FIELD NOTE:

Protecting Ewe Condition: Vitalise Sheep Trial Results

Spring puts massive metabolic demands on ewes. Between late pregnancy and peak lactation, ewes’ demand for key minerals skyrockets. Deficiencies, especially in Calcium and Magnesium cause sheep to go down with metabolic issues like hypocalcaemia (sleepy sickness) and hypomagnesemia (grass staggers).

Dr Samuel Dennis trialed Vitalise Sheep at Isherwood Research Station. The results highlight a smart way to protect flock health and ewe body condition.

Targeting mineral deficiencies naturally

Vitalise mineral supplements:

The free-feeding pellets containing calcium, magnesium and phosphorus plus trace elements (sodium, zinc, copper, cobalt, selenium & iodine) essential for livestock health and topping the minerals grazing can lack.

The pellets were introduced to the trial flock (twin-bearing ewes) a month prior to lambing and just as Dr Dennis started to see metabolic problems in the ewes.

“They immediately recognised what it was and ate it very happily.”

Over the course of the trial the ewes readily ate the pellets when they needed them. This self-regulating instinct was clearly demonstrated at the end of the trial when both groups got a dose. The ewes that got Vitalise through the trial didn't touch it. The control ewes immediately recognised it as something they needed and ate quite a large quantity the first night.

Field observations: energy, health, and zero metabolic cases

Throughout the spring, clear differences emerged in flock vigour and overall health. While metabolic issues began appearing in the main flock prior to supplementation, Dr Dennis reported “From the day that I gave this product to the ewes, I had no further cases all the way to lambing. That was a dramatic result, because I've always had cases of sleepy sickness and hypocalcaemia on this farm."

In the trial flock, control ewes displayed classic signs of stress during stock shifts – lagging behind, lying down, or attempting to hide in scrub. The supplemented group showed no such issues.

Blood tests confirmed a clear increase in blood magnesium levels among the supplemented ewes.

While lamb weaning weights remained equivalent (as ewes in both treatments prioritised milk production) the impact on ewe body condition was dramatic:

Test Group	Weight gain over lactation
Vitalise Group	Gained 7.9 kg
Control Group	Gained 3.1 kg

That 4.8 kg live weight advantage leaves ewes in significantly better condition at weaning.

The science: why calcium and magnesium matter

Spring pasture growth often moves faster than soil mineral uptake, creating a seasonal gap between what a lactating ewe needs and what her feed provides. When diet falls short, metabolic issues appear and put pressure on lactating ewes.

Magnesium deficiencies lead to hypomagnesemia (grass staggers) and Calcium deficiencies to hypocalcaemia (sleepy sickness).

Supplementing these minerals fills the nutritional gap. Not only did the research farm see no further cases of hypocalcaemia, the ewes gained weight because the trial group had sufficient calcium and could avoid ‘milking off her own back’.

Practical Feeding and Budgeting

A covered feeding trough surrounded by a flock of sheep

Sheep naturally self-regulate their mineral intake making feeding simple and flexible.

Feed enough for a few day using a covered trough feeder to protect pellets from rain. Ewes will feed eagerly while nutrient-deficient; once consumption slows down as their intake is satisfied, simply give them a break until demand returns.

The trial recorded an average intake of 400g to 500g per ewe across the entire spring period.

The Bottom Line

Proactive mineral supplementation delivers three clear returns: fewer ewe losses or metabolic issues over spring, increased weight gain, and better overall condition.

Want to see Dr Samuel Dennis walk through the trial setup and results? Watch the full video here.

“I'm very impressed with this product. It made a major difference to my ewes this spring, backed by trial results: clear reductions in metabolic issues, higher blood magnesium levels, and significantly higher ewe weight gain. This is a product I am incorporating into my own farm management every year.”