Scanning results point to
Table 2 shows the 2019 scan results for the ewe lamb flock. They scanned at 1.41 which is a big increase on 1.05 in 2018.
The number of barren ewe lambs has decreased from 27pc (27 lambs) in 2018 to approximately 8pc (9 lambs) in 2019. The number of ewe lambs mated in 2018 was 113 compared to 100 mated in 2017. There are 53 ewe lambs scanned with twins. At present Michael plans not turn out any ewe with triplets or ewe lambs with twins. He will rear all these lambs artificially.
In a curious twist the 2018 scan data showed 27 barren ewe lambs (and six barren ewes) while the 2019 scan data showed 27 barren ewes (and nine barren ewe lambs).
DIET FEEDER
Michael purchased a second hand diet feeder in November 2018.
It is an Abbey 10 cubic metre model which cost £6000 sterling excluding VAT. The model purchased is a ‘tub feeder,’ has two side doors and a weight cell.
He is operating it with his MF 148 which cost him about €300 to add spool valves etc. This tractor is operating it successfully.
He had to construct a 600mm high ramp to enable him fill the diet feeder with his existing tractor and loader combination. He used some railway sleepers and gravel aggregate to construct the ramp.
He also had to make some modifications to the feed passage is his older sheep shed to accommodate the width of the diet feeder. Michael is very happy with his investment.
“Feeding is now less physically demanding, the ewes are always very settled, there is much less uneaten silage, I spend much less time in the yard on Sunday and it has allowed me finish earlier in the yard every evening”.
GRASSLAND
While Michael grazed later than intended in 2018 due to store lamb purchases etc. the entire farm was closed by late November/early December.
Because of the mild winter and high soil temperature until mid-January the fields have a grass covers from 5cm to 6.5cm now.
Lambing is due to begin about a week earlier this year on March 10th.
Michael plans to follow what he done in recent years and apply about 30 units of Nitrogen in early-mid February (as one 50kg bag of 18.6.12 and bag of 46pcN Urea per acre). The exact date will depend on ground conditions, weather and soil temperature.
RATIONS
The ewe ration has 10pc Soya at present but this will be increased to 20pc Soya two weeks before lambing. His silage analysis is lower than expected with a DMD of 68.7.
This silage was closed on April 17, cut on May 30, and ensiled on June 1.
It has a DM of 21.6, CP of 14.3, pH of 4.20 and Ammonia of 3.1. The ewes are performing well on it so Michael will test another sample to see if the analysis result is any better.
They are currently being fed meal as follows: singles and doubles 0.19kg/day, the triplets 0.46kg./day and the ewe lambs are on 0.4kg./day. The ewes will be given a Fluke dose next week (Rafoxanide). This follows on from Closantel in the third week of November (and Triclabendazole in the first week of October).
Michael has about 950 purchased store lambs being fed indoors. These are performing well with lameness being the main issue.
John Cannon is a Teagasc advisor based in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, email: john.cannon@teagasc.ie