What is the effect of backgrounding on lambing?

Backgrounding refers to the practice of providing supplemental feed to animals after weaning but before they are finished for market. In the context of lambing, backgrounding can improve the condition of ewes before they give birth, leading to a number of beneficial outcomes.

When ewes are adequately backgrounded, they are more likely to enter the lambing period in better body condition. This enhanced condition results in increased reproductive performance, higher lamb survival rates, and better overall health for both the ewes and their lambs. Specifically, feeding programs that ensure ewes have access to adequate nutrition can positively influence several factors, such as the number of lambs born and their viability.

An increase of 10% to 20% in lambing rates indicates that the ewes are more likely to successfully give birth to healthy offspring when they are in optimal health due to backgrounding. This nutritional strategy pays significant dividends not only in quantity but also in the quality of offspring produced, as well-nourished ewes tend to have stronger, healthier lambs.

Thus, the improvement in lambing rates tied to effective backgrounding practices underscores the importance of nutrition in livestock production, contributing to more successful reproductive outcomes in ewes.