Having ewes and tups in optimal condition for tupping forms the basis of profitability for both lowland and hill sheep farmers. A fact that has only been exacerbated by record lamb prices and projected higher costs to rear replacements this year.
Ewe efficiency is directly linked to profitability and can be impacted by the following key performance inhibitors:
- Overfeeding or underfeeding
- Insufficient ‘flushing’
- Presence of untreated parasites
- Poor health
- Incorrect breed type for system
- Persisting to breed from poor ewes
- Tup infertility
Farmers with ewes in the right condition before, during and after tupping will experience greater production next year.
Condition, flush and maintain
First priority in achieving ewe efficiency is supplying energy and protein in the right amounts and at the right time to achieve good condition. Start monitoring target body condition scores (BCS) early, splitting thin and over-fat ewes and feeding energy and protein accordingly.
Recognised BCS targets to work to are:
- Lowland sheep: 3.5
- Upland sheep: 2.5 – 3.0
Managing BCS through grazing is the most cost-effective method but can be a challenge so late in the growing season when grass quality and growth start declining. It’s important to plan grazing to give fields adequate rest.
Tupping grazing management guidance
| If overfat | If hitting target | If thin | |
| 12 weeks pre-tupping | 2 – 4 cm sward | 4 – 6 cm sward | > 6 cm sward plus supplementation |
| 10-14 days pre-tupping | 4 – 6 cm sward | 4 – 6 cm sward plus supplementation |
If any ewes are still below the optimum BCS two to four weeks before the tup goes in, flush ewes with increased feeding levels to help stimulate greater ovulation and scanning percentages. Note that the flushing period for lowland sheep should be slightly shorter than that of upland sheep to avoid the hill ewes getting overly fit.
Flushing is essential if grass growth has been poor and if ewes have encountered some stress. For example, the extreme weather changes that have been encountered in some parts this season.
It’s critical to not rely on solely on flushing. Compare it to competitive marathon runners who simply won’t perform to their optimum if they only start training in the weeks before. Like ewes, they need a more sustained period to get in the right condition before the big event.
After tupping, grazing and supplementary feeding should be offered at a maintenance level to support embryo and foetal development. Be sure to not let this drop off.
From tupping to lambing, it is also vitally important that ewes have access to sufficient levels of minerals, trace elements and vitamins. It is highly likely that autumn grass will not meet heightened requirements, and supplementation will be required.
What supplements are essential at tupping?
Minerals, trace elements and vitamins are critical to all body functions – reproductive, respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, muscular, nervous, and skeletal.
- Macro minerals – calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, and manganese.
- Trace elements – copper, zinc, iodine, cobalt and selenium.
- Vitamins – vitamin A, B, C, D, E and K.
In the majority of cases, grass and forage will be short in one or more of these nutrients, all collectively vital at tupping time. Some key elements include:
- B vitamins – cell function and optimum fat, carbohydrate and protein metabolism.
- Cobalt – foetal production and lamb vigour after birth.
- Copper – development of the foetal lamb, with a deficiency in pregnancy raising the risk of swayback in the newborn lamb.
- Iodine – normal foetal growth and development, with deficiencies increasing the risk and rate of abortions.
- Manganese (together with zinc) – synthesis of bone, teeth, and hormones.
- Selenium – foetal growth and immunity, with deficiencies compromising conception rates and contributing to lambing challenges.
- Vitamin A (together with zinc) – immunity through both production of antibodies and through maintaining an adequate barrier to infection with healthy skin cells.
- Zinc – sperm production and quality as well as antibody production.
Correct supplementation from tupping and through pregnancy will have a definite positive impact on lambing rates, lamb survival, and lamb weaning weight.
Cost-effective and sustainable supplementation can be defined as overcoming any deficiencies in the base diet without an oversupply. Undersupply will compromise production, and oversupply will bypass what an animal can absorb or even cause toxicity. Sufficiency is key.
Which form of supplementation is right for you?
Crystalyx Extra High Energy is suitable for all grazing situations, its controlled intake levels as a result of the cooking process provide increased digestibility of forage. Ewes with a higher BCS at lambing rear heavier lambs.
Independent university studies have clearly shown that ewes fed Crystalyx Extra High Energy at grass throughout the flushing and tupping period:
- Gain condition and liveweight faster than on good grass alone (+2kg extra liveweight in 6 weeks)
- Ovulate more eggs to increase lamb numbers at scanning (+11-20% in UK studies)
- Conceive faster to the ram, significantly shortening the lambing period (22 vs 49 days in a Crystalyx Research Study conducted by Aberystwyth University)
- Typical Crystalyx intakes are 40-60g/ewe/day (4-7p ewe/day)
Continued access to Crystalyx has also been shown to help maintain better ewe body condition in mid-pregnancy by improving nutrient intake when forage availability and quality declines.
It’s pretty conclusive that supplements play a vital role in balancing grass and forage to drive performance at tupping on any system. A cost-effective and sustainable supplementation strategy hinges on determining the forage status and corresponding it with what is required by the animal to meet performance targets. Work with your vet, nutritionist, SQP and/or a supplementation specialist to establish your strategy in good time before tupping.
5 factors to consider when choosing your feed lick
If your ewes are in need of a complete form of supplementation, feed licks are a great option. It is, however, important to consider the factors that can impact on how cost-effective a feed lick is:
1. Moisture levels
Some blocks can contain as much as 20% moisture, water dilutes the nutrients of the block and compromises its structural integrity! All Crystalyx feed licks are made with a unique manufacturing process that drives moisture levels down to 2 – 3%. They are proven to last up to 3X longer than some other blocks, making them incredibly cost-effective to feed.
Moisture content also has a knock-on effect on intakes, nutrient composition, and weatherproofing…
2. Consistency
Some feed licks can be too easy for sheep to gorge on, so expensive excess intakes are a risk. All Crystalyx feed licks have a hard consistent crystalline structure that promotes a ‘little and often’ consumption without oversupply.
3. Content
Feed licks vary greatly in their nutritional composition, with sugar being one of the most critical components at tupping time when sugar levels in grass drop off. Crystalyx Extra High Energy contains 38% sugar, supporting energy needs and digestive efficiency through feeding the rumen bugs.
4. Weather-proofing
Tupping time often sees increased levels of rainfall compared to the early to mid-summer. If water or moisture penetrates below the first few millimeters of the feed lick, the content can become too easy to consume. All Crystalyx feed licks are fully weatherproof which ensures the product does not degrade or break up in bad weather.
5. Research
The only way of really knowing how effective and efficient a solution is, is through independent research. Crystalyx boasts over 25 years of extensive independent research from around the world.
For example, research at Newcastle University and Kansas State University confirms that Crystalyx increases forage intake by 15% and forage digestion by 10%.
Increased feed intakes and digestion is key in ensuring that ewes reach the correct body condition score quickly before mating with the ram. Over fat or thin ewes take longer to come on heat when rams are turned in, and the oestrus period is erratic with fewer eggs shed and are thus more likely to be barren.
