Feeding Sprayfo Primo Lamb whey-based milk replacer in an adlib feeding system has been a break-through for rearing orphan lambs, according to Sheep Farmer Peter Black, who up until three years ago was frustrated at lamb mortality from abomasal bloat.
“Losses from abomasal bloat, which can take some of the best lambs after a lot has been invested in them, was a discouraging aspect of rearing orphan lambs” explains Peter.
Peter and wife Marion farm at Blackdale, in the Riverton district of Western Southland, which is home to 4,000 ewes and lambing hoggets. The high fertility flock has ewes scanning around 200%.
To reduce lamb losses, 150-180 lambs are reared off mum, with the ewe flocks rearing over 170%.
In 2015, they heard about Sprayfo Primo for lambs from a rearer who said she no longer had any issues with bloat.
“Once we learned more about the digestive properties of whey, we figured it was worth trying” says Peter.
At the same time, they introduced adlib feeding with an automatic milk feeder.
The Black’s highly recommend both the product and adlib feeding, for three main reasons.
1. Sprayfo Primo Lamb reduces the risk of abomasal bloat.
“The primary reason we’re advocates of Sprayfo is that abomasal bloat is no longer a concern for us” states Peter.
Sprayfo Primo Lamb is specifically formulated for lambs.
It contains hydrolysed wheat protein, an ingredient proven to have better digestive properties than other commonly used protein sources (such as soy), offering a safer option for young lambs.
Of course, being whey-based, it’s also more easily digested in the gut than standard casein (whole milk) powders.
Where casein forms a curd within the abomasum and takes several hours to digest, whey does not curd and is quickly digested, reducing the risk of abomasal bloat.
2. The lambs gain weight fast.
Peter confirms that they are weaning the lambs a lot quicker than previously.
This is because the rapid digestion of whey encourages animals to seek out concentrates earlier, which aids rumen development and increases growth rates.
Blackdale lambs have adlib access to Lucerne and pellets from day one.
Peter adds that the lambs are fortunate to get off to a good start – with adequate colostrum and no major check – do best with adlib feeding and grow quickly.
“The first batch of lambs weaned last year (late October) at 16kg to 25kg, averaging 7 weeks old. They grew at an average of 320g per day.
“This is competitive with our ewe reared triplets.”
He notes that the lambs are more content too. “We used to have the lambs bellowing for feed as we approached the shed, now they are surprised to see us!”
3. Sprayfo mixes easily with water.
“Sprayfo milk replacer is not sticky and it makes cleaning the automatic feeder very easy” Peter agrees.
“We’re still using the same tubes after three years.”
Peter says they haven’t looked back since introducing Sprayfo Primo Lamb – successfully raising the majority of their orphan lambs each year since.
He adds that the support he’s received from AgriVantage is invaluable.
“Warren looks after us, he ensured we had product when supply was short in the past few seasons. And he’s given us some good rearing tips.
“Having found a satisfactory and much easier way of rearing orphans, it’s now a viable option” Peter concludes.
Comments are closed.