[Liz Kershaw]

I'd like to get an analysis of our soil to see if we are lacking any trace elements. Has anyone found a good provider of this service, and if we do need to supplement, what's the best mineral block/bucket? We're not lambing this year as we've run out of land but I don't want to sell any of the sheep as there's a strong possibility of renting the big field next door in a month or so. So, I need to make sure they're getting maximum nutrition until we can expand their area.

[twizzel]

Some people find it better to bolus if there's a known deficiency. We had a problem with VitB12 deficiency last year in some nearly fat lambs, vet advised that we always have buckets with VitB and B12 in as a precaution now. I like Mole Valley's range of licks as they include both these vitamins as standard in most buckets. For an all round good bucket I like the Feet and Fertility one as even if you aren't breeding it's got biotin for hoof health as well as all the vits and mins. At the moment my ewes and lambs have a Downland Opti Lix energy bucket (like Crystalyx I've read) and a Mole Valley high mag bucket.

[Liz Kershaw]

Thanks that's really helpful - I was bewildered with choice when I looked.

[farmershort]

Soil analysis is only part of the picture I think... And maybe not the most accurate part. Just because the nutrient are in the soul doesn't mean a) the pasture can extract them and b) the sheep are processing them.

My next step will be tissue testing some areas of one of our fields, and then later fodder testing the hay.

Probably further supplementing this with blood testing if there's remaining doubt.

For company recommendations,  we need a location.

[twizzel]

Thanks that's really helpful - I was bewildered with choice when I looked.

Mole Valley have a really useful guide to their mineral and feed buckets, showing composition and when to feed etc-
http://www.molevalleyfarmers.com/cms-webapp/userfiles/file/Farm%20Guides/Mole%20Valley%20Farmers%20MVF%20Mineral%20Buckets%20Feed%20Buckets%20and%20Feed%20Blocks%20Guide.pdf

[farmers wife]

Because we are organic and pasture fed we use Rockies salt blocks  you can get a colbalt one and multi vit.  The sheep love them.  We make a little timber holder to keep it off the floor.  Also a mix of seaweed meal/salt /diatomaceous earth mix.  Seaweed is excellent but doesnt carry any selenium. 


Our tests came back acceptable however last yr we found lambs were seriously deficient there are a number of poss reasons - ie we bought in-lamb ewes from N. Wales so cant comment on the management of the stock there.  If we get issues this year then our stock will not be up to scratch and theyll have to be replaced.


If you are rural and have a holding number - there are grants for full soil analysis through some of the grant schemes depending on the size of your plot.  If you are small then it may be quicker to get on with it but bigger holdings there are improvement grants under LEADER - speak to the LA on this.


Soil analysis should be done in all corners of the fields as there will be variations in areas. Unsure whether DIY or bringing in a professional is best. 


http://www.eurofins.co.uk/agro/soil-health/

[CarolineJ]

We bolus, because we're very, very deficient in copper, cobalt and selenium up here.  If you go down that route though, you have to be ultra-careful about really making sure they don't get anything with additional copper in.  Cosecure are good:  https://www.cosecureboluses.com/

[Liz Kershaw]

I'm in Herefordshire. Am happy to pay for a decent kit/analysis. We buy in hay and have to have what small bale is available at the time. I'm keen to know what deficiencies there might be so I can correct it.

This leads on to a related question - most forums etc talk about letting land rest and not keeping sheep always on the same patch of land. Apart from worm issues, why is keeping sheep on one patch of land not recommended?