Prepare Ahead for Successful Lambing
The 2026 scanning season is now well underway and reports have been mixed. There have been many very successful scans with high levels of multiples expected (putting additional nutritional pressure on a flock pre-lambing). However, also some not quite as good as hoped with some reports of higher levels of barren ewes. Scanning whatever the results give a time for reflection. High levels of barren ewes can be caused by a variety of reasons predominantly relating to three key factors:
Nutrition
- Was body condition of ewes optimal going into tupping?
- Did nutritional supply remain consistent for 50 days pre and post tupping – this is essential for normal ovulation and to optimise embryo implantation.
- Was the trace element status of ewes correct throughout the tupping period?
Health
- Are there any underlying health challenges in the flock that may have led to infertility or early embryo loss – MV, borders, toxoplasmosis, high worm burden, fluke?
Genetics
- Some breeds are naturally lower in prolificacy compared to others.
- Prolificacy of ewes lambs can also be impacted by their dams nutritional status during pregnancy.
- Were all hoggs/ gimmers fertile to begin with?
No matter what the results, thoughts after scanning will turn to getting prepared for the upcoming lambing season and how we can optimise the number of lambs scanned that then make it through to weaning. A good nutrition plan is essential in this.
A ewe’s requirements for energy and protein will increase exponentially as the ewe approaches her due date and into lactation. Requirements for energy in a twin bearing ewe will be equivalent to a grown man running almost a marathon a day in the last week of pregnancy rising to running an ultra-marathon a day in lactation!
Long fibre such as grass, silage or hay will make up most of any pre-lambing diet, knowing the nutritional supply and availability of this (especially if relying on grazing alone) is vital to ensure the ration in sufficiently balanced to manage lamb growth, colostrum / milk production and ewe condition.
Energy supply in silage can typically range between 9.0 – 12.1 MJ/kg DM and protein between 5 – 20% with hay also seeing an energy range between 8 – 10 MJ/kg DM and protein between 5 – 11%.If not already done, now is the time to consider analysis to ensure any supplemental feed best compliments forage available, this can also dramatically impact input costs to the flock also. Balance really is the key to best managing the nutritional needs of ewes during the most demanding period in the production cycle.
If in any doubt of nutritional sufficiency as we near the flocks due to date metabolic blood testing by the farm vet is a useful tool, giving assurance that ewes have sufficient energy, protein and minerals pre-lambing and can also allow some small changes to be made before we reach lambing if necessary. Metabolic tests are typically carried out around four weeks pre lambing involving a representative sample from six ewes in each management group. For accuracy it is essential that ewes have been on a consistent diet for two to three weeks pre sampling and are blood sampled either before concentrate feeding or three to four hours post feeding.
Lorna Shaw, Ruminant Nutritionist, Lorna.Shaw@sac.co.uk
Posted by SAC Consulting on 19/01/2026
