High performing sheep flock achieving highest returns per acre

A simple but effective feeding regime has helped William Brown achieve a 200% lambing ratio in his 550 flock of Cheviot Mule and Scotch Mule ewes at Hilton of Culsh, New Deer. This year, two-thirds of his March-born lambs were sold prime straight off

“We are very pleased with the returns from our sheep this year due to the high prices our lambs have achieved,” says Mr Brown. “Most are sold through Huntly mart and selling by auction means we are paid for every kilo of weight which is not always possible selling bigger lambs deadweight because of the cut-off point applied by abattoirs.”



But it is important to achieve a high lambing percentage to have enough lambs to sell and Mr Brown goes to considerable lengths to ensure a high percentage of lambs born and a high survival rate.



“We take away one of the lambs from ewes with triplets and either foster them on ewes with single lambs or rear them on a bucket,” he says. “It is a lot of work but it pays off. Our aim is to keep them lambs moving to get them away at an early age.”



Mr Brown admits his management system at lambing time could not be described as “easy care” and it is a case of all hands on deck – mother, Alfreda, wife, Jennifer, son, John (currently at Oatridge College), and daughters, Morag (14) and Grace (12) – to provide 24 hour supervision.



Ewes are lambed inside and individually penned with their lambs after lambing before being grouped in community pens until the weather is suitable for turn-out.



“Our system is probably only possible with family labour but all the members of the family are keen to help,” he says.



The feeding regime is also important to make sure ewes are in the right condition at lambing time and have plenty of milk for their lambs.



“Once a ewe loses her milk, you never get it back,” says Mr Brown.



Ewes are scanned in January and those carrying triplets are fed 1.5 – 2lb of Harbro’s high-energy Clover Tore Ewe 18 rolls which is stepped up to 2 – 2.5lb and fed twice per day with a snacker from February onwards.



The rest of the ewes start getting feed in February and feeding continues through lambing until sufficient grass is available in late-April.



“We feed the same ration all the way through and the ewes do very well on it,” he says. “The ewes have plenty of milk and the lambs plenty of vigour.”



Clover Tore Ewe 18 contains over 50% Scottish ingredients and is formulated to ensure maximum digestibility and palatability. Feeding a compound is an excellent way of stimulating rumen activity because of the physical form of the ingredients used. This is further enhanced by the ‘rumen friendly concept’ process which is used to manufacture Tore Ewe, where the raw materials are coarsely ground, leaving a grist which stimulates the rumen more effectively. Tore Ewe also includes good sources of digestible fibre to help stimulate rumination.



A balanced supply of high quality rumen degradable and bypass protein - from sources including soya - is added to complement forage protein as feeding excess protein to sheep is not only wasteful but has the effect of using up energy which could be used for growth.



Rumen bypass energy is also included in the form of Megalac to maximise milk production and aid fertility and the feed is supplemented with a full range of high specification minerals, vitamins and trace elements, including enhanced vitamin E and selenium to counteract deficiencies found in many parts of the country. Omega 3 fish oils are included to improve embryo development and vitality.



Grassland management also plays a key role in the management of the flock. Cattle and sheep are alternated year by year to keep the grass free of worms and seasonal grazings are rented from neighbours both in the summer and at tupping time in the autumn to conserve grass.



The flock has traditionally comprised Cheviot Mules bought at Longtown and Scotch Mules bought at Castle Douglas but Texel rams are now being put to the best Cheviot Mules to breed replacement ewes. The Suffolk is used as a terminal sire and the Beltex has also been introduced for hoggs over the past year or two.



Sheep from the flock are regular winners in the commercial classes at the Royal Northern, New Deer, Turriff, Echt, Keith and Black Isle shows and Mr Brown fancies his chances at the Royal Highland Show after judging the commercial sheep at this year’s show.



Other enterprises on the farm include a suckler herd of 120 Simmental cross cows, which are put to Charolais and Simmental bulls with all calves finished on the farm, and a small herd of pedigree Limousin as a hobby.

Thursday, 10 December 2009 5:10 pm