Palatable feed choice vital for rams as tupping approaches
3 September 2014
As the breeding season gets underway, producers are reminded of the important role that a palatable feed source can play during the tupping season.
Dr Michael Marsden, Technical Manager for Trident Feeds, stresses the relevance of monitoring and maintaining Body Condition Score (BCS) for tups at this time of year.
“The condition of tups should be monitored well before tupping starts. Producers should be aiming for a BCS of around 3.5 at mating,” he says.
“Over fat tups will be lazy and not work at the required rate and thin tups may have difficulty getting ewes pregnant.”
He advises that because a ram may lose 15% or more of their body weight during the breeding season, access to a concentrate supplement diet containing sugar beet feed is important. “This also balances any cereal inclusion in the diet to minimise the risk of rumen upsets at this critical time. It is especially pertinent at this time of year when the quality and quantity of grass is starting to drop.
“Trident Sugar Beet feeds are some of the most palatable feeds available and can be used to tempt tups into consuming the required feed intake, helping to keep high service rates,” he adds.
Ram producer, Paul Slater supports Dr Marsden’s opinion and stresses the relevance of monitoring and maintaining BCS for tups at this time of year.
“I feed sugar beet feed to all my breeding rams and I find that once I get the condition on, it tends to stay on. This is important for rams as tupping approaches,” he maintains.
Find where to buy
Click on the map to go through to find your local merchant.
