Balanced nutrition during late pregnancy is critical to maintaining ewe health and giving lambs the strongest possible start to life. As energy demands rise in the weeks leading up to lambing, the likelihood of seeing nutritional disorders increases, particularly under stressful conditions. Over recent seasons, many producers across Australia have pushed through prolonged periods of drought and unpredictable weather patterns by utilising containment feeding or supplementation of scarce paddocks. While these strategies are essential for maintaining stock, they can potentially introduce mineral imbalances if not carefully managed.
During late gestation, requirements for calcium and magnesium increase significantly. These minerals are important for maintaining muscle function, metabolic stability, and the ewe’s ability to lamb successfully and transition into lactation. Deficiencies can contribute to disorders such as hypocalcaemia or hypomagnesaemia, reduced feed intake, poor mothering behaviour, and compromised colostrum quality. Being on the wrong side of these disorders can result in poor lamb performance, reduced survival, and an overall rough start for the next generation.
Containment and supplementary feeding programs commonly rely on cereal grains and forages such as hay. While these feeds are effective tools for maintaining body condition score, they often contain elevated levels of potassium and phosphorus while being comparatively low in calcium and magnesium. High dietary potassium can interfere with magnesium absorption, while excess phosphorus may disrupt the ideal calcium to phosphorus ratio required for bone development, metabolic function, and milk production. At a time when the animal’s demand is naturally increasing, these conflicts can increase the chances of deficiency and associated disorders.
For this reason, targeted mineral supplementation becomes a key component of the overall feeding strategy. Products such as Supplamins Mid-Mag are designed to provide essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium and elevated levels of magnesium to help correct shortfalls sometimes seen in containment feeding or grazing deficient pastures. By supporting correct mineral balance, producers can reduce the likelihood of metabolic issues, maintain intakes and body condition, and provide the best chance at a successful lambing.
Importantly, effective management of nutrition isn’t just about preventing disease; it is about protecting productivity and animal welfare. Adequate mineral nutrition supports stronger colostrum production, improved lamb vitality, and a more consistent transition into peak milk yield. At this crucial stage in the production cycle, small changes to close the gap can potentially have a significant impact on the overall flock performance.
In challenging seasons where management pressure is already high, a reliable and practical mineral source provides confidence that ewe requirements are being met. When the nutrition is balanced correctly, both ewe and lamb are better positioned to perform, providing a solid foundation for the rest of the production cycle.
