Best practice in animal welfare is sheep farmer Bradley Stewart’s primary reason for rearing orphan lambs with Sprayfo Primo Lamb milk replacer. Abomasal bloat, which killed up to 25% of the lambs some years, is a thing of the past. The lambs are healthy, weaned earlier and are of increasing value to his operation.
Home to 3,350 sheep, Glencurley Limited is located at Otautau in Southland. Some 6,400 lambs are born annually; Bradley keeps 900 as replacement hoggets and sells the rest. For a second season, Bradley has used Sprayfo Primo Lamb milk replacer in raising approximately 300 orphan lambs.
Here are his reasons:
1. No more abomasal bloat
Sprayfo Primo Lamb from AgriVantage is the only whey-based lamb milk replacer currently available in New Zealand. Non-curding, it contains a ‘safety package’ consisting of an acid mix for a healthy abomasum, Immuno Active+ for a higher level of resistance, Villi Vital+ probiotic for healthy small intestines and a prebiotic for stable flora in the large intestines.
“I heard about Sprayfo for lambs through a friend who had used it with great success” says Bradley. “Animal welfare is something we put first on this farm but even so, we’d lose up to 25% of our orphan lambs to abomasal bloat annually when feeding normal (casein-based) lamb milk powder and cow’s milk. Since switching to Sprayfo, we haven’t seen a single case of bloat.
“In using Sprayfo, we feel we’re doing the best we can for the lambs. That’s important to us.”
2. Faster rumen development
“Sprayfo in conjunction with a good meal system promotes much quicker rumen development” adds Bradley. “Therefore, we’re able to wean the lambs relatively early compared to other feeding systems.”
Sprayfo Primo Lamb milk replacer contains hydrolysed wheat protein, which is proven to have better digestive properties than other commonly used protein sources (such as soy). Therefore, offering a safer option for young lambs.
3. Works well in automatic feeding systems
Bradley has also switched to an automatic feeding system, adding a second automatic feeder this last season. “The feeders save us a lot of time because the lambs feed when they need to. Again, Sprayfo works well in the machines, there’s no issue with mixing and it doesn’t drop out of solution.”
Sprayfo Primo Lamb milk replacer is produced with micronised encapsulated fat for better growth with less risk of scouring, better mixing, better suspension – important when used in an ad-lib feeding system – and less fat build-up in equipment.
4. Support from AgriVantage
Bradley adds that working with AgriVantage has been beneficial to his operation too. “We’ve learned a lot from AgriVantage these last two years; we probably wouldn’t be doing as well without the support we’ve had from Warren.”
AgriVantage Business Manager Warren Tanner makes a point of visiting rearers on farm to provide advice on feeding systems, housing set up and general best practice. He also runs practical rearing field days around New Zealand, often in conjunction with animal rearing expert Dr Bas Schouten.
“I’ve attended the local AgriVantage field days and Warren has been out on farm. He gave us some good ideas to implement in the future; upgrading our housing system is a priority for next season.
“We’ll be using Sprayfo again next season too” Bradley concludes. “It’s a product I’d highly recommend to other lamb rearers. We’re also new advocates for Stalosan F disinfectant – it worked well to soak up the ammonia smell (often prevalent in animal housing) and kept the lambs in good health.
“The AgriVantage range of products opens up a whole new way of thinking around the welfare of orphan lambs. There is money to be made from quality stock. And good rearing practice – feeding, hygiene and housing – is the foundation on which to build that business.”
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