Paddock grazing at tupping.

[redcoo235]

Have paddock grazed the ewes through flushing. Going into high covers (2600-2700kgdm) for three days then moved. Not making them take it down much so I will have a least 3-4 grazings in each paddock going into the winter. Want to keep doing it through tupping as still getting a bit of grass growth and as its a 35 day rotation so should add a bit to the paddocks by next time round.

Does anyone else paddock graze them while tupping? Few folk have said I should be set stocking for tupping and leave the ewes in peace. Not much hassle on them being shifted every 3 day and most the time they are just crossing the electric fence. But I don't now, have got the seed of doubt in me! Don't want a disaster come scanning time. Ewes are about 2.75cs and improving so they have done up until now. Three lots of 250 ewes/gimmers TIA

 

[Sheepfog]

If they're not being asked to take the covers right down I would have thought you would be giving them a very high quality diet by moving them to fresh grass every three days, which should result in a good scanning! You can then graze down tight after tupping once they're safely in lamb.

If you were short of grass then you would probably have to paddock graze them in order to make the best use of what you've got.

 

[Mutch]

If the ewes are used to rotational grazing then a move is no more stress than driving round and checking them. We do it with no problems

 

[redcoo235]

Ewes have been on paddocks for 18 months now so as soon as they see you they expect to be moved, don't need to dog anything as they want to move.

 

[neilo]

My ewes are set stocked over tupping, but only because they are back home and mostly on the parkland. My ewe lambs are still rotating round whilst the tups are in (I have always set stocked over tupping before). They don't seem bothered by the moves as they're used to it. In fact they're probably more stressed on the days they run to the gate and I don't let them through.

 

[Woolless]

Advice I heard at a meeting some time ago was that paddock grazing at tupping was fine but don't take the covers down tight, as there may be toxins in the bottom which could result in some empty ewes.