Bolusing lambs

[EmilyKingston]

Peoples thoughts on bolusing lambs?
I’m looking for advice on what and if people bolus their lambs.
We lamb about 160 poll Dorset ewes throughout December/January and this year we might look to bolus the lambs with agrimin 24/7 smartrace for lambs. Is it worth it/any good?
Thanks

 

[GTB]

Do they need bolusing? Have you done blood tests to see what they're deficient in? If they are deficient then bolusing is definitely worth it but a bit pointless if they aren't.

 

[EmilyKingston]

No we haven’t blood tested it was just a thought at the moment.

 

[neilo]

As above, absolutely no benefit unless they are in need of what's in the bolus. I wouldn't spend the money without establishing any deficiency or need, so you know what you're dealing with. You don't need to test every year, but just to establish the status of your farm.

Do you creep feed your lambs? If you creep with a bought in ration, you will probably be giving them all the mins & TE's they need that way anyway. If forage only, there would be more chance of deficiency IME.

Personally, I don't rate that make of lamb bolus ON THIS FARM. I had bolused lambs going backwards with iodine deficiency last year, which needed a drench AND a bolus to sort. In terms of administration, I found them a PITA to use, as you have to reload the gun each time with 2 boluses and a copper capsule (if you need copper too). Mayo have been the easiest ones that I have used, as well as having higher TE levels than most.

 

[Tim W]

As above, absolutely no benefit unless they are in need of what's in the bolus. I wouldn't spend the money without establishing any deficiency or need, so you know what you're dealing with. You don't need to test every year, but just to establish the status of your farm.

Do you creep feed your lambs? If you creep with a bought in ration, you will probably be giving them all the mins & TE's they need that way anyway. If forage only, there would be more chance of deficiency IME.

Personally, I don't rate that make of lamb bolus ON THIS FARM. I had bolused lambs going backwards with iodine deficiency last year, which needed a drench AND a bolus to sort. In terms of administration, I found them a PITA to use, as you have to reload the gun each time with 2 boluses and a copper capsule (if you need copper too). Mayo have been the easiest ones that I have used, as well as having higher TE levels than most.

ON THIS FARM is the key ----i used the Mayo boluses this year with no difference in measured mineral levels in bloods pre/ after . The only bolus i have had any success with is the Agrimin Smartrace in ewes
The problem still confounds me next year i will try the Smartrace for lambs i think (+ mineral drenches)

 

[neilo]

ON THIS FARM is the key ----i used the Mayo boluses this year with no difference in measured mineral levels in bloods pre/ after . The only bolus i have had any success with is the Agrimin Smartrace in ewes
The problem still confounds me next year i will try the Smartrace for lambs i think (+ mineral drenches)

I was referring to the 'proper' Mayo boluses, rather than the small ones you used. The bigger ones are a better comparison to the other brands of 'lamb finisher' boluses, lasting 4-6 months (maybe). I find the small ones work about the same as a drench here, only lasting 4 weeks or so before I notice condition tailing off again. I suspect they will give a more level release over that time than a drench though.

 

[Tim W]

I was referring to the 'proper' Mayo boluses, rather than the small ones you used. The bigger ones are a better comparison to the other brands of 'lamb finisher' boluses, lasting 4-6 months (maybe). I find the small ones work about the same as a drench here, only lasting 4 weeks or so before I notice condition tailing off again. I suspect they will give a more level release over that time than a drench though.

The ones i used advertised a 6 month cover ?

 

[neilo]

The ones i used advertised a 6 month cover ?

My apologies. I thought you'd posted it was the diddly ones.

I blood tested lambs that were falling off a cliff last year, 8 weeks after having the Agrimin lamb boluses at weaning. They were severely deficient in Iodine already, and in hindsight, probably had been right through. We (& several other local farms) went to drenching at bolusing, which seemed to work well. I've been loathe to use that brand since, but have drenched and bolused with different ones at weaning this year. Very pleased with the results, but had no reason to spend money on blood testing to measure the effect.

I'm convinced the Iodine problem spilled over into low scan% in the crossbred ewes last year too, so I am trying twice yearly bolusing this time, rather than a pre-tupping drench with a bolus later. Those ewes were bolused a month ago and they are looking in fine fettle, on the same (very) old pasture they were on last year. If they lift scanning back up from 150% to nearer 190% this year, I'll be a very happy bunny.

 

[Tim W]

My apologies. I thought you'd posted it was the diddly ones.

I blood tested lambs that were falling off a cliff last year, 8 weeks after having the Agrimin lamb boluses at weaning. They were severely deficient in Iodine already, and in hindsight, probably had been right through. We (& several other local farms) went to drenching at bolusing, which seemed to work well. I've been loathe to use that brand since, but have drenched and bolused with different ones at weaning this year. Very pleased with the results, but had no reason to spend money on blood testing to measure the effect.

I'm convinced the Iodine problem spilled over into low scan% in the crossbred ewes last year too, so I am trying twice yearly bolusing this time, rather than a pre-tupping drench with a bolus later. Those ewes were bolused a month ago and they are looking in fine fettle, on the same (very) old pasture they were on last year. If they lift scanning back up from 150% to nearer 190% this year, I'll be a very happy bunny.

Used the diddlys last year (good technical term!) ----bigger ones this year
No effect from either
But i know other farms that have had good results ----it's all very farm specific
The only labs that have done well on this farm are the very poor ones that i drenched with minerals every 2/3 weeks but I really want to avoid that routine ,hence the search for a bolus that works for a sustained period

 

[Chasingmytail]

Are you happy with your lambs that is the question - showing crispy ears and lacking? If not why bother. What is your land test results like? Low? Then no need. My land is low in minerals but my bloods come back ok however my lambs are poor, poor wool, crispy ears. Even though good grass, good rotation there is a considerable poor clover coverage. Grown herbal lay this year in one field. I have taken the decision following 2 yrs of poor lambs to try the agri bolus on both ewes and lambs. We will see the results next year.

 

[BDBed]

I would agree with what has been said you need to find out if there is a need. I would take a different approach and take grass/forage sample. This will show you what the lambs are already having through the grass/forage and most importantly if there is an issue i.e. Low levels or a lock up.

A blood test is a great tool but still doesn't tell you where the problem comes from.

 

[EmilyKingston]

Great thanks, I’m pretty new to this so learning and taking on others advice

 

[Dkb]

Mayo healthcare lamb bolus worked well here this year. Easy to administer at dosing time too

 

[Longlowdog]

24/7 at weaning. Dirty backsides are virtually a thing of the past these last two years. Soil and forage analysis both expressed the opinion that our farm would be great for growing rocks and maybe oats. Our Beltex lambs are looking clean and white while all around neighbours are struggling in this wet miserable git of a year.
Having once bought the massive ewe bolus pack and hating administering them, I now give the ewes a pair of lamb bolus (lamb dose) 6 weeks before tupping and the ewes seem to be in very good order.