Grazing turnips upto lambing.

[paul&mandy]

Due to being so wet we housed all fat lambs and there now all gone off cake probably got about 15 acres of very big roots for ewes left. They are due in a month and I've got lifeline buckets out for them, is there anything I need to be watching grazing this? I could vit drench them tomorrow while we heptavac them. I think if I add another few hundred tomorrow taking it upto 500 it would last another 2 weeks.

 

[Tim W]

I've done this with no problems ---just keep the singles out ---some worry about Iodine levels but it probably depends on how long they are grazing them for and local mineral situation?

 

[paul&mandy]

just walked back it wouldn't upload the better photo so took this of singles in low quality. Get the idea it's a hell of a lot of roots. This field 150 have 3 acres due to a big wet flooded hole in the middle

 

[paul&mandy]

I've done this with no problems ---just keep the singles out ---some worry about Iodine levels but it probably depends on how long they are grazing them for and local mineral situation?

Yes all be all twins apart from that 1 group tidying up that very wet bit where I gave up with the lambs. They were close by and won't be on it for more than 10 days.

 

[Six Dogs]

I've done this with no problems ---just keep the singles out ---some worry about Iodine levels but it probably depends on how long they are grazing them for and local mineral situation?

How close to lambing have you kept them on the turnips Tim?

 

[Bob the beef]

I’ve kept ewes on turnips right up to 5 days before when they go to set stocked grass parks.

 

[Just because]

@JSmith

 

[Jerry]

Do it every year, they stay on turnips until about a week before due, though often get a couple lamb whilst on turnips, which is not ideal if wet.

 

[Devil's advocate]

Do it every year, they stay on turnips until about a week before due, though often get a couple lamb whilst on turnips, which is not ideal if wet.

Prolapses would worry me, getting the cervix filthy.

 

[Jerry]

Prolapses would worry me, getting the cervix filthy.

Not been a real issue, but I am on dry sandy ground so little mud.

 

[JSmith]

Due to being so wet we housed all fat lambs and there now all gone off cake probably got about 15 acres of very big roots for ewes left. They are due in a month and I've got lifeline buckets out for them, is there anything I need to be watching grazing this? I could vit drench them tomorrow while we heptavac them. I think if I add another few hundred tomorrow taking it upto 500 it would last another 2 weeks.

Get them on it! All our ewes were on roots right upto coming in the shed more or less, the multiples anyway, they had hay and molasses if they wanted it and nuts three weeks before lambing but the turnips were coming to an end by then so it was a natural transition off them if you like! I didn’t have any issues

 

[unlacedgecko]

2019 I lambed Shetland drafts that were on turnips till point of lambing.

It was absolute hell. Assistance rates over 20%. I suspect ram choice had a lot to do with that as well though.

Not my sheep, not my system, not my decisions.

 

[David.]

Always get one or two slip through the net and lamb on turnips, having had minimal hard feeding. They go out with the indoor pairs, and you never seem to notice them again.
Makes you question the decadent indoor lifestyle of the others, tbh.

 

[Northern territory]

Do it on fodder beet here, up to a week before, no more issues than any other methods

 

[DanM]

We often have ewes scanned with multiples on turnips right upto start of lambing (and quite often beyond). Prior to moving to parkland. Sets them up really well.

 

[Tim W]

How close to lambing have you kept them on the turnips Tim?

Couple of weeks?
Lambed them on roots once (on the chalk)

 

[neilo]

We often have ewes scanned with multiples on turnips right upto start of lambing (and quite often beyond). Prior to moving to parkland. Sets them up really well.

Same here. Singles are kept a lot tighter to prevent lambs getting too big though.

 

[Troward]

I've done this with no problems ---just keep the singles out ---some worry about Iodine levels but it probably depends on how long they are grazing them for and local mineral situation?

Not entirely sure where you are @paul&mandy, but it looks like you may be weald-ish part of the world, in which case it's worthwhile looking at the Iodine, as it's already quite an issue for most in the area, let alone off turnips.

We have lambed them not long off turnips and iodine has caused problems with weak lambs. Easy and cheap to fix.

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

We sometimes lamb singles on turnips but restrict the amount with silage on the run back.
Always have free access minerals with Iodine, no problem at all.

 

[paul&mandy]

Not entirely sure where you are @paul&mandy, but it looks like you may be weald-ish part of the world, in which case it's worthwhile looking at the Iodine, as it's already quite an issue for most in the area, let alone off turnips.

We have lambed them not long off turnips and iodine has caused problems with weak lambs. Easy and cheap to fix.

We suffered from some weak lambs last yr not on turnips mind. Put it down to being so wet. Probably best get some blood tests done. I did ask about this but fallen on deaf ears.
How do I go about this if it's low?
Like I said they are on lifeline buckets and will start some rolls next week with just under a month to go till lambing. Just don't want them getting too fat.