Reducing the seasonality of prime lamb production

Abstract

Lambing part of the national lowland flock in April to late May has potential to reduce the seasonality of supply and extend the season for prime young lamb. This would, potentially, enhance ability to maintain and increase market share for Irish lamb. A farmlet system was operated over two years, with some 50 ewes on 4 ha of pasture. The objectives were: to assess the overall performance of a flock lambing in mid to late April : to monitor lamb growth rate and drafting patterns for lambs; to determine the changes in feed demand over the season; to identify any saving in feed costs, and any difficulties that may arise with late lambing. The feed demand over the grazing season differs from normal March lambing. A grass surplus tends to occur in April/May and a deficit in November/December, and this imbalance between supply and demand increases if lambing is in late May. The balance between feed demand and supply may be more easily achieved where sheep are combined with cattle or tillage. Results show that a late-lambing flock can be managed successfully on an all-grass farm. If lambing takes place from mid-April to late May, some lambs will finish off pasture in September/October. Remainder can be finished indoor on silage with concentrate supplementation for sale in October to February. Lambing from mid-April onwards allows ewes to be at pasture for 4 to 6 weeks pre-lambing and concentrate feeding to ewes pre or post lambing should not be necessary. However this saving on concentrate input is offset by the need for concentrates to finish lambs. Lamb growth rate on pasture to weaning will be somewhat lower than with March lambing, due to deterioration in pasture digestibility in mid-season. A high standard of grassland management is critical to maintain pastures leafy, in order to achieve high lamb growth rate pre and post weaning. Profitability will depend on supplying niche markets with younger lambs at premium prices.