A little preparation can go a long way in the prevention of problems during lambing season. In order for a ewe to do her job of delivering strong healthy lambs and have sufficient milk to raise those lambs, it is important to provide proper gestation management. Maintaining ewes on a quality vitamin and mineral supplement program prior to lambing through breeding will help ensure she has the proper nutrition to perform.
"During the last trimester, you may consider supplementing with grain to provide the additional energy needed for growing lambs. At lambing, the body score should be between 3 and 3.5. Care must be taken not to feed too much grain early in gestation, and it’s best to make any increases gradual," said Ben Neale, BioZyme Area Sales Manager and livestock nutrition expert. "A leveling out or drop in late pregnancy grain intake can result in pregnancy toxemia and death of any lambs in utero. Conversely, too little grain will produce an undersized, weak lamb with a poor chance of survival."