Finishing lambs on cultivated pastures: Lick composition

As part of his sheep nutrition legacy, the late Dr Jasper Coetzee in an article referred to a range of factors affecting the performance of livestock on green grazing. Among them are the grazing’s moisture content, availability, height, and digestibility.

- By Sjoerd ten Cate,

Given the variability of all these factors, rounding off lambs on cultivated green grazing often results in a disappointing outcome, no matter how good the grazing is. Many of the disadvantages he highlighted can be mitigated by way of a suitable feed supplement (which also includes licks). This article focusses on the basic principles applicable to high-quality feed supplements on green grazing.

Lick principles

Not many people realise this, but licks are actually there to optimise the utilisation of roughage. Licks firstly satisfy the needs of the roughage-digesting microbes in the rumen, as they are the main digesters of the roughage the animal consumes. The second function of a lick is to address the needs of the animal itself, depending on its condition and stage of production. Nevertheless, unlocking maximum nutritional value from the roughage source remains the main goal. The conversion of roughage into food that humans can utilise is precisely why ruminants are so important to humanity.

Several elements work together to boost the efficacy of a green grazing lick. Some are essential while others are optional. Optional components improve efficacy but make licks more expensive. The question is whether the additional cost is economically justifiable? Producers need to do their homework to reach the correct answer.

Phosphorus (essential)

Fertilised green pastures contain more phosphorus than South African veld grazing, the latter being highly phosphorus deficient. The finishing process requires a lot from lambs, making phosphorus supplementation indispensable.

Phosphorus supplementation addresses the following production facets: