It is commonly known and widely reported that birth weight is the largest determinant of lamb survival, and that foetal growth, milk production and lamb performance are all strongly linked to pre- and postnatal ewe nutrition.1,2
Key Points
- Lamb survival and production is closely related to ewe nutrition
- Increasing lamb survival through boosting ewe nutrition also increases lamb growth
- Supplementing ewes with StockMins-EweLamLac has shown to boost lambing performance by 30% compared to CLS
- In todays market 30% increase in production could mean $40 per ewe
So, focussing on improving ewe nutrition pre- and post-lambing can increase lamb survival and average lamb growth rates at the same time. This means that you can wean more lambs and wean at a higher average weight. This is how you can achieve a 30%, or even greater, increase in lamb production.
As an integral part of lambing nutrition, correcting common perinatal deficiencies in ewes with an effective mineral, vitamin and trace element supplement, like StockMins-EweLamLac, can improve energy utilisation and immunity, boost foetal development and milk production and reduce lambing stress. In doing so, this can have a significant impact on lamb survival and growth and development.
This concept was very well illustrated in a recent independent study comparing single bearing ewes supplemented with Causmag (MgO), lime and salt to ewes supplemented with StockMins-EweLamLac HE pre- and post-lambing. In this study, ewes supplemented with StockMins-EweLamLac HE: Lambing Supplement for Sheep weaned 3.3% more lambs with an average weaning weight of 6.1kg heavier – A combined 30% more lamb production at weaning.3
StockMins-EweLamLac is a weatherproof, granular loose-lick supplement designed to support pregnant and lactating ewes by correcting deficiencies in essential minerals, vitamins and trace elements at times when these elements are in high demand.
StockMins-EweLamLac HE Trial Summary3
Purpose: Compare the lambing and weaning performance of single bearing Merino ewes supplemented with StockMins-EweLamLac HE (ELL) versus a commonly used, traditional mix of 1:1:1 Causmag, lime and salt (CLS).
Class of Livestock: Merino ewes producing Merino lambs.
Number of Livestock: Control Flock (CLS) 228 ewes. Trial Flock (ELL) 197 ewes.
Feed on Offer (Average): CLS – Lucerne 750kg/ha DM. ELL – Lucerne 702kg/ha DM.
Supplementation Period: A total of 98 days (4 weeks pre-lambing, 6 weeks lambing, 4 weeks post-lambing)
Feeding Method: Free access in clean tubs (20L drums cut in half). 1 tub per 50 ewes.
Key Dates: Scanning (15/1/2016). Lamb Marking (10/6/2016). Weaning (15/7/2016).
Data Collection: Live weight of all ewes at scanning, lamb marking and weaning. Live weight of lambs at lamb marking and weaning. Number of lambs weaned
Results 
The Compounding Effect in the Trial
Total lamb production per 100 of CLS supplemented ewes
- 1 lambing rate x 24.1 average lamb weaning weight = 2,220kg of lamb lwt at weaning
Total lamb production per 100 of ELL supplemented ewes
- 4 lambing rate x 30.2 average lamb weaning weight = 2,881kg of lamb lwt at weaning
- Difference = 2,881 – 2,220 = 661kg lwt
- Ewes supplemented with ELL produced 29.7% more lamb at weaning
30% Greater Production Means $40 More Revenue Per Ewe
- In today’s market restocker lambs sell for around $6/kg lwt
- 100 CLS supplemented ewes would return = $13,320
- Average return per ewe = $133.20
- 100 ELL supplemented ewes would return = $17,286
- Average return per ewe = $172.86
- Net benefit of ELL over CLS per ewe = $39.66
What’s the Catch?
The catch is that you supplement pregnant and lactating ewes with StockMins-EweLamLac: Lambing Supplement for Sheep and that you follow the recommended supplementation program.
4 weeks pre-lambing + Lambing Period + 4 weeks post-lambing.
A cost of around $6/hd for the full program or 7 cents/hd/day.
