Balancing minerals during pregnancy to boost lambing success

摘要

Paying closer attention to mineral nutrition is essential for ewes, especially in the latter stages of pregnancy and immediately post lambing, according to Isabelle England of Trouw Nutrition.“The foundations of profitable lamb production are established in late pregnancy and immediately post lambing. Feeding at this time influences ewe health and milk production, lamb survival, lamb thrift and growth rates,” she says.With grass continuing to grow reasonably well into the winter months across much of the UK, sheep producers may be looking to exploit grass growth and trim back supplementary feeds. Ms England emphasises that diets based on forage alone can be deficientin essential minerals, therefore mineral supplementation may be required to allow ewes to perform to full potential. This can come in a variety of forms, from free access minerals to mineral premixes included in compound feed.