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Country: UK

Dairy or/and meat sheep: Meat

Source of information: Industry material

Level of solution:

Aim: Planning feed requirements and contingency plans for extreme weather

Description:

• Feed planning will help ensure that the ewe and lamb requirements during priority periods, such as early lactation, are met. Contingency plans for bad weather should be well defined and communicated with staff to reduce lamb losses in poor weather conditions.
• Feed available and stock demands will help the farmer understand how long their feed supplies will last and whether they need to purchase in additional feed or set aside pasture for critical periods
• Farmers should plan regularly, but at least before the beginning of winter to ensure feed is reserved for critical times

Expected benefits: Improved responsiveness to extreme weather

Prerequisites and/or limits (knowledge, training, capabilities, cost, management, facilities, equipment, etc.)

• Farmers need training on how to feed budget and plan effectively
• Communication between farm staff is essential
    

Scientific basis:

Dwyer, C. M., Lawrence, A. B., Bishop, S. C. & Lewis, M. (2003) Ewe-lamb bonding behaviours at birth are affected by maternal undernutrition in pregnancy. British Journal of Nutrition 89: 123-136;

Dwyer, C. M. & Lawrence, A. B. (2005) A review of the behavioural and physiological adaptations of extensively managed breeds of sheep that favour lamb survival. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 92: 235-260;

Dwyer, C.M. (2008) Symposium: Genetic and physiological effects on maternal behavior and lamb survival. Journal of Animal Science 86: E246-258;

Rooke, J.A., Dwyer, C.M., Arnott, G.A, & Rutherford, K.M.D. (2015) The importance of the gestation period for welfare of lambs: maternal stressors and lamb vigour and well-being. Journal of Agricultural Science 153, 497-519;

Dwyer, C.M., Conington, J., Corbière, F., Holmøy, I.H., Muri, K., Rooke, J., Vipond, J. & Gauthier, J.-M. (2016) Invited Review: Improving neonatal survival in small ruminants: science into practice. Animal 10(3): 449-459.

Tips & Tricks:

Potato box for shelter

Lamb feeding box

Heated water troughs

Extended feeders

Expected impacts:

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