It is widely known that the cheapest feed available is growing in your paddock, and, with an NDF of 38%, 10 to 12 MJME/kg DM and 22 to 26% protein, there’s not much better quality than lush green spring pasture. This is why Spring is the perfect time to finish lambs while the grass is green and actively growing.
Key Points
- Lush spring pastures are the most efficient form of feed available
- Use feed effectively by allocating to growing stock
- Plan feeding activities based on livestock requirements and pasture value
- Containment lots can be effectively used for maintenance feeding dry stock
Generally, spring is the time of the year when producers are running the most stock, and with many crops locked up, pasture or feed allocation can become overwhelming.
At AusFarm Nutrition we recommend trying to keep it as simple, efficient and economic as possible. This means using the green feed where you can get the most return in the shortest time possible, before it matures.
Allocate green feed to growing lambs
In many cases the most return can be gained from your growing animals, weaners, where you’re looking to put on as much weight as possible and get them into the market and off the property.
Conversely, unless your ewes are in a less than optimum condition (BCS < 3), they only need to be on a maintenance diet right up until scanning. In fact, too much condition on pregnant ewes early on can cause difficulties during lambing.
If you’re looking to maximise production and efficiency this spring, below are a few recommendations that may assist in getting the most out of your feed at the lowest cost.
1. Set a growth target
On lush green feed it’s common for second cross and meat breed lambs to average liveweight gain of around 230g/hd/day and Merinos around 125g/hd/day. How many production days at these average growth rates will it take for you to finish your lambs?
2. Understand livestock requirements
Lambs 25kg to 40kg require a balanced diet consisting of 16% CP and as much energy you can get into them as possible. Lambs less than 25kg require higher CP% and lambs greater than 40kg require 14% CP. Livestock also require balanced levels of essential minerals, vitamins and trace elements, with balanced levels of Mg, Na and Ca important for growth.
3. Know the value of your pasture
The two main factors to assess are quality and quantity. Although the value of pasture can change, it is beneficial to periodically test pasture samples to make sure your animals are getting the right amount of nutrition. Pastures begin to mature in late spring, if the value of the pasture drops, back-fill the diet with energy (barley) and protein where required.
Grain supplementation can also help manage quantity of pasture, as grain consumed replaces the reliance on pasture, which can help your paddock feed last longer. If pasture is running at around 2000kg/ha (9 cm tall) and is lush and green you are pretty good for quantity.
4. Use containment lots and effectively
You can free up high producing pastures by moving ewes and wethers onto native pastures or into containment lots and feeding a low-cost maintenance diet (10 MJME/day and 8% CP). Containment lot maintenance feeding is highly efficient and a great way to manage the condition of ewes effectively.
At the end of spring, when pasture decreases in value and quantity, lot feeding can be a good option to finish lambs off well, especially if you can get your hands on an affordable protein source.
How we can help
AusFarm Nutrition’s qualified nutritionists and technical staff can assist you in making your lamb finishing plan simple, efficient and economic through the following services:
- Pasture testing and feed assessment
- Grazing planning and feed allocation
- Feedlot design and management
- Diet formulation and trouble shooting
Spring grazing trial summary
When green feed grazing maximise growth by effectively supplementing with essential minerals, vitamins and trace elements. See trial results below.
