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Ewe Lactation and Lamb Finishing - South Island
Ewe Lactation and Lamb Finishing - South Island
Ewe lambing, lactation feeding and lamb finishing are the final important feeding periods of the sheep production system. It is important to note that breeding units and lamb finishing will not always occur on the property. They can often be described by two distinct periods:
PRE-WEANING SYSTEM
The breeding unit will often try to maximise the carrying capacity of the capital ewe flock to maximise the numbers of lambs at weaning.
The success of this system is often linked to the production potential of spring conditions.
While planning and farm management plays a major role in a successful season, grass cultivars and forage choices can greatly influence this late winter and early spring period.
Mid heading ryegrass
- Samson and Reason AR37 or AR1 as well as early heading tall fescue such as Hummer and Haven have a significant influence on feed supply through September and October
Late heading ryegrass
- Legion AR37 or AR1 can be used in general sheep systems, having excellent density for periods of set stocking and winter grazing. Legion has a good spring growth habit with low aftermath seeding in summertime helping with pasture quality into autumn
Legumes and herbs
- Relish red clover and Ecotain® environmental plantain have been proven to greatly influence weaning weights and ewe body condition at weaning
Lucerne
POST-WEANING FINISHING SYSTEM
This system can occur for a property with the land type and scope that can maintain a finishing system post weaning. This can include farms with a capital ewe flock or it can be farms that trade in lamb finishing through summer, autumn and winter.
The extent of this system’s profitability can be vulnerable to the buying and selling margin of the store stock. Forage quality and timeliness of forage supply often define the success of these systems.
High-quality new pastures
- Often considered finishing pastures, these will have significant legume and herb content in their first 2-3 years
Herbs and legumes
- Choice chicory is a productive option in the summer and may also include Relish red clover and Attribute white clover, which can last for at least 2 years
- Ecotain® environmental plantain, Relish red clover and Attribute white clover provide both summer and autumn/winter feed options for finishing
- Relish red clover and Emblem white clover provide an option for summer and autumn finishing
Summer brassica
Excellent options for high liveweight gain potential through hotter summer months and come in many different starting date options
- Hunter forage brassica is ideal to start grazing 6-8 weeks from sowing
- Mainstar forage rape, 10-12 weeks from sowing
- Spitfire forage rape, 13-14 weeks from sowing
- SovGold kale can provide useful winter feed crops, however early sown crops can be grazed early with sheep to manage stem height and maximise utilisation
Lucerne
- In dryland environments, Torlesse and Titan 5 lucerne are very effective as post-weaning finishing crops
AUTUMN SOWN WINTER FINISHING OPTIONS
- Mohaka AR37 or AR1 hybrid ryegrass has a role in short term high-quality pastures that may last 2-4 years and are ideally mixed with Relish red clover, Brace white clover and Ecotain environmental plantain
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Manta LE or AR37 Italian ryegrass demonstrates very strong establishment and winter growth, peaking in performance through late September until the end of its first summer. Manta has a particularly strong second winter growth habit which is productive and highly visual. With its strong establishment, Manta is ideal for undersowing into thinning or run-out pastures
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Jivet annual ryegrass is an ideal early autumn sown option for winter lamb finishing especially useful in a short rotation when the paddock is planned to be sown in crop the following October
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