team from March next year.

National

A leader among CEOs

Richard Burke, a leading CEO in the primary sector, has departed from a company he's played a huge part in…

Ideal weather for growers

Specialist horticulture and viticulture weather forecasters Metris are reporting near ideal spring start conditions for fruit growers this season.

LIC ready for challenges ahead

Herd improvement company LIC says it's well-positioned for the challenges ahead and remains focused on its core purpose - delivering…

Machinery & Products

Can-Am pushes the boundaries

Can-Am is pushing the boundaries of performance in its Outlander line-up of ATVs with the launch of the new 850…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Trump tariffs

OPINION: Former politicians seem incapable of staying away from the limelight after they retire.

Air Miles

OPINION: The latest travel receipts for MPs are in (April – June 2024).

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter