Use root crops to finish lambs over winter

Many livestock farmers plant brassica root crops over winter to supplement winter grazing. To make the most of this highly nutritious crop - and finish lambs quickly - is fairly simple.

To minimise wastage and ensure the leaf and bulb of stubble turnips is eaten any field of stubble turnips should be strip grazed using electric fencing. The fencing should not be moved as soon as the green tops have been eaten, but once the bulbs have been utilised as well.

Small quantities of hay, barley and/or concentrates can also be beneficial to ensure lambs fulfil their potential and gain between 100-150g per day.

A grass run back should also be provided to keep lambs clean and ensure they have somewhere to lie.

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Date Posted: 1st February 2012