StockMins-EweLamLac HE Trial
An independent lambing supplement trial was conducted where the performance of single bearing ewes and their lambs, offered a traditional supplement of Causmag®, Lime and Salt (CLS) from late-pregnancy to early-lactation, was compared to single bearing ewes and their lambs offered StockMins-EweLamLac HE (ELL-HE) over the same period.
Key Points:
- StockMins-EweLamLac HE saw a 3.3% increase in the number of lambs weaned
- Lambs were an average of 6.1 kg heavier at weaning
- Ewes were an average of 4.8 kg heavier at weaning
- Based on this trial, supplementing with StockMins-EweLamLac HE resulted a net increase in returns of $16.50 per head*
The control flock (228 ewes) and the trial flock (197 ewes) were offered CLS and ELL-HE respectively in free-access tubs for 14 weeks during the lambing period (4 weeks pre-lambing, 6 weeks lambing and 4 weeks post-lambing). The average live weights of all lambs and ewes were compared at scanning (ewes only), lamb marking and weaning. Lamb mortality data was collected on a daily basis. These measurements were used as key indicators (KPI’s) of flock performance throughout the 182 day trial period from scanning to weaning. The trial was conducted by Anthony Shepherd from Sheepmatters in Cootamundra, NSW.
Results
3.3% More Lambs Weaned
The flock offered CLS recorded a total of 18 lamb mortalities(7.89%), with a weaning percentage of 92.1%. In the flock offered ELL-HE, a total of 9 lamb mortalities (4.57%) were recorded resulting in a weaning percentage of 95.4%.
Average 6.1kg Heavier Lambs at Weaning
Lambs were weaned 35 days after weaning. At weaning, lambs from the flock offered CLS averaged 24.1kg/hd. The lambs from the flock offered ELL-HE averaged 30.2kg/ha at weaning, a recorded increase of 6.1kg/hd or 25.3%.
Average 4.8kg Heavier Ewes at Weaning
During the lambing period, ewes supplemented with ELL-HE had an average of 702kg DM/ha available for grazing, while CLS ewes had 750kg DM/ha. Despite lower feed accessibility, ewes supplemented with CLS lost an average of 11.2kg (20%) body weight from scanning to weaning, while ewes supplemented with ELL-HE lost an average of 7.1kg (12.5%) body weight over the same period.
What do these results mean?
Giving single bearing ewes access to StockMins-EweLamLac HE significantly improves lambing performance against all key performance indicators (KPI’s):
- Improved weaning percentage
- Higher weaning weights
- Greater weight retention in ewes
Talk to your local AGnVET production advisor
Product Summary: StockMins-EweLamLac
Lambing Feature: Boost Lamb Survival During Lambing
For more information contact your local AGnVET Services store
