Media release no.
Sheep producers whose weaners are struggling in the dry conditions should consider supplementary feeding, as the digestibility of available feed and the ability of the animals to process dry feed deteriorates. Agriculture Western Australia veterinary officer Don Moir said the incidence of weaner conditions falling for no obvious reason, known as weaner ill thrift, was often due to a nutritional cause even when dry feed was plentiful. The underlying basis for the problem is often nutritional - if lambs have not reached a body weight of 25 kilograms when they go onto dry summer feed, their immature digestive systems can't efficiently use the pasture. Mr Moir said lupins were the most suitable high protein feed supplement. He recommended growers who considered their sheep as candidates for ill thrift provide lupins initially at the rate of 100 grams per head per day, fed out once or twice weekly.