A5 Q2 Torch Summer Magazine 2024 - Flipbook - Page 14
Ewe & Lamb management around weaning
By Jenny Schmidt BVSc MRCVS
As the 琀椀me for weaning lambs approaches, let’s consider the needs of ewes as
well as lambs. Tradi琀椀onally, lambs have always been o昀昀ered the best grazing a昀琀er
weaning. However, by priori琀椀sing the needs of the ewe, we help ensure more
lambs are born the following year.
It takes ewes 6-8 weeks on excellent grass for a ewe to regain one full BCS. Do
you know how long your ewes will need to return to op琀椀mal condi琀椀on? Ewes
going to the tup in poorer condi琀椀on will conceive fewer lambs. Ewes weaning in
BCS less than 2 are even more disadvantaged, even if they gain enough to meet
targets by tupping 琀椀me.
It might be necessary to have to wean lean ewes earlier to ensure they're at a BCS
of 3 - 3.5 at tupping.
Eight week post lambing checks
Weighing lambs and body condi琀椀on scoring ewes 8 weeks a昀琀er the midpoint of
lambing gives you a snapshot of the ewe’s milk supply, the health status of the
group and forage supply. This informa琀椀on allows forward planning for weaning.
If the ewes have milked hard and are losing condi琀椀on, they will need extra 琀椀me to
get 昀椀t for tupping. Moving weaning forward could have a big impact on the number of lambs she will conceive in the autumn. Aim to have at least 90% of ewes on
or above the targets below at weaning.
