Manage ewes now for lambing success

After a mild fall and hopefully a prosperous breeding season, many sheep producers are turning their attention to lambing season and management of bred ewes.

“A primary concern as we transition to winter months is feed resources and identifying expected grain and forage requirements for pregnant ewes,” said Travis Hoffman, sheep specialist with North Dakota State University and University of Minnesota Extension.

Producers should first evaluate whether they have raised or purchased enough hay for the duration of winter, advised Hoffman.

Other management considerations include assessing body condition scores, pregnancy checking, shearing and hoof maintenance.

Now is a good time to evaluate the body condition of ewes to nip future issues at the bud. Hoffman advised producers to identify and separate ewes that are thinner than preferred. Those animals can then be put on a supplemental diet to help them get caught up physiologically before the increased feed requirements of mid- and late-pregnancy.

Additionally, producers can consider pregnancy checking and estimating fetus numbers. This can help them save feed resources on single-carrying ewes, while providing greater feed resources to multiple-carrying ewes to nutritionally prepare them for lambing.

Sheep producers should also begin planning for shearing, based on when they lamb. Now is a good time to connect with the shearer and determine a shearing date.

Shearing can be a good time to evaluate hoof maintenance. As each ewe is being handled for shearing, take the time to trim hooves for proactive care.