By Steven Turnbull, Davidsons sales manager

Countdown to lambing is again under way and while forage stocks appear plentiful, they are of variable quality and require analysis to ensure a correct feed is provided to compliment the required ration.

We have found many forages are low in energy due to the initial dry spell followed by a lot of wet weather causing grass to shoot and head quickly. Protein levels are inconsistent partly due to age of grass, variety of the grass type and when it was cut.

With the optimal dry matter (DM) being around 30%, the forages we have seen again have a wide range with some very wet and others on the dry side which will inhibit intakes either way.

To maximise sheep outputs and profit, it is important to select a complimentary compound feed that will enhance forages available and farm system.

Energy is the most important nutrient an animal needs to function and is often the limiting factor in sheep diets. A formulation with good levels of barley and wheat is desirable, however maize would be the preferred choice. Maize provides the highest energy from a starch source and also bypass starch for optimum rumen absorption.

Protein is derived from two sources that is required by the in-lamb ewe, rumen degradable (RDP) and digestible undegradable protein (DUP). Ewes have a daily requirement for RDP which is readily found in forages, it is used by the rumen microflora to reproduce and then some of them are swept out into the small intestine for digestion. This is called microbial protein and is vital for ruminants. It is imperative that the microflora has sufficient degradable protein in the diet, forages low in protein require supplementary quality RDP which can come from a compound to meet the animals requirements.

It is also essential, especially the closer to lambing, that the ewe's diet contains high levels of DUP which passes through the rumen unaltered and is absorbed in the intestine.

Soya bean meal and a protected soya, like Scotsoy provides the highest levels of DUP on the market and are essential that they have a high inclusion in the ration to ensure quality colostrum and milk quantity is produced by the ewe.

With rising costs being seen across all raw materials but particularly in proteins, Soya values at well over £400/t could see formulations reducing or removing soya to cut costs. Particular attention should be paid to where soya is placed on the list of raw materials on a feed spec label.

The high price of protein sources may lead to some feed companies using urea as a protein source. Urea is around 300% crude protein, but importantly compared to soya and other protein sources, contains no DUP, energy, starch, sugars, fibre, minerals or vitamins.

A tiny inclusion can result in a huge percentage of the crude protein in the diet coming from this unpalatable, man-made protein source. The Feeds Directory states that only 0.01% of protein in a ewes diet from the feed should come from this source, so urea and starches that have been treated with a urea substance should be used with caution. (Wesley N. Ewing, The Feeds Directory, 1997)

A ewe's ration should contain a quality fibre source to aid slow digestion which is vital for rumen function. Sugar beet pulp would be the finest fibre which also brings high levels of sugar in the diet. It has also has been found to reduce the incidence of prolapse in the in-lamb ewe as the slow rumen digestion keeps her content with less need to gorge on forage.

During the current period of high feed prices, low nutritional value raw materials may start to find their way into ewe diets. For example oat feed/husks, while they do have a feeding value although be it very low – can be used as bedding for cattle – do your ewes really get the nutrients from a compound feed containing these type of ingredients? The nutrient value of raw materials does not increase just because the alternatives are more expensive than normal.

Finally, a good quality vitamin and mineral package should be included in the compound. High levels of vitamin E and selenium are important for health and immunity.

Protected selenium in the form of highly bioavailable seleno yeast Alkosel, is included in all Davidsons ewe feeds along with high levels of vitamin E. Alkosel improves selenium transfer into milk and colostrum, leading to higher selenium intake by lambs. B vitamins, B1 and B12 are important especially in the pre-lambing ewe when rumen function is often not optimal. They are involved in energy metabolism and are therefore vital to the ewe and lamb for survivability and growth.

For the health and performance of your flock, great attention and detail should be taken. Study the diet being offered to you for your in-lamb ewe. No one should purchase a product without looking at its makeup – lambing is a once a year event, and the condition of ewes and their performance at this crucial time can be the difference between a profitable sheep enterprise or a loss making operation.