American Southdown Breeders' Association
Nutritional Management
by Jeff Neal, Mapolyne Farms
Sycamore, Ohio
The modern Southdown is unquestionably one of the most unique ruminant animals and excels with respect to feed conversion. It can convert roughages and grains into a high quality lean carcass, more efficiently than any other breed of sheep. The Southdown has been bred to produce market lambs that will achieve optimum market weights on grass with minimal grain supplement. With these facts in mind, the development of a nutritional management program that will optimize genetic potential should be the goal of most purebred breeders. It has been my observation that the management of a feeding program is one of the areas of great opportunity in many purebred flocks. Most flocks are "overfed" or "underfed," with very few being managed right on target. These statements are not meant to be critical of anyone, since I was guilty of "overfeeding" when we first started with our flock.
I believe the modern Southdown has the potential to once again dominate over other meat breeds in the sheep industry, if we as breeders continue to strive for excellence. With consideration of this thought, it is of critical importance that new and old breeders alike understand how to feed the "modern kind" to achieve their full genetic potential.
Now, let's get down to the basics of my program for feeding Southdowns. The topics for your consideration are as follows:
Selection of Commercial Feed Products
There is a world of difference in commercial feeds, from the points of quality control, quality of ingredients, and formulation levels of nutrition. I believe the most important facet of this decision is the selection of a reputable manufacturer. This can be accomplished by simply talking with fellow sheep producers in your area and checking on whether or not the manufacturer has consistently met its guarantees. Bulletins and reports are published by respective state departments which are responsible for enforcing feed laws. With manufacturers, a good reputation is crucial.
Nutritional needs vary according to age, productivity level and whether sheep are being fed primarily for maintenance, growth, finishing, show, reproduction, or lactation. Make sure the products you select are designed and formulated for the stage in the life cycle that is applicable.
A "feed tag" will appear on products you purchase. Most states require that mixed feeds carry a list of the guaranteed analysis, as well as a list of ingredients. Generally, feeds containing more protein and less fiber are better. I am an advocate of "fixed formulas" for feeding quality purebred Southdowns. Many companies sell sheep products which are "least costed." The term "least costed" means that the ingredients are rotated in and out of the formulas based on the cost of the ingredients at the time the product is manufactured. This formulation philosophy results in inconsistent digestibility, palatability, and performance. Ingredient availability varies somewhat throughout the U.S., but quality protein ingredients such as 48% soybean meal and distillers grains are available nearly everywhere.
Our rations include a blend of corn, oats, 48% soybean meal, dried distillers grains, dehydrated alfalfa meal and fish meal, along with mineral, vitamins, and trace mineral fortification.
Feed a Properly Balanced Diet
A balanced ration is one which provides the proper proportions and amounts of all the required nutrients for a 24-hour period. A good sheepman should know how to balance a ration. Most importantly, if you understand how to balance a ration, you will be able to more intelligently select and buy rations, check out your manufacturer, and evaluate the results.
I recommend evaluating the following details when balancing your diets:
- Test for ages and formulate diets accordingly.
- Make sure the ingredients are highly palatable and digestible. Don't use poor quality, cheap ingredients! Example: rice hulls.
- Evaluate ration cost. Economics are important! Generally, make maximum use of feed available in your area, especially forages.
- Feed adequate crude protein in grain mixes, not lower than is actually needed. Typically, I use the following crude protein levels for the age classes below:
- Creep ration - 20 to 22% (self feed with high quality hay).
- Grower ration - 19% (self feed with high quality hay).
- Developing lambs and yearlings - 18% (limit fed with high quality hay).
- Flushing ewes - 18% (limit fed with pasture or medium quality hay).
- Lactating ewes - 18% (limit fed with pasture or high quality hay).
With Southdowns being such efficient converters, I have had best success with high protein, high quality, lower energy rations. - Formulate diets with "stress levels" of vitamins and minerals. Pay close attention to copper levels in feeds.
- Free access to appropriate minerals should be provided at all times. Be sure to use products formulated for sheep with no added copper.
- I prefer to use all natural sources of protein rather than non-protein nitrogen (urea). Urea can have a negative impact on the palatability of the diet.
- Formulate the ration to nourish the bacteria of the rumen for proper digestion of roughages and grains as well as synthesis of B vitamins.
The practice of conditioning or having thin ewes gain weight just prior to breeding is known as "flushing." Personally, I believe that if all other management practices are on track such as worming, pasture care, etc., many Southdown flocks will see little benefit to "flushing." Of course, in our flock producing females are kept in good body score year round. I use "flushing" as a management tool only on a limited basis. This can be accomplished by turning ewes in on a fresh pasture two to six weeks prior to breeding or by feeding 1/2 to 1 lb. of grain per head, per day over this same time period. If "flushing" is needed and done properly it may result in more lambs born over a shorter period of time. One word of caution - "overfeeding" can be as bad as "underfeeding."
Feeding Pregnant Ewes
I believe that feeding in the dry period is the most neglected segment of most feeding programs. If strong, healthy lambs are expected, the ewes must be properly fed and cared for throughout the period of pregnancy. This means feeding a suitable, well-balanced ration designed for maintenance and/or growth of the fleece and development of the fetus. Ewes should be provided with good quality forages and exercise at all times. Ewes normally gain weight during the entire pregnancy and achieve a total gain of 20 to 30 pounds during gestation. Always remember that two thirds of the birth weight of the developing fetus is obtained during the last six weeks of pregnancy. The protein requirements of late pregnancy are approximately 30% higher and the Total Digestible Nutrient requirements are about 40% higher. I recommend feeding 1/2 to 1 lb. of mixed grain daily depending on the amount and quality of forage that is provided. Increasing the plane of nutrition the last month to six weeks prior to lambing should result in the following: lower incidence of pregnancy disease, heavier birth weights, stronger lambs at birth, lower young lamb death loss, increased gains in lambs, and increased milk yields during early lactation.
Feeding at Lambing Time
At lambing, the grain allowance should be reduced, but high quality dry hay should be fed free choice. Bring ewes back on to grain gradually reaching full feed 5 to 7 days following parturition.
Feeding Lactating Ewes
After lambing, the feed allowance should be according to her condition and appetite. A Southdown ewe's milk is richer and more concentrated than other breeds of sheep. My experience is that Southdowns produce a lower volume of milk, but it is more nutrient dense. In addition to producing milk and maintaining her body condition, the ewe is growing wool, which requires large amounts of protein. Ewe lambs and some yearling ewes at lambing time will still be growing. Therefore, I believe it is beneficial to feed a higher protein lactation ration than is normally recommended. The importance of adequate nutrition for the Southdown ewe during lactation cannot be overstated. Milk production can be influenced greatly with proper selection of feedstuffs. I prefer high quality alfalfa hay and a grain mix which is composed of ingredients with high rumen by-pass valves such as dried corn distillers grains, fish meal, and corn gluten meal. Most large framed Southdowns will milk nicely on 1 to 2 lbs. of grain daily along with 4 to 5 lbs. of high quality alfalfa hay.
Drying Off Ewes
A management practice which I use to help eliminate post-weaning cases of mastitis is as follows:
- Discontinue feeding grain approximately one week prior to weaning lactating ewes.
- Begin feeding an average quality clover or grass hay instead of high quality alfalfa hay one week prior to weaning.
- After one week, remove water from ewes for 48 hours and allow lambs to continue to nurse.
- Remove lambs and provide limited amounts of water to ewes for 48 hours. Continue to feed average hay and check udders closely for swelling. Once all the udders seem soft, pliable, and are not fevered, a normal feeding schedule can be resumed.
Modern, large-framed Southdown rams should be fed so as to remain active and vigorous. Poor nutrition can result in reduced fertility or sterility. Rams can be fed the same rations as ewes and should be fed in amounts according to body condition. When ram lambs are used for breeding, they may require special attention since they are still growing. Ram lambs should be separated from the ewes twice daily and provided proper amounts of grain.
Creep Rations
Southdown lambs should be exposed to a dry, comfortable creep area at 2 to 3 weeks of age. I prefer the grains to be crimped, cracked or rolled unless a pelleted ration is fed. High-quality alfalfa hay should be self-fed in addition to the grain mix or pellets. I recommend a 21% crude protein starter and a 19% crude protein grower be fed up to 60 to 70 days of age. Following this we use an 18% ration, which is fed in amounts corresponding to body condition. Most Southdown lambs are easy fleshing and it is very important not to "over condition" them at an early age. Creep rations can be either hand-fed or self-fed. I prefer to hand-feed until the lambs are eating regularly, then to self-feed at approximately 90 days of age. In order to get maximum consumption, the creep feeders should be kept clean at all times.
Developing Competitive Lambs and Yearlings
When it comes to "growing-out" Southdowns, it is crucial to keep close track of condition and not let the animals become either under-conditioned or over-conditioned. Feeding for maximum genetic potential is an art and requires animal husbandry skills too numerous to mention. My recommendation is to find a "mentor" with high success rate and ask them for help. Most successful shepherds are willing to help if a person has sincere interest and wants to learn. With respect to developing elite individuals, keep in mind that answers are not always black and white, but a series of grays! If it was easy, more breeders would breed and raise National Champions! I believe nutrition, health management, genetics, and exercise are the main components of this complex equation.
In summary, remember that feeding the modern Southdown is an art. Feed requirements of individuals do not remain the same from day to day. The age and frame size of the animal, amount of activity, climate conditions, type, quality and quantity of feed, management system, condition, health, and temperament are all influencing the nutritional needs. The success or failure of the feed program is determined by how well the flock manager understands, anticipates, interprets, and meets the requirements.
Always remember the following:
- Select the proper feed program.
- Pay close attention to the amount fed.
- Feed with exact frequency and regularity.
- Feed grains first, then roughages.
- Never change feeds abruptly.
- Pay attention to details! Winners always do!
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office (325) 429-6226 - fax (325) 429-6225
e-mail: southdown@ctesc.net
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