A key component to achieve your target ewe survival, lamb survival and lamb growth rates over lambing is feeding ewes to maintain a Body Condition Score (BCS) of three. 

Lamb survival decreases five percent and lamb weaning weight decreases six percent for every half of BCS below BCS of three at lambing¹. Ewes with twins or triplets lose BCS if they are forced to graze grass covers below 1,200 kg DM/ha (grass height of 3.5-4 cm) in the final three weeks of pregnancy, and are also ingesting more parasite larvae. Another key component is a pre-lamb animal health plan to maximise ewe and lamb survival and performance. Vaccinating ewes two to four weeks prior to lambing with Lifeguard® 5 in 1 protects both ewes and lambs against economically important infectious clostridial diseases. Improving ewe survival by just 0.2 percent covers the cost of vaccination. 



For ewes experiencing significant parasite challenge, drenching pre-lamb can optimise lamb growth rates and ewe weights to weaning. Worm infestations in both ewes and lambs impact on lamb  vigour and growth through compromised liveweight gains and reduced lactation. Protect your most vulnerable ewes and get their lambs off to a better start by drenching them with Cydectin® Long Acting Injection for Sheep, a long acting highly effective drench four to eight weeks prior to lambing. Trial work has shown that poor condition (BCS of 2) twin bearing ewes treated with Cydectin Long Acting Injection for  Sheep were 3.2 kg heavier at weaning  and produced lambs which were   2.6 kg heavier than those from untreated ewes. This is equivalent to production gains from drench capsules². Cydectin Long Acting Injection for Sheep offers producers a fully effective drench with flexibility and extended worm protection against the main worm species. Delivering a pre-lamb drench not only protects ewes, but in combination with a strategic grazing program, allows you to manage worm burdens and pasture contamination throughout and beyond lambing.

Where ewes are less compromised, for example good condition twin bearing ewes on low pasture covers or poor condition single bearing ewes, a long acting drench may not be justified or cost effective. Eweguard® conveniently does two jobs in one injection; it contains both a six in one vaccination and offers medium term worm protection of up to 35 days. Field trials have shown that ewestreated with Eweguard were 2.2 kg heavier at weaning and weaned lambs were 2 kg heavier than lambs from untreated ewes³. A strategic annual pre-lamb plan, along with addressing feeding, condition score and animal health optimises the health of your ewe flock and sets your lambs up for success from the start.

For more information on developing a targeted pre-lamb programme, contact your local PGG Wrightson Technical Field Representative.

ARTICLE SUPPLIED BY ZOETIS

¹Beef and lamb NZ. (2013). Ewe body condition score handbook.

²Bingham, C. Hodge, A Mariadass, B. (2017). Comparison of two long acting pre-lambing anthelmintic treatments on the productivity of ewes in low body condition. New Zealand Veterinary Journal

65 (3), 152-155.

³Zoetis data on file.