Adequate minerals and feed need to be provided to ensure survival of ewes through lambing.
Central West Local Land Services (LLS) district vet, Erica Kennedy, Nyngan, said they are definitely seeing mineral deficiencies, particularly in ewes around three weeks out of lambing.
“Often they go down with lambing sickness or pregnancy toxaemia,” Ms Kennedy said.
“With lambing sickness, they will be dull and stand there. You can walk up and they don’t move or blink. They are energy deficient.
“To differentiate between the two, sheep with low calcium levels knuckle their back feet and try and get away from you but their muscles aren’t working properly.”
It is important to put salt and calcium out, whether it be in a dry lick or lick block, so all stock have access to it.
“I have spoken to some producers and they have said in normal years you put a lick block out and it will be there in five years time, but because there is such little feed left in the paddock, stock aren’t getting enough calcium and salt and hand feeding is occurring, stock are chasing it,” she said.
Accessibility to these supplements needs to be considered.
“I would advise one access point per 150 head of sheep or 50 head of cattle,” she said.
Producers should contact their LLS office or district to know what is happening in their areas as different regions will be suffering from different problems.
“A major problem is still the fact animals are not getting enough feed to meet requirements,” she said.
