Feeding & Nutrition
Permanent pasture forages are maximized from May 1st to October 31st through intensive rotational grazing. Pasture species are selected to suit the soil types. Species include Reed Canary, Perennial Rye Grass, Orchard Grass and Brome. Legumes are Alfalfa and White Clovers. Each field has access to the water by a ¾” PVC umbilical pipe with taps and quick couplers spliced in. New pastures are direct seeded without a cover crop providing a clean pasture to wean lambs onto. Snacker feeder provides grain/mineral supplementation at pasture as required. Catch crop stubble turnips are planted between pasture seedings and between second cut haylage and corn on the cropping land.
Winter feeding
Winter feeding is primarily corn silage/haylage stored in bunks or ag bags. Quality Sheep has a custom mineral mix, fed daily, which has been specifically tailored for the higher phosphorus levels in the corn silage. This mineral also includes monensin and additional selenium plus fortified vitamin E levels. Ewes, just prior to lambing and in early lactation are supplemented with by-pass proteins, yeast and grain according to needs. Lamb feeding starts with 20% at 2 weeks of age. After weaning, the ration is proportionaly stepped down to 13% protein when lambs reach 90 lbs. Ewe lambs are taken off this system at 65 lbs. and either put on good pasture plus 1 lb of 13% ration per day or fed the twin ewe winter laction ration.
Local custom operators are used for manure spreading, and haylage/corn silage harvesting. Specialized sheep services are also used for shearing and ultra sound pregnancy scanning.
