Siamsa Sessions wrote: » Started on 22-Feb this year to try get lambs finished and sold before price drops too much, but going to push back to mid-March next year. The weather obviously influenced the decision, but managing grass and having to feed concentrates also helped us see things differently.
kk.man wrote: » Yes same here 17th March.. the boss man used to say it was time enough... this year he was so right!. Anyone had lambs in Feb etc or earlier must have got cruel hardship and a massive meal bill. Years back I has them in early and that winter and spring was wet not cold or snow like this one. I lost my shirt and had no grass for the cattle. One lesson learned for life.
charolais0153 wrote: » I see a lot of people say that but if the cattle ate the grass instead of the ewes, what difference does it make
stantheman1979 wrote: » We lambed the B-team ( old girls on they’re last year, ewes that have a yellow card prolapse lame etc) on Feb 1st and the main flock 4th March. The early ones are doing really well getting 1lb meal at grass. Not much growth out so main flock getting 1.5lbs. First time in my life I’ve had to give ewes meal after lambing. Sickening!!
stantheman1979 wrote: » How was I in 2013?? I don’t get you!!
charolais0153 wrote: » Well ,it was a similiar enough year . did u manage not feeding the ewes then too?
Dickie10 wrote: » i wouldnt worry to much at feeding meal to ewes with doubles on them. im feeding ewes with doubles once a day and 12 ewes rearing triplets get 0.5 kg morn and evening . lambs have ad lib meal in creep. there on poor enough grass. its a false economy not to throw them meal at this time of year in this weather. keep them moving and thriving and hopefully a lot gone by july 1st. i give sheep the priority in spring as they leave most profit. i finish heifers off grass too but sure they money isnt in them as much so sheep get the priority
kk.man wrote: » Only one hogget left!....delighted but some Spring
stantheman1979 wrote: » 3 yearlings and 20 horny’s but they work away themselves. They’re unbelievable sheep been outside on a bare I mean bare field being checked twice a day and so far 82 of them have 131 lambs only lost 3 between them!! Always have they’re lambs with them.
sheepfarmer92 wrote: » Have a few hornys here too lambed outside, great mothers, father has 170 of them on an outfarm and hasnt lambed a single one yet lost one ewe and 2 lambs only 6 or 7 of them.left, make ya wonder all the work that goes into the main flock of ewes indoors!
Ard_MC wrote: » What type of hornys do ye run? And what you crossing them with?
stantheman1979 wrote: » We’ve 100 mainly Lanark and Mayo crosses and a few Kerry. This is the first year lambing them. Only got them to breed a few mules as were increasing numbers. Crossed with border leicester and belclare rams Finding them very good, tough and excellent mother’s. Will definitely keep more of them next year. Relatively trouble free and have lost a lot less lambs than the ones in the shed who were watched 24/7
