Talerddig Farm Project Introduction
Site: Talerddig Farm, Talerddig, Llanbrynmair, Powys, SY19 7AW
Technical Officer: Lisa Roberts
Project title: Straw bedding options for the lambing shed
Introduction to project:
Cereal straw is undoubtedly the most popular bedding material for livestock. It allows them to exhibit natural behaviour such as foraging, whilst eating and chewing the straw can aid rumination and promote good rumen health. It also has good absorbency and thermal properties. However, price fluctuates year on year, dependant on crop availability. Rape straw is similar to cereal straw, but is less absorbent and behaves similarly to woodchip as it is free draining.
Eilir Jones and family are keen to investigate if there are any benefits of rape straw in comparison to cereal straw on sheep health at housing, particularly on lameness incidence within the flock. The project will also take into account the costs, usage of the different straw types, and also the farm yard manure (FYM) fertiliser value post housing.
Project objectives:
The main aim of the project is to evaluate the difference between cereal straw and rape straw on flock health (particularly lameness incidence), cost of bedding and its value post housing as FYM. This project may play a part in reducing the requirement to treat lame ewes, therefore reducing antibiotic usage on farm.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) set:
- Reduce lameness incidence during the housing period to <5 cases per 100 ewes
- Reduce prolapse cases to <1%
- Reduce lambing losses between scanning and 48 hours post lambing (turnout) to <10%.
Figure 1: In-lamb housed ewes at Talerddig Farm