Description

Practice abstract

Gunnar and Eva Danielsson in Berghult in Southern Sweden run a lamb production with 125 ewes. They both have other jobs outside the farm and they used to have up to 250 ewes. There are much semi-natural grasslands in the area and this is the base for the farm. The farm has 50 ha semi-natural grasslands and permanent pastures on arable land, and 20 ha arable land for winter fodder production. 

Having a large proportion of semi-natural grasslands is a challenge. It’s important to get the land grazed, both for the fodder production and for compliance with requirements for agri-environmental payments. Parasite control is also important. 

One of the most important things in lamb production is finding the lambing season fitting the conditions on the farm. Gunnar has tested different times of the year for the lambing and found out that lambing in the second half of June is the best time. The pastures are grazed by the ewes early in spring (April–May). This way the grazing pressure can be kept at a high level. The grass will not reach heading and the pasture is of high quality when the ewes return later. 

The semi-natural grasslands have been grazed by sheep for many decades, yet they have low parasite levels. This is due to the grazing system which is a consequence of the lambing in June. The parasites die early in spring before the susceptible animals, i.e. lambs, are let out on the pasture. The parasite level never rises enough to be a problem. 

The downside with the system is the need for complementary fodder with silage and concentrates in order to have enough grass later in the season. But the farmer believe that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. 

Context profil