To feed or not at lambing?

By Bruce Watt
July 26 2018 - 2:00pm
Bruce Watt, who is a regional veterinarian with the Central Tablelands Local Land Services, has some strategies farmers can use to avoid mismothering during dry times.
Bruce Watt, who is a regional veterinarian with the Central Tablelands Local Land Services, has some strategies farmers can use to avoid mismothering during dry times.

Sheep producers face (or faced) another difficult choice this season; continue to feed their ewes during lambing, risking mismothering or stop feeding, risking the health and performance of their ewes and lambs. Substantial research has been conducted into reducing lamb mortality. It shows the importance of the early bond between ewe and lamb. Ideally a ewe will stand and groom her lamb(s) immediately after delivery, will help the lamb to nurse and will spend over four hours with the lamb at the birth site. This process cements that bond. If it is disrupted, such as when the ewe bolts to the feed trail or heads for the self-feeder, mismothering can occur leaving the lamb vulnerable to starvation, exposure and predation.

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