A recent report on neonatal survival suggests that the nutritional condition of the ewes is crucial to a successful lambing season.
Initial findings from the research project ‘Development of an Integrated Neonatal Survival and Sustainable Antibiotic Plan’ has shown that meeting the ewes’ protein requirements in the run up to lambing results in high blood albumin in ewes. Mortality was seen in lambs with lower total protein concentrations, which tended to be offspring from low blood albumin ewes.
An additional contributing factor to this is the variation seen in the amount of colostrum these lambs are receiving as indicated by total protein measurements at 8-24 hours old. This highlights that providing correct nutrition to ewes prior to lambing season is a key contributor to neonatal survival.
Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) is funding this research in collaboration with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). Th work is led by the University of Edinburgh and partners include University of Liverpool, University of Nottingham, University of Bangor and Synergy Farm Vets.
The aim of the project is to benchmark, define the risk factors for and propose an integrated control plan to improve survival and reduce morbidity and antibiotic use in neonatal lambs and suckler calves in Great Britain, and this work will be achieved in collaboration with vet practices and industry advisers.
Results from the 1st year of research project can be found on the HCC website: https://meatpromotion.wales/en/industry-resources/animal-health-and-welfare/research/neonatal-survival
“Colostrum and hygiene are vital for a successful lambing,” explains Dr. Rebekah Stuart, HCC’s Flock and Herd Health Executive who leads on HCC’s Stoc+ project which forms one part of the three-strand, five-year Welsh Government and European Union Funded Red Meat Development Programme (RMDP).
“Lambs need a sufficient quantity of good quality colostrum within the first few hours of life. In order to provide this, ewes require a diet which meets their nutritional requirements in the final weeks before lambing.
However, Rebekah advises that “the best ration may not attain results if ewes do not have enough feed space. Insufficient feed space can provoke hierarchical behaviour which could restrict dry matter intake. Sheep recognise others in their social group and prefer to be in groups of less than 50, where group size is higher it is recommended to increase feed space, to allow social groups to form and ease stress.”
The RMDP is being funded by the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and Welsh Government.