NWGA - Management calender for wool sheep - February 2015

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MANAGEMENT CALENDER FOR WOOL SHEEP IN THE SUMMER RAINFALL AREAS OF SOUTH AFRICA

(FEBRUARY & MARCH) PRESENTED BY THE PRODUCTION ADVISORY SERVICES OF THE NATIONAL WOOLGROWERS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA (NWGA)

The Production Advisory Service of the NWGA publish a list of management practices every second month that are deemed important to assist in the management of your flock.

1. Pregnant ewes (mated in October and November)

(These actions need to be concluded at least 4 weeks prior to the start of the lambing season)

1. New born lambs will suckle on anything with either an oblong or round shape that resembles the form of the ewe’s teat, frequently pieces of lox hanging in the vicinity of the udder..  Ensure that the udder and udder area is void of hanging pieces of lox by either crutching of shearing the ewes before the start of lambing.
2. Vaccinate ewes against pasteurella and pulpy kidney.  Vaccination against blue udder, red gut and blood gut are optional, depending on whether these problems occur in your area.
3. Dose or inject ewes with a broad spectrum round worm remedy (particularly wire worm) and nasal worm.
4. Inject or dose with Vitamin A and minerals.
5. Monitor the condition of ewes on a regular (weekly to two weekly) basis during the last 8 weeks of pregnancy.  Thin and underweight ewes produce low volumes of milk which lead to weak and underweight lambs.  Start feeding as soon as the ewes loose body condition.  Take particular note of the condition of ewes carrying twins and two-tooth ewes.  The reason being that although they may seem to be in a good condition their expanding abdomens make it difficult to visually assess the ewe’s condition.

Important: Read the pamphlets of all animal health products carefully to ensure that it is safe to use with pregnant ewes.

1. Ewes to be mated
   1. Move the ewes to be mated to fresh pasture at least 14 days prior to the start of the mating season.  This will provide a natural stimulus for the ewes to cycle (teasing).
   2. If necessary crutch the ewes to remove all wool that can be in the way during the mating process.

1. Rams 

(All actions must be be concluded 8 weeks prior to mating to avoid temporary sterility of the rams)

1. Shear the rams and conduct all the necessary vacinnations, drenching and mineral supplementations for autumn mating. 
2. Ensure that all rams are in peak condition before mating.  Flush them with oats or a good quality protein lick as this gives good results.  Beware of using maize or chocolate maize only for flushing as it could lead to the accumulation of fat around the testicles, which could affect the fertility of the rams. Make sure that there is sufficient feeding space when providing feed.  It is a good sign if the skin around the hind and front legs starts to turn into a purple colour.  This is a sign of good levels of testosterone.
3. Test for fertility and venereal disease.
4. Dose the rams with 20 ml wheat germ oil per week for the last 4 weeks before mating.
5. Make sure that rams are fit.
6. Dose or vaccinate with a broad spectrum remedy against roundworms (particularly wire worm) and nasal worm.  It is important that their noses are not infected with nasal worm as they need to identify ewes in heat by smelling them.
7. Ensure that rams and ewes are free from TICKS.

1. Teaser rams (optional this time of the year)
   1. Tease the ewes 9 days prior to mating.  Remove teaser rams by late afternoon of day 9 and replace with the breeding rams.

5          Predators

5.1       Start monitoring the lamb camps for the presence of predators.  Close wholes underneath fences and start a well-planned control program.  Do not postpone this until ewes start lambing as the ewes will then require your full attention.

IMPORTANT:  CONTACT YOUR LOCAL VETERINARIAN IF YOU ARE DOUBTFUL OF ANY OF THE ANIMAL HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS!

DO NOT VACCINATE PREGNANT EWES WITH LIVE VACINNES SUCH AS BLUE TONGUE AND RIFT VALLEY FEVER – IT CAN CAUSE ABORTIONS. 

READ THE PAMFLETS OF ALL VACCINATIONS, DOSING REMEDIES AND FEEDS TO AQUAINT YOURSELF WITH THE RESPONSIBLE USE THEREOF

http://www.nwga.co.za/downloads/generiese-bestuurskalender.html

http://www.nwga.co.za/downloads/skaapbestuursproram_en_kalender.xls