Minimising your losses during lambing season

Well-fed ewes, minimised infection risk and a low-stress operation have been identified as key factors in reducing lamb losses during lambing season.

The Live Lambs project managed by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) has been working with five Scottish focus farmers to identify the best ways of reducing lamb losses.

SAC sheep specialist, Poppy Frater said: “Healthy, viable lambs come from healthy well-fed ewes. Using body condition scoring through pregnancy to maintain ewes that are fit (not fat) is the best start. In late pregnancy, the last four weeks are critical for lamb survival – this is when foetus growth rate is greatest. The ewe needs a high-energy diet, ideally based on good-quality silage, and if forage quality is low, supplement with lowstarch energy feeds such as sugar beet pulp, oats or whole barley.”

Clean bedding has also been identified as a factor in lamb survival, and woodchip and paper waste have been suggested as alternatives to straw.

Ms Frater said a calm lambing environment was important.

“If the ewe perceives the environment to be too dangerous, she will prolong the lambing and this impacts her mothering behaviour and lamb vigour. Routine is key. They do not like change, keep social groups constant and feed at the same time each day. Dogs will add to the stress – keep them out of the shed.”

The Live Lambs project has been working to help reduce lamb losses.