WINTER BONUS MAGAZINE 2025

blockages in the urinary tract. If left untreated, bladder stones can cause severe pain, bladder rupture, and even death. Bladder stones form when there is an imbalance in the mineral content of the feed or when water intake is inadequate. Inadequate water consumption leads to concentrated urine, promoting stone formation. To prevent bladder stones we must increase water intake, make sure the mineral balance (especially calcium, phosphate, and magnesium) is correct, and add ammonium chloride to the feed to lower the urine pH. Can stud farmers use creep feeding? As long as the group stays contemporary (all animals are treated the same), stud farmers can use creep feeding as a useful tool to make sure they reach the full genetic potential of their animals. Creep feeding will not affect the animal’s performance data or hide unwanted traits if all animals are treated the same. The De Heus product to use as creep feed: The feed efficiency of a lamb decreases with age; it is, therefore, important to capitalise on the feed efficiency while the lamb is young. RumiComplete Ewe & Lamb Creep (V24945) is De Heus’s flagship product for creep feeding RumiComplete Ewe & Lamb Creep (V24945) is a complete pelleted feed with 17% crude protein, no urea, and a high mineral content. When the product is given ad lib as a creep feed, we expect intakes of 25–35 kg, depending on the management of the creep feeding system and the age of weaning. The product is also ideal to be used from six weeks before lambing, in lambing pens or camps and after lambing to increase milk production. Creep feeding is a highly effective practice that enhances lamb growth, reduces weaning stress, and improves overall production efficiency. By implementing a well-balanced creep feeding programme, producers can ensure healthier, more productive lambs that reach market weight faster, ultimately increasing profitability. If you want to learnmore about creep feeding for lambs, please contact a De Heus technical advisor for expert guidance – https://www.deheus.co.za/ meet-our-team/. www.deheus.co.za | 031 785 1575 | infosa@deheus.com the availability and quality of the pasture will dire The quality of the pasture will influence the ewes’ quality pastures, creep feeding will have a bigger Th return on investment of creep feeding will diff We must keep in mind that cre p feeding does cases, more difficult to put a return on investment Bladder stones in lambs Young ram lambs can be highly susceptible to bla to blockages in the urinary tract. If left untreated Bladder stones form when there is an imbalance inadequate water consumption leads to concentr increase water intake, ake sure the mineral b ammonium chloride to the f ed t lower the urine Can stud farmers use creep feeding? As long as the group stays contemporary (all ani tool to make sure they reach the full g netic pote dat or hide unwanted traits if all anim ls are trea The De Heus pr oduct to use as cr eep f The feed efficiency of a la efficiency while the lamb is product for creep feeding l developmental stage of a intake. RumiComplete Ewe & La urea and a high mineral c of 25-35kg, depending on product is also ideal to be lambing to increase milk pr Creep feeding is a highly improves overall producti producers can ensure he increasing profitability. If you want to learn more about creep feeding for l https://www.deheus.co.za/meet-our-team/. lambs, as we aim to provide the best nutritional value during the most critical developmental stag of a lamb’s life. Th product is highly digestible and very palatable to stimulate intake. www.agribonus.co.za Winter 2025 BONUS 69