Friday, 26 March 2021 08:55

Small window to lift ewe condition

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

Farmers have the next few weeks to lift the condition of their lighter ewes before the ram goes out. Photo: Kieran Scott.

Sheep farmers in many parts of the country have the next few weeks to lift the condition of their lighter ewes before the ram goes out.

Body Condition Scoring (BCS) pre-tupping allows farmers to identify any ewes that fall outside the optimum BCS 3-4. These can be then managed strategically to either lift or reduce body condition.

This could include running lighter-conditioned ewes on priority pasture or forage crops and/or supplementary feeding.

Numerous studies have shown that ewes with a BCS of 3-4 at lambing give birth to heavier lambs, are better mothers, have more milk and wean heavier lambs with a higher survival rate.

To determine the body condition score, place a hand behind the ewe's 13th rib. Using of the balls of the fingers and thumbs, feel the backbone with the thumb and end of the short ribs with the finger tips behind the last rib.

Feel the muscle and fat cover around the end of the short ribs and backbone.

So, what does BCS_3& feel like?

The vertical processes are smooth and rounded; the bone is only felt with pressure. The horizontal processes are also smooth and well-covered; hard pressure with the fingers is needed to find the ends. The loin muscle is full, with a moderate fat cover.

The actual numbers are not as important as consistency, so it is preferable for just one or two people to be doing the scoring.

More information about Body Condition Scoring: https://beeflambnz.com/search?term=Body+Condition+Scoring

More like this

Future-proofing NZ's sheep

Beef + Lamb New Zealand Genetics' Low Input Sheep Progeny Trial is identifying the genetics that will future-proof this country's sheep industry.

Drenching - doing it right

Effective and accurate drenching is important for animal health and productivity. It needs strategic decision making and should be part of a parasite management plan.

Shedding Wiltshire's anti wool appeal

Of all the projects Massey University's School of Agriculture has been involved in over the years, it's never had such interest as it has in its Wiltshire breeding programme.

Trial for low methane sheep

Artificial breeding will play a role in accelerating the transition of a proportion of Beef + Lamb New Zealand's (B+LNZ) commercial ewe flock to a low methane emitting flock.

Sheep and dairy numbers fall

Climate change activists, who believe NZ is going to hell in a handcart due to the methane emissions from the country's livestock population, will be delighted to learn that these numbers have fallen dramatically.