Eoghan Mollahan farms in Co. Roscommon with his father, running 100 commercial ewes and around 15 pedigree Charollais under the Lecarrow flock prefix. He also works with FRS Boyle, where he’s become a firm advocate of Natural Stockcare products among the farmers he meets.
Across the sheep calendar, Eoghan uses three Natural Stockcare products: Twin Plus ahead of tupping, Aqua Lamb at lambing, and Keto Energy for ewes under pressure around lambing time. “We find it’s all very good and we’ve seen a big difference in the last few years from using it.”
Twin Plus and Scanning Results
Eoghan gives Twin Plus four to six weeks out from tupping — and the scanning figures have responded. “The pedigrees actually scanned quite high — they scanned at 2.1 this year. The commercials are scanning at around 1.8. We use the Twin Plus and give it to them maybe four to six weeks out from tupping and we have found a big difference in the last two years from using it.”
Aqua Lamb — The First Thing Every Lamb Gets
Eoghan has been using Aqua Lamb for three years now. “The first thing every lamb is getting is the shot of iodine on the navel and we give the shot of Aqua Lamb down the throat.”
With a tight lambing system — pedigrees in January, the first 30 commercial ewes from the first week of March, and another 70 from late March into April, each batch compact at two to two and a half weeks — shed space is precious. “We’re tight on the shed space and we want lambs to be fit and healthy and get them out quick again.”
That’s where Aqua Lamb earns its keep. “We find it gives them energy, it gets them up and going. Lambs are up and sucking very quickly afterwards. You know they have their vitamins, minerals, all that kind of stuff is in it — it’s helping with scour as well and helping prevent watery mouth.”
“We are moving lambs out of the smaller pens after a day or two. If they weren’t able for that, we wouldn’t be doing it. We do find that the last two, three years we’re able to do that quicker, and we are putting it down to the Aqua Lamb.”
No Watery Mouth, No Scour
“We actually have no issues. We’ve had no scour in the last two years. Very few lambs get sick. They’re good and healthy and get them out of the shed quickly again.”
For weaker lambs, Eoghan ups the dose. “If there’s any weak lambs we give them another shot. Especially light triplets — the lambs get an extra shot for a day or two. We do find it’s a good help.”
Easy to Use and Worth the Cost
At under 50 cent per lamb, Aqua Lamb pays for itself. “Definitely. Especially in the pedigree sheep, at least you have a peace of mind when you’re giving it to them, you have yourself covered.”
“It’s very simple to give the lamb at the start. It’s just a little squirt — it’s not filling syringes and like that. It’s very easy to use and quick to use.”
Would You Recommend Aqua Lamb?
“We’ve tried a few and definitely we find Aqua Lamb is quite good. From using it myself I am pushing it in work. I find it a good seller. It is moving. There’s lots of farmers there that use it. I would definitely highly recommend it.”
To find out more about Aqua Lamb, Twin Plus and Keto Energy for your own flock, get in touch with the Natural Stockcare team or visit the full Natural Stockcare product range.
