Two farmers in the Cotswolds claim their lambing success is down to taking preventative measures early in the season, by focusing on farm hygiene and their ewe’s nutrition.
Tao and Lewie, also known as the Part-Time Farmers, are first-generation farmers who are now in their second season of lambing. Both got started in the sector when they were offered some orphan lambs, and since then, they've been growing their numbers alongside their full-time jobs.
Inside the lambing shed
When they start gearing up for lambing, the farmers take a preventative approach to ensuring their newborn lambs arrive in good health and are able to have the best start to life. This starts with preparing the lambing shed by ensuring harmful bacteria is killed.
Biodrying is one method they use to create optimal conditions for lambing which allows them to maintain a clean, dry, and hygienic farming environment. This involves the natural decomposition and drying of organic material, such as bedding and manure, through controlled microbial activity.
“We’re trying to prevent things like watery mouth and joint ill. It’s just a case of cleaning the barns down and making sure everything is clean and tidy.”
Ewe nutrition
As their flock's nutritional needs increase significantly, Tao and Lewie provide additional ewe nuts to To support their ewes during the final couple of weeks before lambing. This hard feed provides essential proteins, energy, and minerals to support healthy lamb growth and development.
Ewes should have a body condition score (BCS) of 2.5-3.5 at lambing, so feeds are essential for prevening weight loss, ensuring ewes stay strong and recover faster after birth.
Health of newborn lambs
The Part Time Farmers also take preventative steps to ensure risks of infections are reduced. This year, they chose to make the switch from iodine to NoBACZ navel spray for applying to their lambs. By applying the cleansing solution, their lambs can benefit from improved survival rates and weight gains in lambs, offsetting the initial investment of the spray.
NoBACZ's formulation not only disinfects but also, provides a protective coating that remains effective even in challenging environmental conditions. The inclusion of a bitter agent reduces the likelihood of ewe interference, a common issue with iodine applications.
'We've definitely seen the benefits of it so far'
Tao and Lewie regularly shop with StowAg for their lambing supplies, stocking up on essentials like colostrum, rings, and animal health products. They trust StowAg for quality and reliability, ensuring their lambs and ewes have everything they need.