SUCCESSFUL production of store lambs requires a prosperous and uninterrupted growth period.

Frustratingly, there are many health and management issues we have seen this year, which can af fect this process and reduce growth rates – ultimately resulting in individuals, or groups which fail to meet their target weights and dates.

This means less time and pasture for the ewes and more money spent on feed, drenches and vet bills.

Parasites still remain the top threat to growth in lamb production, with farmers everywhere counting the cost of gut roundworms, fluke and coccidiosis.

All three can occur in severe outbreaks, leading to ill thrift and even death. Roundworms have been particularly problematic recently with the long spell of wet weather, higher stocking densities and increasing problems with drench resistance.

Trace element deficiencies are a common cause of sub optimal g rowth rates in lambs and should not be overlooked.

There are great variations to the degree and type of deficiencies from farm to farm and your vet will be able to advise you on the most likely ones in your area.

Colbalt is a trace element that commonly causes ill thrift in lambs; it is also exacerbated by gut parasites.

For this reason it is commonly found as a supplement in a lot of drenches, but this will only maintain levels but won’t correct any deficiency.

Copper deficiency is a complex issue, caused not only by low levels in soil, but also from the presence of substances that impair its uptake and absorption.

Copper deficiency also varies between breeds and supplementation should never be undertaken without consulting your vet, due to the risk of toxicity.

Selenium can also occasionally cause poor g rowth and weak lambs in some areas of the country.

Disease in lambs will cause reductions in g rowth rates through poor intakes and fighting disease. Store lambs are potentially at risk of multiple problems, with the common threats being foot rot, digital dermatitis, scab, and orf.

Learning from this season is important in planning for the next.

Your vet will be able to help you in putting together a tailored flock health plan including a programme of vaccination, faecal egg counts to plan drenching and identify any resistance; and also sampling for trace element deficiencies, then supplementing accordingly.

This along with prompt identification and treatment of any disease and utilising parasite forecasting services such as NADIS, will get next year’s lambs to target weights sooner.

􀁧􀁧 Vet Viewpoint is a regular feature in our monthly sister publication Three Counties Farmer. To subscribe, call 01905 742212.