Targeted Sheep Nutrition

Words by Stacey Cosnett

The NRM extensive sheep range reflect the different needs of sheep according to their stage of life, pasture supply and level of production.

During the summer, as pasture growth decreases and we start to see a feed pinch, NRM Sheep Nuts are a useful, high grain based feed to supplement ewes to ensure they maintain good body condition. NRM Sheep Nuts are typically fed at up to 150g/head/ day. If a drought really takes hold, NRM Summer Dry Nuts can be fed at higher rates and deliver more protein to help balance more mature conserved forages, which may have to be fed alongside limited grazing. As a 10mm nut, they are well suited to being fed on the ground with minimal waste.

Flushing ewes – raising their level of nutrition before and through mating – has long been recognised as a way of stimulating fertility, both in terms of the number of eggs released and conception rates. NRM Sheep Pre Tup Nuts are designed for feeding to ewes and rams 4 to 6 weeks before and during mating. If the weather or irrigation obliges by providing good quality pasture before mating, they may not be necessary but if pasture quality or supply is sub-optimal, or if ewes need an extra lift after a hard period, they are well worth considering. 

NRM Sheep Triplet Nuts take nutrition to the next level with elevated levels of both energy and protein. They are best directed at triplet bearing ewes, so are great for flocks that have been scanned. Improved nutrition can help the survivability of lambs by improving fat stores, lessening the risk of sleepy sickness (ketosis) and improving the quality of the colostrum and the milkiness of ewes.

NRM Lamb Start Mix and Lamb Performance Pellets are both great options for hand reared lambs. NRM Lamb StartMix is the perfect starter feed and as they get older they can be moved over to NRM Lamb Performance Pellets and they should be kept on the Lamb Performance Pellets until at least a month after weaning to help to support a smooth weaning period. Lamb Performance Pellets also make a good creep feed for lambs on ewes that need some extra help – especially through weaning. In the below photo a piece of wood has been screwed on a shelter so lambs can get into the NRM Lamb Performance, but the ewes can’t. This is a great way of supplementing lambs that need some extra nutritional support and can help to prepare the lambs with the stress of weaning to ensure they continue to grow well. 

NRM Sheep range specifications