Preparing For The Onset Of Lambing Season
Lambing season is one of the busiest times of the year for sheep farmers. Good preparation in the weeks leading up to lambing can help support ewe condition, lamb survival and a smoother season on the farm.
For most New Zealand sheep farms, lambing takes place outdoors, so preparation is about having the right feed, paddocks, shelter and equipment ready before the first lambs arrive.
Have An Action Plan Ready Before Lambing
A little preparation can make a big difference once lambing gets underway.
If your ewes have been pregnancy scanned, use the results to help plan feeding and paddock allocation. Ewes carrying twins or triplets have greater nutritional requirements and may need priority access to the best feed and shelter.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand recommends identifying triplet-bearing ewes around four to six weeks before lambing so they can be given priority access to high-quality feed. Read more about feeding triplet-bearing ewes.
The MPI Code of Welfare for Sheep and Beef Cattle also recommends giving multiple-bearing ewes priority for feeding, shelter and management during the final six weeks of pregnancy and through lambing.
Pay attention to ewe condition and nutrition
Good nutrition during late pregnancy is essential. As lambs grow, the ewe’s nutritional requirements increase, particularly for multiple-bearing ewes.
Body condition scoring can help identify ewes that need additional feed before lambing. Ideally, ewes should be in good condition going into lambing rather than trying to put condition back on at the last minute.
Pasture should be the foundation of the feeding programme where possible. If pasture supply or quality is not enough to meet requirements, supplementary feed can help fill the gap.
Our Farm Sheep Feeding Guide has more information about feeding ewes throughout the production cycle.
Sharpes Multifeed Nuts and Pellets can be used as a supplementary feed for sheep alongside pasture or silage. The appropriate amount will depend on your pasture, ewe condition and overall feeding programme, so introduce supplementary feed gradually and adjust as required.
Choose your lambing paddocks carefully
Good paddock selection is particularly important when lambing outdoors.
Look for areas with:
- Good pasture cover
- Natural shelter from wind and rain
- Suitable terrain
- Easy access for checking stock
- Protection from particularly exposed conditions
Where possible, give your best lambing areas to ewes carrying multiples or those lambing earliest.
Shelter is especially important for newborn lambs. Small and multiple-born lambs can lose heat quickly in cold, wet or windy conditions.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s lamb survival resources provide further information on the role of nutrition, shelter and management in improving lamb survival.
The MPI Code of Welfare also requires sheep giving birth to have an environment that protects newborn lambs from reasonably expected weather conditions that could compromise their welfare and survival.
Get your lambing kit ready
It is much easier to deal with a difficult lambing when you are not searching for equipment at the same time.
Keep your essential supplies together and somewhere that is easy to access.
Your lambing kit may include:
- Iodine or suitable navel disinfectant
- Clean gloves
- Veterinary lubricant
- Clean towels
- Lamb covers
- Tube feeder
- Suitable colostrum supplies
- Syringes and other essential equipment
Make sure any medicines or veterinary treatments are used according to veterinary advice and the product label.
Be prepared for vulnerable lambs
The first few hours of a lamb’s life are critical.
A newborn lamb needs to breathe, stay warm, receive colostrum and establish a strong bond with its mother.
Cold weather, difficult births, mismothering and inadequate colostrum can all increase the risk of lamb losses.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand highlights the importance of getting lambs up and drinking quickly, particularly in challenging weather conditions. See their lamb survival resources.
MPI also recommends that every lamb receives colostrum as soon as possible after birth, preferably from its own dam.
If a lamb is weak or struggling to suckle, having suitable colostrum and feeding equipment on hand means you can respond quickly.
Prepare for the weather
Spring weather in New Zealand can be unpredictable. Before lambing begins, think about how your flock will cope if conditions turn cold, wet or windy.
Check that your lambing paddocks have adequate shelter and that farm tracks, gateways and access points are usable in wet conditions.
Having a plan for difficult weather means you can focus on the animals when conditions change.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s information on lamb survival also highlights the importance of shelter and appropriate paddock selection, particularly for vulnerable lambs.
A successful lambing season starts with preparation
There is no single lambing system that works for every New Zealand farm. Climate, pasture supply, stocking rate, scanning results and farm layout all influence how ewes should be managed.
But the fundamentals remain the same: good ewe condition, adequate feed, suitable lambing paddocks, shelter and being prepared for the unexpected.
Taking the time to prepare before the first lambs arrive can help give your ewes and lambs the best possible start to the season.
For advice on supplementary feed for your flock, contact the Sharpes team to discuss your requirements.
