Breeding rams may require greater nutritional supplementation than usual in the lead-up to tupping this season, especially in areas where grazing pastures have been depleted due to drought.
So says Rumenco’s Technical Services Manager Dr Alison Bond, highlighting potential deficiencies in key minerals and trace elements, and the usual need to build ram condition at a critical time.
Providing rams with a well-formulated feed and mineral block that supplies quality protein and extra energy, alongside reliable sources of key micronutrients and essential vitamins, will offer a practical and cost-effective solution, she advises.
“Many farms around the country will have endured a shortage of quality grazing this summer and in some cases this will have impacted on ram nutrition,” Dr Bond points out. “Whether rams have been underfed, or supplemented with poor quality forage, the potential for sub-optimal condition as well as deficiencies will be there, and this could impact flock performance for the next year.
“Rams can experience a drop-off in condition of between 1 and 1.5 BCS (Body Condition Score) during a six week tupping period, so they need to be fit from the outset. They also need to have the right levels of the important micronutrients.
“Adequate levels of zinc, for example, are necessary for sperm production, whilst selenium and cobalt are implicated in optimum health and reproductive efficiency. Other minerals and vitamins have key roles in general health and well-being, including immune function, so it is important not to neglect these areas if rams are going to perform to their full potential.”
Dr Bond recommends Rumenco’s Rumevite Sheep Super extra high energy and mineral block as a practical and cost effective solution for the majority of flocks, offered in the lead up to tupping and during the early stages of the breeding season.
“A feed and mineral block is an efficient way to provide supplementation in this context and with Rumevite Sheep Super, Rumenco has developed a proven product that is palatable and provides the key minerals and trace elements with a focus on availability,” she adds.
“The formulation includes fish oil as a source of omega-3 fatty acids, for optimum fertility, and high energy along with natural and urea protein sources which help build condition and supports forage utilisation. A full complement of minerals, vitamins and trace elements help complement levels often found lacking in forages, including a more bio-available form of zinc, which will help support key areas like foot health and sperm production, and boost immune function.”
Dr Bond suggests that sheep farmers will quite rightly be focussed on their ewes in the run up to tupping, but that, this year in particular, it is important not to neglect rams.
“Any drop off in ram performance will have a significant and long lasting impact, which could include reduced lambing percentages, a less compact lambing period, and a greater number of barren ewes.
“Investing in the right supplementation at this critical time may well increase the crop of saleable lambs in 2027, and that will be the key to flock profitability,” she concludes.
