Sheep nutrition
Because of dense wool, sheep are probably the most nutritionally abused of all farm animals, according to Colleen Sawyer, marketing and extension manager of the Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board.
They can be grossly overweight under their fleece but extreme thinness is more prevalent and harder to detect, she said.
“That’s why a hands-on evaluation of body condition carried out at the appropriate times is the only real way to assess the proper finish on a sheep’s body. You have to actually feel your sheep to know its condition,” she said.
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Because sheep usually carry more than one fetus, their production variation is much more dramatic than that of a cow, said Sawyer.
In fact, cow-calf producers have to learn new skills if diversifying into sheep production.
“Sheep need extra attention in this regard. The management is different, which can be frustrating for cow-calf farmers,” she said.
Sheep nutritional requirements may vary tremendously, depending on the stage of their production.
Many points must be considered. The first is their weight and condition score. They must be the proper weight for their age and carry the proper fat needed for the task.
Sheep producers should also follow nutrition guidelines set out in a publication by the National Research Council called Nutritional Requirements of Sheep. The book is published by National Academy Press and may be ordered through most book stores. It costs about $20.
“Nutritional analysis – feed testing – of your feed on hand is also important. Then, with your sheep’s requirements and your present supply of feed, you can properly balance your ration by adding or substituting the necessary elements,” she said.
Sawyer suggested producers shop around for the best priced protein source, be it barley, canola or soybean meal.
Producers should also consider the sheep’s breed, the market (such as light or heavy lamb), the time of year they are lambing and their land base.
“The nutritionally balanced ration for sheep is determined by the answers to all these questions. There is no one answer for all producers,” she said.
However, one principle is consistent: herd management starts with sound nutrition.
-Saskatchewan Agriculture
