Post Partum

Question 1

Lambing Nutrition and Lactation Management:
Importance:

Answer 1

• During lambing, the ewe must provide high-quality colostrum and continuous milk supply for lambs until weaning at 14-16 weeks.
• Post-lambing, energy demand increases rapidly, with ewes needing 28MJ-32MJ of energy in the first month.
• Energy and protein requirements are high during lactation, with crude protein needs approximately doubling compared to late pregnancy.

Question 2

Challenges and Considerations:

Answer 2

• Transition from conserved forage and concentrates to fresh grass can upset ewes.
• Physiological shift from non-lactating and pregnant to lactating can stress ewes.
• Nutrient demand during mid-lactation is intense, requiring ewes to mobilize tissue reserves.
• Energy intake often lags behind energy demand, necessitating mobilization of body reserves.

Question 3

Nutrient Requirements:

Answer 3

• Energy requirements peak in the first month of lactation, then gradually decrease to pre-lambing levels.
• Protein requirements are high throughout lactation, with mid-lactation needs approximately 350g/day.
• Ewes must maintain body condition score (BCS) from mid-pregnancy to have reserves available for lactation

Question 4

Managing Nutrient Deficiencies:

Answer 4

• Minerals like calcium and magnesium are crucial for optimal performance.
• Calcium deficiency can lead to milk fever, particularly in older ewes.
• Magnesium deficiency, or grass tetany, is lethal if untreated, often occurring during peak lactation.
• Cobalt and copper deficiencies can impact lamb health and vitality, while iodine deficiency affects embryo and fetal development.

Question 5

Feeding Management:

Answer 5

• Daily Dry Matter Intake (DMI) peaks around week 7 of lactation at 3.3kg/day.
• Adequate reserves are crucial at lambing, as ewes will be in a negative energy balance until they increase their DMI.
• Lamb growth is highly efficient from milk yield; predicting milk yield from lamb growth rate can be done with accuracy up to 6 weeks.

Question 6

Mineral Nutrition:

Answer 6

• Supplementation of calcium, magnesium, cobalt, copper, and iodine is essential to meet ewe and lamb requirements.
• Over-supplementation can be costly and harmful to animals.
• Pasture quality and grazing management impact mineral intake.

Question 7

Conclusion:

Answer 7

• Optimal nutrition during lambing and lactation is essential for ewe and lamb health.
• Balancing nutrient intake with requirements is crucial for maximizing productivity and minimizing health issues.
• Continuous monitoring and adjustment of feeding practices based on live weight, gestational length, and seasonal effects are necessary for optimal flock management.