DEEP DIVE
Best Practices: Lamb Feedlotting
A successful lamb feedlot operation hinges on two critical pillars: a well-designed physical setup and a meticulously managed induction process. Getting these fundamentals right from the beginning is the key to maximising growth rates, improving feed conversion, minimising animal health issues, and ultimately, driving profitability.
This guide combines the essentials of infrastructure design with a proven, step-by-step induction protocol for grain-based rations.
Part 1: The Foundation
Setting up your Lamb Feedlot
Before the first lamb steps into the pen, careful planning of the feedlot's location and infrastructure is essential for efficiency, animal welfare, and ease of management.
Feedlot Location
The ideal site for a lamb feedlot should be strategically located near:
Sheep Handling Facilities: Proximity to yards and scales is crucial for efficient weighing, drafting, and treatment.- Feed Storage: Easy access to hay sheds and silos reduces labour and time during daily feeding.
- Reliable Water Supply: A dependable water source is non-negotiable. If relying on pumps, a header tank with at least three days' backup supply is essential insurance against failure.
The site itself should feature a gentle slope of 2-4% for effective drainage and provide adequate shelter. If using existing trees, ensure they are protected from ring-barking. If no shelter is available, it’s recommended to construct shade and shelter in pens.
Pen Layout and Stocking Density
A well-designed pen layout simplifies stock movement and management.
- Laneways: Incorporate a central laneway system wide enough to accommodate current and future machinery. Installing extra gates can allow the entire laneway to be closed off when needed.
- Mob Size: Aim for manageable mob sizes of 250-300 lambs per pen.
- Space: Provide at least 5 square metres of pen space per lamb.
- Sorting and Care: Ensure you have enough pens to sort lambs into different weight ranges, and always include a dedicated hospital pen for sick or injured animals.
- Trough Placement: Position feed troughs at the top of the slope and water troughs at the bottom. This ensures any spillage or cleaning runoff flows away from the feed and out of the pen. Troughs can be purchased with internal drainage systems that also work well.
Water Infrastructure: The Driving Force of Feed Intake
High water intake drives higher feed intake. It's that simple.
- Flow Rate: High-flow water is required. While trough space isn't as critical as it is for feed, the troughs must fill quickly and efficiently.
- Water Quality: For optimal performance, water should contain less than 5000ppm of salt (total dissolved solids).
- Cleaning: Troughs must be cleaned daily. Low-volume troughs, including those made from stormwater pipe, are effective and easier to keep clean, whilst minimising water wastage.
Feed Infrastructure
The right feeding system and adequate space are vital to ensure all lambs have equal access and to minimise stress.
- Introducing in Troughs: When starting lambs on grain, allow at least 25cm of single-sided trough space per lamb. Every animal must be able to line up at the trough at the same time.
- Total Mixed Ration (TMR): If using a TMR, 12cm of single-sided trough space per lamb is sufficient.
- Finisher Rations in Self-Feeders: Once lambs are on the finisher ration, allocate 3cm/head of self feeder space. It's critical to always provide at least two self-feeders per pen, even if the mob is smaller than 200.
- Roughage: Provide hay and straw in racks or rings to reduce wastage.
Part 2: The Critical First 15 Days
Lamb Induction Protocol
The transition from paddock to a grain-based diet is the highest-risk period in the feedlotting process. A slow, steady, and consistent approach is crucial to prevent acidosis and ensure all lambs adapt successfully.
Download The Protocol
Preparing for Arrival:
7 Days Prior to Induction
Proper animal health preparation sets the stage for success. While lambs are still on paddock feed, or as soon as they arrive, implement the following:
- Vaccination: A minimum of a 3-in-1 vaccination is essential to protect against pulpy kidney.
- Drench: Conduct a worm egg count to determine if drenching is required. If so, use an effective drench with no known resistance. For lambs from drier areas, a triple drench is recommended. For high-risk areas, consider using a premium option.
- Vitamins: Supplement with B12 in high-stress situations or if cobalt deficiency is a risk. If lambs have had limited access to green feed, over the last 3 months, supplementing with Vitamin A, D & E should be considered.
- Initial Feed: Place newly arrived lambs in an induction pen with ad-lib hay.
Grain-based Ration Timeline
Trough Space Allocation
If introducing in troughs allow 20-25cm per head minimum single sided trough space.
Feeder Guidelines
Allow 3cm per head of self-feeder space for the finishing ration.
Water Access
Clean water with high flow rate to be provided in the pen.
The Role of Additive Pellets
Additive pellets must be included in a grain ration from the introduction period until lambs are finished, they are not an optional extra. They provide rumen buffers and recommended levels of macrominerals, microminerals and vitamins to improve feedlot health and performance.
Using a high quality additive pellet such as Rod's InGrain pellet range, will significantly improve daily growth rates, reduce mortality and improve feed conversion.
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