Damon Mcknight
Sheep nutrition in Australia is a complex issue, requiring constant monitoring and planning. The country's Mediterranean climate in the southwest and reduced rainfall in the west pose challenges for farmers, who must carefully manage feed and water supply to maintain sheep health and productivity. This is especially important for pregnant and lactating ewes, who have higher nutritional demands. To meet their nutritional requirements, sheep consume a variety of grasses and forbs (herbaceous broadleaf flowering plants, including legumes), and may be supplemented with grains, hay, or manufactured pellets during dry seasons.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amount of food | 2-4% of their body weight in dry matter |
| Food type | Grasses, forbs (herbaceous broadleaf flowering plants, including legumes) |
| Food type | Grains from cereals and pulses, hay, and manufactured pellets |
| Food type | Fresh and/or dried forages, supplemented by minerals |
| Food type | Corn |
| Food timing | Feed budgeting should be part of a livestock management plan |
| Water | Water budget |
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What You'll Learn
- Sheep in Australia eat grasses and forbs, including legumes
- In summer, sheep may be fed grains from cereals and pulses, hay and pellets
- In Western Australia, climate change has reduced runoff into farm dams, leading to water deficiencies
- Sheep with certain health issues may require supplementary food sources
- Sheep being kept during a drought may be fed corn on the ground or grain in troughs
Sheep in Australia eat grasses and forbs, including legumes
In Western Australia, climate change has resulted in reduced rainfall and higher temperatures, leading to water deficiencies for livestock. This means that supplementary feeding is often required to ensure sheep are receiving adequate nutrition. The amount of supplementary feed required will depend on various factors, including the temperature, the type and quality of the food, and the individual sheep's weight, life stage, general health, and activity level.
To ensure good nutrition, sheep farmers must constantly monitor and plan their animals' feed and water supply to match demand. This includes considering the grazing preferences and natural behaviours of sheep. While sheep are typically considered grazers, some may also be classified as intermediates, consuming a mix of grasses and forbs.
By offering fresh or dried forages on a free-choice basis, sheep can consume as much food as they need to meet their nutritional requirements. However, it is important to note that the availability of fresh forages does not always guarantee sufficient quantities to be the primary food source. In such cases, grass hay may be necessary as the primary food source or to supplement fresh forages.
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In summer, sheep may be fed grains from cereals and pulses, hay and pellets
In Australia, the summer climate can be warm to hot and dry, which means that pastures dry out and are gradually trampled and eaten. This can lead to a decrease in feed supply, which is particularly problematic for pregnant ewes, as their feed demand is increasing.
To supplement the pasture feed in summer, sheep may be fed grains from cereals and pulses. Cereal grains are high in phosphorus and energy but low in calcium, so they should be mixed with other ingredients to create a balanced feed. A balanced feed for sheep should include sufficient protein, vitamins, minerals, and roughage. Whole grains are a good choice for feeding ewes, and they can be mixed with a high-quality legume or legume-grass mix to provide the necessary energy. It is important to note that introducing grains to a sheep's diet should be done slowly and incrementally over a few weeks, as too much grain too fast can cause health issues.
Sheep may also eat hay in summer. Hay can be mixed with grains to provide a balanced feed, and it is especially important for pregnant ewes, which require good quality hay with alfalfa or clover. Hay can also be used to supplement grazing in the fall, with better-quality hay being used as the weather gets colder.
Pellets are another option for supplementary feeding in summer. Pelleted creep rations are common for young lambs, as they require highly digestible feeds with small particle sizes.
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In Western Australia, climate change has reduced runoff into farm dams, leading to water deficiencies
In Western Australia, sheep are typically fed grains from cereals and pulses, hay, and manufactured pellets. In the summer, when pastures are dry, feed supply decreases, and pregnant ewes need careful monitoring. In autumn, when there is little dry feed left, supplementary feeding is standard practice. In Western Australia, climate change has reduced runoff into farm dams, leading to water deficiencies. This is due to reduced rainfall and higher temperatures, which have led to a number of water deficiency declarations by the government. The Western Australian government has begun trucking emergency water supplies to drought-hit farms, as farmers have run out of water for their livestock.
Farm dams are human-constructed ponds that rely on rainfall from the surrounding catchment to accumulate water for crops and livestock. They are particularly vulnerable to droughts and floods due to their small size. Climate change is causing more frequent empty farm dams, with water supplies expected to continue to worsen across 91% of Australia. By 2050, the area with year-round water supplies is predicted to decline by 37%.
To manage the impact of climate change on water security, it is important to understand the effects of different climate properties on farm dams. This includes monitoring temperature, rainfall, and evaporation patterns. Additionally, preventing contamination of farm dams is crucial, as organic material washed into dams can make the water unattractive or even toxic to livestock. Heavy rainfall can wash large amounts of organic material, such as straw and manure, into farm dams, leading to temporary unpalatability or toxicity.
Sheep farmers in Western Australia need to constantly monitor and plan the nutrition of their livestock due to the Mediterranean climate in the southwest of the region. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development provides resources for graziers to achieve good management of livestock, including information on pasture use and supplementary feeding.
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Sheep with certain health issues may require supplementary food sources
If a sheep is not maintaining a healthy weight, it is important to consult a veterinarian to determine the cause and the best course of action. This may include dry or soaked hay pellets, concentrates, or a mix of these, plus beet pulp and other foods. It is important to consider rumen health when determining supplementary foods, and for males, their risk of urinary calculi should be considered. Abrupt changes in diet can negatively affect rumen microbes, and large amounts of soluble carbohydrates can cause a drop in rumen pH, destroying many microbial species and causing serious issues.
Supplementary feeding of sheep with grain, hay, or silage is necessary when pastures or stubbles are deficient in energy and protein. This can be common in late summer, autumn, and early winter, when grazing pressure on pastures is high, and the pasture itself is low in protein and high in fibre. In these cases, supplementary feeding can provide the necessary energy and protein, with recommended supplements including grains from cereals and pulses, hay, and manufactured pellets.
There are also various sheep supplements available commercially, which can provide additional vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes. These can be particularly useful for sheep under stress or during extreme temperatures.
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Sheep being kept during a drought may be fed corn on the ground or grain in troughs
Sheep are typically fed pasture grasses, but in Australia, the climate can pose challenges to their nutrition. The Mediterranean climate in southwest Western Australia, for instance, demands constant monitoring and planning to ensure sheep are adequately fed. Summer pastures can become dry, trampled, and depleted, necessitating supplementary feeding. During autumn, there is often a "feed gap" when there is little dry feed left from summer, and new pastures are yet to germinate.
In drier seasons or during droughts, supplementary feeding becomes crucial to bridge these "feed gaps." Sheep being kept during a drought may be fed corn on the ground or grain in troughs. Corn, specifically, can be scattered on the ground, while other grains should be placed in troughs, providing approximately 1 meter of space per 6 sheep. Before transitioning to grain feeding, a gradual adjustment period is recommended to avoid digestive issues. This involves initially feeding a small amount of grain mixed with chaff, hay, or other roughage for 4 to 7 days, gradually increasing the grain proportion over a similar duration until a full grain ration is reached.
Supplementary feeding practices are particularly important for pregnant and lactating ewes, as their nutritional needs are elevated. Western Australia's changing climate, characterized by reduced rainfall and higher temperatures, has led to water deficiencies and a greater reliance on supplementary feeding strategies. To maintain the health and productivity of sheep during challenging climatic conditions, farmers must carefully manage their livestock's nutrition and water supply.
By providing supplementary feeding, such as corn or grain, farmers can ensure that their sheep receive adequate nutrition during droughts or periods of scarce pasture feed. This proactive approach to livestock management helps sustain sheep welfare and productivity, mitigating the negative impacts of unpredictable weather patterns.
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Frequently asked questions
Sheep in Australia eat grasses and forbs (herbaceous broadleaf flowering plants, including legumes). In the summer, when pastures are dry, sheep are often fed supplements such as grains from cereals and pulses, hay, and manufactured pellets.
The amount of food a sheep needs depends on various factors, including the temperature, the type and quality of the food, and the individual sheep's weight, life stage, general health, and activity level. According to one source, sheep generally need to consume 2-4% of their body weight in dry matter per day.
When transitioning sheep to grain-feeding, start by feeding a small amount of grain mixed with chaff, hay, or other roughage for 4-7 days, gradually increasing the amount of grain over time.
Sheep in Australia may need additional vitamin A, especially during droughts when feed supply is low. Additionally, sheep with certain health issues, such as dental disease, may require supplemental food sources to meet their nutritional needs.
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