With lambing almost here farmers need to have strategies in place to achieve good lamb survival from their ewes.
Regular faecal-egg counting is done on the Sinclair’s sheep to determine when to drench. Routine drenching is done targeting vulnerable animals.
Any twin-bearing ewes that are light in condition along with all in-lamb ewe hoggets receive a drench capsule and priority treatment before lambing.
Any twin-bearing ewes that are light in condition along with all in-lamb ewe hoggets receive a drench capsule and priority treatment before lambing.
All other ewes receive a pre-lamb oral combination drench. Both ewes and hoggets get an annual 5-in-1 and salmonella jab while hoggets are vaccinated against toxoplasmosis and campylobacter.
All cows receive a copper injection, a 5-in-1 jab, and a lice pour-on. Any that are light in condition pre-calving are drenched. Rising two- and three-year heifers are also vaccinated against bovine viral diarrhea (BVD).
Weaners are drenched monthly from weaning through to spring with a combination drench. They also receive a copper bullet and a 5-in-1 jab at weaning.
Animal health costs in 2102-13 were $5/su and 13% of farm working expenses.
The judges comments
“What impressed us with Craig and Trish Sinclair’s management was that the farming basics were done very well, with a consistency of high performance across the ewe and ewe hogget flocks for survival, lambing, and growth rates.
"This was all achieved as part of a 9950su farming business with a stocking rate of 12.5 su/ha being run on medium-to-steep hill country.
Their understanding of what their flocks breeding objectives were, and how they achieved these objectives, was also worthy of note.”
