Testing ewe colostrum quality should become standard practice across all flocks, say experts, to help safeguard lamb health and productivity.
Independent sheep consultant Kate Phillips says testing colostrum — particularly at the start of lambing — can provide a useful indicator of overall flock health and nutrition and allow management changes to be made early.
She also recommends carrying out a blood metabolic profile three to four weeks before lambing to check whether ewes are receiving the nutrients required to support udder development, colostrum quality, and milk production.
“If colostrum quality is found to be inadequate early in the lambing period, farmers can act on that information to support ewes lambing later by adjusting diets and providing supplementation to lambs,” she explains.
Colostrum can be checked using a Brix Refractometer, which costs around £20 and gives an almost instant reading. Farmers should aim for a reading of 26.5 or higher to indicate adequate colostrum quality.
A study conducted on 147 Welsh farms revealed that only 76% of colostrum samples tested were of adequate quality. Ms Phillips, who was involved in the research, says the findings highlighted important management lessons.
“Singles often had lower colostrum quality, as these ewes are sometimes on forage alone compared to multiple-bearing ewes,” she says.
“Most farmers involved in the study admitted testing colostrum was both easy and valuable, allowing them to identify when supplementation was needed,” she adds.
Where colostrum quality is lacking, Ms Phillips recommends using good-quality colostrum from another ewe wherever possible to provide the essential nutrients lambs need. When that’s not available, cow colostrum that is disease-free, or a high-quality colostrum supplement can be used.
Nia Williams, Technical Manager at Nettex, which produces a range of products to support ewe and lamb health, says high-quality colostrum from another ewe remains the gold standard when a mother’s colostrum is insufficient in quality or quantity. However, where this isn’t feasible, using a high-quality colostrum supplement, such as Nettex Ultra Concentrate Colostrum, can help support lamb survival and growth.
“Early testing of colostrum also allows farmers to make targeted feeding adjustments for ewes, particularly singles or thinner animals, helping to prevent metabolic issues and support overall flock health.
“Using reliable supplements to support lambs where high-quality maternal colostrum is lacking can help support lamb health and survival in the first critical days of life, ultimately supporting overall lamb performance and productivity,” adds Mrs Williams.
