Co Londonderry sheep producer, Jack Robinson, lambs approximately 850 ewes each year from February onwards. The flock also contains an additional 150 ewe lambs that are retained as breeding replacements. All the lambs destined for the commercial market are taken through to finishing weights. Making optimal use of grazed grass is a priority for the business.
The Robinson farm is located in the townland of Tullintrain, close to the village of Claudy. The business is a sheep-only enterprise with the ewes’ divided up into three lambing groups. The strategic use of Crystalyx Extra High Energy feed blocks during the period between tupping and housing has helped to consistently achieve very high conception rates and subsequent lambing percentages.
Jack explained:
“There are three lambing groups within the flock. This year the first mob started to lamb down on February 14, the second grouping followed on March 2nd with the third split projected to commence lambing around March 23rd.
“The first lambers are all Suffolk: Mule crosses. The early March lambers, which make up the largest grouping within the flock, are all Mules while the last group comprises the Lanark horned ewes and the Suffolk: Mule ewe lambs.”
He continued:
“The farm is located in the foothills of the Sperrin Mountains, which is why we keep a proportion of hill ewes within the flock.
“I am very happy with the scanning percentages achieved this year. The Suffolk:Mule ewes recorded a figure of 192% with the Mules coming in at 195%. The horned ewes and ewe lambs recorded a figure of 172%.
“I predominantly use a selection of Texel rams across the flock with the exception of the Suffolk tips that are placed with a grouping of Mule ewes to produce the flock replacement that I need.”
“Most years I will buy in a few additional Lanark replacements.”
Approximately 600 ewes are housed on the Robinson farm around the middle of December with the Lanarks brought in a week before lambing.
The February lambing group is now out at grass. The plan is to get the first of the lambs away around the beginning of May.
The Crystalyx Extra High Energy feed blocks are placed with all the ewes as soon as the rams are taken away.
Jack Robinson again:
“This means the first lambing group have access to the blocks for three weeks prior to housing. But in the case of the Lanarks, they will be fed on a diet and Crystalyx Extra High Energy right through until the middle of March.
“By using the feed blocks in this way, it allows the ewes to make best use of the grass that is available at those hard times of the year.
“The blocks also ensure that the ewes will settle down in lamb after the tups have been removed.”
Crystalyx representative, David Morgan, was a recent visitor to the Robinson farm.
He commented:
“Crystalyx Extra High Energy is a feed block that can be used all year round to provide supplementation for ewes, rams and lambs.
“The blocks are high in protein, energy and with a full complement of minerals, trace elements and vitamins.
“Crystalyx Extra High Energy blocks and forage can be all that’s required to operate a highly effective and profitable sheep rearing system.”
David added:
“Loss of condition in ewes while pregnant will jeopardise placental development and reduce body reserves available for milk production.
“Trials conducted at Newcastle University have found that ewes with access to Crystalyx Extra High Energy feed blocks maintained better condition than ewes on forage alone. In addition, their lambs subsequently had a 5% higher growth rate.”
Demand for Extra High Energy feed blocks has risen consistently across Northern Ireland over recent years.
David continued:
“This is due to the consistent level of performance secured from the tubs. They add real value to the nutrient intakes secured by sheep of all ages and at all stages across the production cycle.”
Jack Robinson secures the Crystalyx Extra High Energy blocks that he needs from his local Fane Valley outlet in Claudy.
He works closely with the team at the store throughout the year.
Fane Valley’s Graham Grieves explained:
“We see a big uptake in demand for the Extra High Energy blocks this year. Driving this has been the very wet weather over recent weeks and flock owners wanting to give the ewes a nutritional boost prior to housing. A significant number of farmers will also keep the blocks with the sheep right up to point of lambing. And, again, this is to ensure that the ewes have that extra nutrition they need in the later stages of pregnancy.”
Want to maximise lamb performance ?
Discover how strategic supplementation with high-energy feed blocks can unlock stronger lambs, and improved flock profitability by contacting your local stockist.
