Trial Results

Suppliments prove their worth... and more

The use of either loose lick or block mineral supplements in livestock enterprises has long been debated. Statements regarding their use cover the full spectrum ranging from being essential in reducing deficiencies and assisting production to having no noticable impact at all.

Recent independent trials conducted at the Temora Agricultural Innovation Centre have demonstrated the positive benefit of Fabstock supplements on lamb growth rates finished on high quality lucerne pasture. The weights of lambs ranged from light stores (28kg) through to trade lambs (50kg) and were finished for 6 weeks. Lambs provided with ad lib Fabstock Feedlot mix achieved growth rates up to 100gms/day higher than those not on aupplement. The increase in growth rates was achieved across all weight categories with lambs reaching growth rates around 500gms/day at stages during the trial.

Treatments were swapped toward the end of the trial and the response of Fabstock was immediate with the lambs that were previously not receiving supplement increasing growth rates and those taken off Fabstock dropping to lower levels. This indicates that mineral supplimentation of lambs needs to be maintained throughout the finishing timeframe.

The average advantage of the supplemented lambs at sale was $9 per lamb and with the cost of Fabstock for the 6 weeks averaging $1.50/head, this represents a return of 600% on the expense of Fabstock.

Definitely worth its weight and more, even on high quality pasture.

View Trial Reports:

Fabstock sheep supplement

Growth

sheep Extra $9 per head
than without Fabstock (at sale of lambs)*

Reduced wastage
Minerals & vitamins are sealed in with vegetable oil until they are digested

*independent trial conducted by

Temora Agricultural
Innovation Centre

Cost

cattle feed Up to 50% cheaper
than similiar dry licks available on the market

600% Return on Investment
on the cost of Fabstock cost (at sale of lambs)*

Mixes & Prices

Find your local lick feed supplier

Talk to a suppliment expert

1300 654 520

EMAIL US

Photosensitisation i Sheep

Photosensitisation in Sheep? – FABSTOCK can help

Kyle Sturgess, pictured, from Redline Stud @ West Wyalong contacted FABSTOCK in August '24. Kyle, who also works as a contract stock agent, had a client at Lake Cargelligo, who had ewes & lambs grazing lucerne and the lambs had developed severe facial eczema.

The condition was caused due to cowpea aphid, which had infested the lucerne. The lambs were ingesting aphids as they were grazing, and it is believed that the aphids contain a pigment that causes severe photosensitisation.

The condition was first reported on the Monaro in 2021, and it caused significant losses of lambs and longer-term impacts for those that survived 1

When Kyle contacted FABSTOCK, the lambs were struggling badly as the photos show.

We suggested Fabstock LSM ‘Summer Weeds Plus’. Whilst designed initially for sheep grazing cereal stubbles where weeds such as Hairy Panic and Heliotrope were a problem, we were able to make the necessary alterations to improve suitability for protein rich pastures such as lucerne.

Talking on Tuesday, Kyle commented:

“Whole mob, consisting of between 4 – 600 lambs where badly affected.

And they were bad. They were as bad as you think sheep could be and still be alive. 8 weeks after starting on the product (Fabstock’s LSM ‘Summers Weeds Plus’), you couldn’t even tell there’d been a problem. 8 weeks from absolutely buggered to perfect. The hair had grown back and there was no sign of scaring.

I would unfortunately say that those lambs were unmarketable, unsaleable un-anything. 8 weeks later, they could have gone straight into the marketplace and been sold, no problems.

I told the client that she was going to lose a lot, at least 10% or more. Ended up losing bugger all!”

As always, prevention is better that cure. Don’t let photosensitisation ruin your valuable livestock and more importantly, your profits.

For further information, please go to www.fabstock.com.au/summer-weeds, or talk to your nearest Fabstock distributer.

1.https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/south-east/latest-news-and-newsletter....

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