Description
With dry matter intakes decreasing and fetal demands increasing, late gestation is potentially a time of nutritional restriction in both ewes and suckler cows. Whilst twins and triplets are clearly more common in ewes than suckler cows, the marginal rations of many suckler cow systems mean that problems with energy and protein balance are common in both species. This can have serious consequences for dam health, colostrum production, future fertility and neonatal survival. This webinar will recap the basic principles of rationing ewes and suckler cows in late gestation and progress to the role of the veterinary surgeon in helping herds and flocks to manage nutritional status in the run up to birth. Rations and metabolic profile results from both ewes and suckler cows will be discussed and interpreted.