EASTERN REGION
Regional Contact Member – Tom Green
I hope everyone has had a successful lambing and your lambs are all growing well. As I write this lambing in my own flock happened in the last week of January, sponging worked well with them due on the 28th and the majority lambing from the 24th with the last two lambing on the morning of the 29th. Only half a dozen or so were remarked so they should be due Valentine’s day with a couple more due with the commercials in March.
Ewes deemed to be in poorer body condition score (less than 2.5) were wormed but most did not need doing. There was more colostrum and milk this year with the ewes having had access to Lifeline buckets from eight weeks before lambing and feeding starting five weeks before the lambs were due.
They are currently enjoying life in the mothering up pens with fodder beet and hay until the weather improves and the ewes will be given a Magnesium bolus that prevents staggers and head outside (note Magnesium boluses only last three weeks so there is no point in giving them while they are in). Once out lambs will be introduced to creep feed coarse mix.
A few lambs in sets of triplets and sets of twins on shearlings developed watery mouth but the majority were saved with a soapy enema and regular oral rehydration through a stomach tube as well as antibiotics.
Although there are a few lambs with closed blazes that stick out like sore thumbs there are also one or two smart lambs beginning to show themselves so hopefully there will be something to show later this year.
The regional shows with breed classes are as follows:
Suffolk County Show – Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th May – Judge Nicola Fletcher
Rutland County Show – Sunday 1st June – Judge Kay Carpenter
Royal Norfolk Show – Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th June – Judge John Dixon
Blaston Show – Sunday 29th June – Judge TBC
Heckington Show – Sunday 27th July – Judge TBC
Leicestershire County Show – Bank Holiday Monday 25th August – Judge James Leonard
The society will be having a breed promotion stand at the Royal Norfolk Show this year so I will be asking for volunteers to help me man this nearer the time.
I would like to welcome our new members who have joined since the last Journal, Sophie
Sotheby, Linsey Knocker, Helen Murphy and Isaac Curtis, Rose Hart and Rebecca Morcombe and wish you all well on your journey into the world of Jacobs.
Good luck to anyone still lambing and if I can be any assistance to anyone please do not hesitate to contact to me on 07800 817850 or