here is increasing evidence both from research and from commercial experience that supplementing ewes with high levels of vitamin E during pregnancy increases lamb vigour and enhances lamb growth rates.

Trials undertaken by ADAS as part of a MAFF funded sheep project investigating reducing lamb mortality in hill and upland flocks, confirm that previously recommended vitamin E levels are too low. Lambs born to supplemented ewes which had a daily intake of 100mg vitamin E during late pregnancy were, on average, suckling milk twenty five minutes earlier than those born to sheep receiving a standard level of vitamin E.

This should result in a significant improvement in the survival of lambs born outdoors in extreme weather conditions and when subjected to high levels of environmental stress. Only one lamb needs to be saved to pay for the cost of vitamin E supplementation of a flock of 200 ewes.

BOCM PAULS is recommending that ewe feeds contain 150 mg/kg vitamin E so that ewes receive 100mg vitamin E daily during late pregnancy.

Vitamin E deficiency can lead to poor fertility, unthriftiness and low disease resistance, as well as reduced vigour in lambs, stiff joints - often mistaken for joint ill - and unexplained sudden death.

The pleasing aspect of this particular research project is that it is very straightforward to implement. This has made it possible for BOCM PAULS to increase the vitamin E levels in all the ewe feeds to the full recommended levels for the benefit of sheep farmers.