To PMSG or Not To PMSG

[crazy_bull]

So we sponge all our ewes to tighten the lambing as we both work full time so need to minimise the lambing spread.

They are NC Mules varying from Shearlings to Full mouth.

The majority are in good condition and on good pastures.

We have used PMSG in the past, but am being told by some people that we don't need to as we would be tupping them in the 'normal' cycling period (tups will go in 2 weeks time).

I have spoken to our vet and I feel she might be playing it safe, as she is just quoting word for word off the data sheet.

I have nearly convinced myself to use it just as a precaution as it's £2 a shot (roughly), however that's £300 that I would rather not spend it it's a waste of time, yet it could be £300 well spent if it means we will get more lambs....

We averaged 180% this year (they had 2.5mm 500ui PMSG) but I was ruthless with regards not allowing re-cycling ewes to be-re-served. Everything that had 2 tits had two lambs on them and I still had 13 in the cade pen.

Everything without 2 tits has now gone down the road.

What do you think?

Cheers

C B

 

[MJT]

Sponge our early lambing ewes (Welsh mules and Aberdales) to go to the ram on the 15th of September. No PMSG used, about 70-75% hold minimum, have had 85% . No need for PMSG in my opinion, mules that have lambed previously should have no problem at all.Tried it witj PMSG first year and had too many triplets.

 

[crazy_bull]

Sponge our early lambing ewes (Welsh mules and Aberdales) to go to the ram on the 15th of September. No PMSG used, about 70-75% hold minimum, have had 85% . No need for PMSG in my opinion, mules that have lambed previously should have no problem at all.Tried it witj PMSG first year and had too many triplets.

So might be worth dosing the shearlings only then?

C B

 

[bovine]

You had good results last time. I wouldn't change a thing.

They maybe don't *need* PMSG, but I find better results giving them a little bit.

 

[neilo]

No need for PMSG if they are cycling naturally, unless you need to tighten up the synchrony even more for AI.

I certainly wouldn't dream of giving 500iu to mules in October! 200iu would be plenty if you feel you need to give any, I'd have thought. If you are getting rid of those that don't stand first time, I'd say the cost of a small dose of PMSG would be easily covered if it did have any effect. 1 or 2 more holding (so kept rather than culled) would probably pay for it.

 

[spin cycle]

what does pmsg actually do?

 

[gatepost]

No need for PMSG now, if they do not hold, it takes a long time for them to get back inlamb

 

[tr250]

would a teaser do the job?

 

[dazza b]

How much roughly would it cost to pmsg (synchronise) per ewe

 

[Longlowdog]

As a ball park figure I's suggest about £1.80ish . Sorry I can't remember exact dosages of the top of my head but two bottles at £25+vat did my Beltex if I remember right at 1.4 ml. This gave 180% lambing on unteased ewes that were probably beginning to cycle.

 

[neilo]

How much roughly would it cost to pmsg (synchronise) per ewe

Around £5/hd now for the sponge/CIDR and PMSG.

If the ewes are cycling naturally (later in the season and teased) you will be able to save half that by dropping the PMSG, unless you are AI’ing, which needs the tighter synchrony. PMSG alone will do nothing.