Maximising Lambing Percentage
Tub Tup improves lambing percentage and farm income
A Cheshire father and son team have proved the value of Tub Tup to breeding ewes.
With upward of 960 ewes between them they farm the sheep under the same management regime except for the minerals on offer.
Throughout the year 2004/05 514 ewes (Groups 1 and 3) were given access to Tub SF, a full spectrum mineral, trace element and vitamin tub. The tub also includes very high levels of ‘Smart’ zinc and biotin, the objective of which is to improve and maintain good foot health.
Pre-tupping last year the 960+ ewes were split into four groups, with no particular emphasis on age or breed. Two groups (1 and 3) were given access to Tub Tup, at a ratio of 40 ewes per 30kg tub, one month before the tups were introduced at an average cost per ewe of 68p. The other groups (2 and 4) received no mineral supplement.
Otherwise the four groups were fed and managed on the same regime throughout the period.
The following results were obtained over the four groups, following scanning and subsequent lambing.
Groups 1 and 3 totalled 514 ewes, of those; at scanning seven were barren (1.36%). The remaining 507 ewes lambed a total of 1033 lambs (201%).
Groups 2 and 4 totalled 455 ewes, of those; at scanning twenty-six were barren (5.7%). The remaining 429 ewes lambed a total of 776 lambs (171%).
It is clear that, on this farm, in the ewes given access to Tub Tup, the percentage of barren ewes was substantially reduced and the number of lambs per ewe was higher.
Financially, the improvement was substantial to the enterprise. Groups 1 and 3, which used Tub Tup, dropped an average of 0.3 additional lambs per ewe, which at current mid-market prices, equates to an additional income of £16 per ewe for an outlay of 68p.
Additionally, fewer replacements were required for non-breeding ewes. Not a bad return on investment!
DENIS BRINICOMBE GROUP
Registered Office: Fordton Industrial Estate, Crediton, Devon, UK EX17 3BZ
tel: 01363 775 115 | fax: 01363 772 114 | enquiries@brinicombe.co.uk
Company Number: 4309124 | VAT Registration Number: UK 785 4166 95
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