Sheep special: Precision pays when producing finishing lambs

In the lambing shed, ewes are split into groups according to raddle colour, scan and BCS, so each group can be fed accordingly on a ‘straw and nut’ feeding system which Mr Harrison introduced.

This sees square bale straw sections put in each pen daily and a 20 per cent protein nut scattered among it on the ground for the sheep to rummage for.

A flat rate is fed to each group, which for twins sees 0.75kg/day of concentrates rising to 1kg/day three weeks before lambing together with 1kg to 1.5kg straw/day.

A proportion of wastage is allowed for in the straw allocation, which is then used as bedding.

“A good quality nut is vital for this system, as this is where the quality is coming from in the ewes’ diet at this point,” he says.

“They root through the straw and eat the more palatable content, and the rest is waste which keeps them well-bedded and clean.”

In pursuit of consistent high flock-health status, the farm has been working with sheep vet, Philippa Page, at sheep veterinary consultancy Flock Health, for the past two years, an arrangement which incorporates two visits per year (pre-tupping and pre-lambing) plus regular communication in-between.

This provides an opportunity to carry out ram health checks, blood testing of ewes to test for iceberg diseases, namely MV, discuss nutrition and ewe condition and generally address any health issues or otherwise which may have occurred during the year.

One idea which arose on the back of these meetings is the purchase of a refractometer this year to measure the protein content of colostrum from each ewe.

“We are always looking for ways and means of making improvements, and for £20 [the cost of the refractometer], it was worth a go,” Mr Harrison says.

“We want the flock to be as healthy as it can be, so it can do its best for us and provide consistent returns.”

Protein content of 22 per cent or above is considered good quality colostrum, explains Mr Harrison.

Any lambs on a ewe with a percentage lower than this receives supplementary colostrum and a dose of spectam, alongside triplets or any special cases.

In-line with a move away from blanket antibiotic treatment in the lambing shed in the past few years, Mr Harrison has also moved away from drenching all the ewes on turnout with lambs at foot.

“Following SCOPS advice, we are no longer treating fit ewes or those turned out with singles,” he says.

“A bit like antibiotic use, it takes a bit of persuading yourself and it is having the confidence to move away from it as an insurance policy.”