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SHEEP Issue 11
Sheep Market outlook Breeding flock numbers have increased by 2%, resulting in the largest breeding flock since 2006, lamb numbers (under 1 year old) are also at their highest level, 17.2 million since 2005. Looking ahead to 2018, the lamb crop is expected to remain strong, this is likely to increase production when combined with held over store lambs. Lamb slaughterings have remained high, with a greater proportion of old seasons lamb versus new seasons. Industry reports suggest many of the store lambs sold are lighter and require more finishing. Looking into 2018, exports are forecast to remain strong especially if sterling remains at this historically weaker level. The forecast increase in production will support higher availability of goods for export. Sheep meat imports have been lower due to the strength of the New Zealand Dollar and the continued focus on other markets such as, China, Middle East and USA. There is also still a great deal of uncertainty around the impact of Brexit on the UK sheep industry. Producers need to look at the rise in production coupled with declining domestic consumption which will result in the industry having to adapt and grow export market opportunities. With potential for increased pressure on the sheep industry it will be critical to ensure lambs grow as efficiently as possible and meet market specifications. This will be even more important if we look to increase exports in order to deliver a higher value profitable product in a post Brexit environment. Breeding flock numbers
In this issue: Ewe nutrition
2
Ewbol ewe feeds
3
Ewbol lamb feeds
4
Making the most of silage Silage quality in 2017 has been extremely variable across the UK depending on time of harvest. Silage stocks are also proving challenging for some farmers. The key nutritional considerations for this years silage are: - higher dry matter - lower energy - higher protein - higher fibre (NDF) The main silage focus area for sheep farmers this season will be energy, this is a key nutrient pre and post-lambing. Energy is required for good lamb development, milk production and lamb growth. Energy demand is greatest in the last 6 weeks pre-lambing, to ensure no shortfall best quality silage should be kept for this period or additional supplementary feeding considered. Higher dry matter and fibre levels seen in this year’s silages may also limit intakes pre-lambing, careful attention is required to minimise the risk of ewe health issues, such as twin lamb disease. Big differences in silage quality can be seen from the top and bottom 25% results in the table below. Understanding your silage quality will allow you to put together the most cost effective feeding plan. You can choose a concentrate with the most appropriate energy and protein level and also target feed in late pregnancy. Silage analysis is a quick and simple process that gives you a better understanding of silage quality, make sure this is something you consider this season. Silage analysis results 2017
Source: Defra, AHDB
2016 Average
2017 Average
2017 Bottom 25%
Dry Matter (%)
46.7
48.7
53.6
46.5
Protein (%DM)
12.2
12.3
9.57
10.60
Energy (MJ/Kg DM)
10.19
10.08
11.2
13.5
NDF (%DM)
53.9
54.9
60.8
49.5
Source: ForFarmers
2017 Top 25%
Ewe nutrition Key times for ewe feeding
Energy (MJ)
2
Key nutritients Energy
Vitamins, Minerals & Trace Elements
Energy is critical for lamb development, ewe condition plus milk yield and quality. Variable quality forage will be one of the biggest factors affecting the amount of additional energy required from concentrates (see below).
Correct vitamin, mineral and trace element supplementation is key in the last 6 weeks pre-lambing. This is when demand from the ewe and growing lamb is highest and cannot be supported from forage alone.
Weeks pre-lambing Top 25% BB grass silage Twin bearing ewe Bottom 25% BB grass silage Twin bearing ewe
-6
-4
-2
0
18% Concentrate (kg/day) 0.25
0.40
0.65
0.8
18% Concentrate (kg/day) 0.35
0.60
0.90
1.2
+7 kg /Ewe - +0.7 tonne/100 Ewes
Protein Protein quantity and quality is essential for lamb growth and milk yield. Rumen degradable (ERDP) and by-pass (DUP) protein requirement will increase with lambing percentage and poor quality forage.
ERDP
- Balance poor quality forage - Maximise forage digestion
DUP
- High quality colostrum - High milk yield
It is important to focus on the following for excellent ewe and lamb performance:
Vitamins
Vitamin E - improves lamb vigour and survival
Minerals
Calcium - prevents lambing sickness (hypocalcaemia) pre-lambing Magnesium - prevents ‘staggers’ (hypomagnesaemia) post lambing
Trace elements
Selenium - improves lamb vigour and survival Cobalt - encourages lambs to stand and suckle Iodine - reduces the risk of hypothermia Zinc - reduces the risk of mastitis and lameness (ewe)
ForFarmers Ewbol ewe feeds Select the right product Selecting the right compound feed is important, this will help maximise lambing percentage, lamb survival and growth rate. The Ewbol range is formulated from a number of high quality raw materials to provide the correct nutrients (energy, protein – ERDP, DUP) for all lambing systems.
1 2 3
Form1
System
Protein
Mineralised
Key Features
Sheep Master
Nut & roll
Traditional
18%
Addarome
Ewbol Excel
Nut & roll
Traditional hill/upland
18%
Addarome
Ewbol Quality Ewe
Nut & roll
High performance
18%
Super Ewbol
Nut & roll
Very high performance
20%
Addarome
Protected fat
Harvest Balancer2
Nut
Home mix
24%
Addarome
Amm. Chloride
Multistock Balancer3
Pellet
Home mix
30%
Addarome
Addarome
– contact you local account manager for bag and bulk availability – 50 – 60% inclusion rate with cereals to produce an 18 – 20% complete feed (at selected mills) – 30 – 40% inclusion rate with cereals to produce an 18 – 20% complete feed
Ewbol Key features explained Ewbol products have a number of specialist features, as well as standard nutrients, that improve health, performance and profitability. A unique combination of Vitamin E, Cellguard (anti-oxidant) and bio-available selenium included in all Ewbol feeds. + lamb vigour + health and immunity + lamb survival A rumen specific lives yeast unique to ForFarmers. + rumen health + reducing acidosis + feed and forage digestibility
Addarome
Specialist flavour technology included in all Ewbol feeds. + diet palatability + stimulates feed intake
3
4
ForFarmers Ewbol lamb feeds Select the right product ForFarmers have a full product range that will take lambs from birth to slaughter. Target feeding lambs to achieve the correct liveweight gain or carcass weight for the desired market will improve efficiency and margin. Form
System
Protein
Key Features
Lambcare
Powder
Lamb milk replacer
24%
Prestige lamb
Pellet
Intensive start to finish creep
18%
Amm. Chloride
Quality lamb
Pellet
Traditonal creep mid season feed
16%
Amm. Chloride
Lamb finisher
Nut
Semi-intensive
16%
Amm. Chloride
Express lamb finisher
Nut
Intensive high performance
15%
Amm. Chloride
Lactic acid
Omega-3 fatty acids
Target feeding lambs Target feeding lambs can make a big difference to the market value. Increasing daily live weight gains at key times will allow farmers to take advantage of seasonal prices and better feed efficiency. Understanding lamb performance on different feeds will help with lamb finishing strategies. Lamb Feeding system
Concentrates (early season)
Grazing
Silage
Fodder crops
DLWG (g/day)
350 - 450
100 - 200
~100
100 - 200
FCR (kg feed/kg gain)
~4:1
10:1 – 5:1
10:1
10:1 – 5:1
For more information about Ewbol sheep feeds contact ForFarmers on: Brydekirk 01576 300202 Denbigh 01745 816391 Newcastle-under-lyme 0845 6030571 www.forfarmers.co.uk @ForFarmersUK