Containment Feeding Sheep

Containment feeding of sheep has again been widely used in early 2020, as low rainfall limited pasture growth over summer. Overall results have been very positive, with minimal issues being reported. Good management practices and attention to detail, underpin these positive outcomes.

Nutritional management has been key to maintaining healthy and productive ewes, kept in confinement. The increased use of quality fodder, mostly canola hay, has reduced the incidence and severity of digestive issues and minimised the number of shy feeders (and other poor doers). The use of feed testing has also become more common, allowing the more precise allocation of feed resources, based on actual energy and protein content. This has enabled producers to manage stock condition to maximise conception and potential lambing results.

Many clients have joined in drought lots this year and thus far, the scanning results have been very good. Those lambing in autumn have also had good lamb marking percentages. This is partly due to the delay in grazing, which allows the pasture to generate more biomass for lambing. This increase in feed availability at lambing leads to greater lamb survivability.

One large benefit of containment feeding is the efficiency gained by having all stock in one area, allowing for much easier feeding, monitoring and water checks. Water availability has also been an issue during summer, with it being much easier to supply water to one location, rather than having to transport water throughout the entire farm.

The benefits of containment feeding areas also extends beyond the livestock. Retaining ground cover on crop and pasture paddocks, reduces the loss of topsoil via wind erosion. It also increases rainfall infiltration and reduces evaporation, leading to better utilisation of rainfall and potentially greater crop and pasture production.