The importance of ewe nutrition in late pregnancy was the focus of a series of talks held across the Westcountry recently.

Organised by Cornwall Farmers, the five events across Cornwall and Devon saw hundreds of people learn more about how feed and management planning are key to the growth and survival of ewes and lambs as well as for a farmer’s profitability.

Vitally important to the industry, attendance at the annual talks has grown by 40 per cent on last year, as more and more farmers strive to learn how to cut costs while improving animal welfare and profitability.

George Hext, agricultural commercial manager for Cornwall Farmers, said: “We organise these events to give farmers the most up to date information available to help and support them in the pre-lambing season. This is especially important this year as there has been so much more grass available, making for fatter ewes, which could cause problems when delivering larger lambs.

“If farmers don’t get the management, breeding and feeding of their animals right then it could have a real impact on their business and livelihood.”

In the last few weeks of pregnancy, protein is vital for both the growth and health of lambs and ewes. To help with this, farmers heard more about how they could save time and money by feeding their animals Digestible Undergradable Protein (DUP).

By switching to this feed, George added, a farmer would see real benefits, with the use of DUP boosting lamb survival rates and reducing the loss of immunity to worms by ewes.

Rumenco’s Rumevite GrazeDUP feed block, which is sold by Cornwall Farmers, the leading supplier of products and services to the rural community, was also praised as a ‘step forward in sheep feeding’ as it allows supplementation of silages and grass without wastage.

Bringing a lifetime of industry knowledge to the talks, was keynote speaker, Dr John Vipond. The widely respected sheep consultant has been involved with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) for 40 years and shared a wealth of know how and experience of the sector.

Dr John Vipond, BSc (Hons),PhD, FRAGS, Senior Sheep Specialist, SAC Consultancy, said: “I am interested in harnessing better sheep welfare through correct breeding and feeding, which saves time, saves money and saves lambs.

“It is time we bring together lots of ideas around feeding, management and breeding to address the problems of low productivity.”

During the events, Dr Vipond, spoke about the importance of producing better quality silage alongside supplements with a very low cost of production. This approach focuses on the problem of reducing lamb mortality rates, which can hit profitability for farmers.

He added: “With this approach, farmers also save money on product costs as they are not buying huge amounts of feed for their animals. By using this type of feed, ewes are also improving their milk supply, which in turn also reduces lamb losses by passing on a stronger immunity to disease to their lambs.”

Jeremy Oatey of West Antony Farm near Torpoint, said: "A significant proportion of Cornish sheep flock owners were represented at Cornwall Farmers Ltd sheep meeting at Jamaica Inn on Monday 11th Jan. John Vipond from SRUC gave a very detailed and clear talk on the importance of DUP for breeding ewes pre and post lambing. As a consequence I will be trialing the new Rumevite Grazed DUP block on my early lambing ewes this Spring."

Representatives of Rumenco, The Big Sheep, Nettex, Bimeda and Volac also discussed new and innovative products, key to successful lambing at the events, which were held in Bideford, Launceston, Kingsbridge and Plymouth.