Keep sheep in good condition – even in challenging conditions – from just 4 pence per ewe per day!
AHDB conducted a study into neonatal survival and confirmed that poor long-term protein status and poor energy balance in late pregnancy (particularly in twins) are linked to elevated lamb losses and poor growth rate.
Relying solely on natures’ resources (i.e. grass) in the long term will cost more than providing the basic levels of supplementation.
Is there a weather risk?
Throwback to lambing 2024. It was one of the wettest lambing seasons experienced by many sheep farmers through the UK and Ireland. With this likely still fresh in your mind, the threat of another wet year is probably high on your radar.
To quantify this, the Met Office reported a significant 27% increase in rainfall in March 2024 throughout the whole of the U.K. With this, the adverse weather impacted all regions and even some later indoor lambers who normally dodge the more challenging conditions.
The Met Office has also reported a gradual increase in rainfall in the months January through to March over the last few years. This year so far shows no sign of exemption, with most parts of the UK and Ireland encountering another cold, wet and windy start. Some parts experiencing serious flooding, and some parts significant snowfall.
Farmers must prepare for the risk of ewe condition loss and lamb life loss, coupled with forage challenges, this year and in the years to come.
Do you need to supplement?
Its common knowledge that maintaining optimal ewe condition in late pregnancy is the key to reducing your risk of twin lamb disease and increasing your chances of a successful lambing period. This becomes even more critical and challenging in adverse weather conditions.
When in optimal condition through late pregnancy, the ewe is more able to grow a strong lamb with healthy brown fat reserves. She is also prepared for birth with the provisions of plenty of good quality colostrum and milk. Both these factors are critical to ensuring the newborn lamb has the energy to face challenging weather conditions without succumbing to hypothermia.
When lambing outdoors or turning-out soon after lambing, there’s an array of grassland management tactics that can help maintain performance in challenging weather conditions. Rotational grazing, providing temporary shelter, and sacrificing areas for protecting feeding – for example. However, to achieve the minimum 12.5 of ME (metabolizable energy) and 12-14% of CP (crude protein), supplementation of some sort is usually required.
What do you need to consider with sheep feeding?
The key to cost-effective supplementation is a constant little and often supply throughout the day. Avoiding peaks and troughs which can create an increased risk of acidosis which can exasperate any forage deficiencies. A feed lick fed a rate required to maintain condition in adverse weather is a practical way of achieving this.
Crystalyx Extra High Energy can be offered from pre-tupping right through to weaning. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just a mineral lick. In fact, arguably the most critical element of Crystalyx Extra High Energy – particularly when the weather is a challenge – is its high energy source.
Here’s a breakdown of the formulation and the key roles of each component in the context of overcoming adverse weather conditions:
| MAINTAIN EWE CONDITION | PROMOTE LAMB GROWTH | |
| Energy
(sugar from molasses for sheep) |
Offers extra energy when forage nutrition is inadequate, and appetites are surpassed due to rapid foetal growth. Stimulates forage digestion and intakes. | Promotes availability of more milk pre-weaning, and supplementary energy post-weaning, filling the gap. Stimulates forage digestion and intakes. |
| Minerals
(calcium, phosphorus, manganese) |
Vital for roles within the body including bone development and nervous system health. | Supports foetal growth and immunity to disease and bacterial challenges. |
| Vitamins
(vitamin A & E) |
Vitamin A enhances night vision in grazing animals and helps to maintain the lining membranes of the eyes and the gut walls. It is also vital to maintaining the efficient function of the urinary tract and the reproductive system. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant, ‘tying-up’ free radicals before they can do any damage, such as white muscle disease and stiff lamb disease. | |
| Trace elements
(cobalt, iodine, selenium zinc) |
Supports immunity and digestion which is particularly essential during times of high pressure, promoting the production of lots of good quality colostrum for the newborn lamb. | Supports the laying down and mobilisation of brown fat for an instant energy source. Required for appetite, energy metabolism, and the production of red blood cells. |
A little extra energy can go a long way!
Research proves that feeding sheep with Crystalyx Extra High Energy:
- Increases forge digestibility by up to 10% and forage intakes by as much as 15%
- Increases milk yield by 7% and milk fat by 12%
- Increases lamb survival at birth by up to 12%
- Increases lamb DLWG in the first 79 days by 5%
- Increases lamb survival to tailing (in triplets) by 5.5%
How does Crystalyx outperform other feed licks?
Crystalyx Extra High Energy is widely recognised as a premium feed lick for sheep, here’s why:
- Dense in energy – Meets energy needs 24-7 with intakes of just 40-60g per ewe per day
- High in sugar – Supplies 38% sugar to support digestion and forage throughput/utilisation
- Low in moisture – Reduces the risk of gorging or breaking up in poor weather
- Highly palatable – Attracts ewe visits, even when appetite is suppressed
- Cost effective – Lasts up to 3X longer than other feed licks
- Consistent in quality – Manufactured using a unique cooking process
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