Experienced sheep farmers know that a successful lambing season begins well before any lambs are born – it starts in the weeks leading up to tupping. Ensuring ewes and rams are in prime condition with the right nutrition before tupping can pay dividends in terms of fertility, conception rates, and lamb viability. One effective strategy is supplementing the flock with a targeted pre-tupping feed bucket. Scotmin ProPlus Pre-Tupping is a high-energy protein and mineral lick formulated specifically to meet the needs of both ewes and rams in the lead up to and during the tupping period. In this blog post, we'll explore why the pre-tupping phase is so critical, the role of key nutrients in reproduction, the benefits of using Scotmin ProPlus, and practical tips on how and when to use it to maximize your lambing success.
Why Pre-Tupping Matters
Timing and preparation before breeding have a huge impact on flock performance. In fact, the 10 weeks or so before tupping are some of the most influential in optimising the bodily functions that impact on sheep farming profitability – namely digestion, immunity, reproduction, and foetal growth. Paying attention to nutrition during this window helps ensure ewes come into oestrus (heat) on schedule and conceive successfully, and that rams are fit for the rigorous work of mating.
Body condition is key. Over-fat ewes and overly thin ewes never perform well, with many of them taking longer than expected to come on to heat when rams are turned in. Ideally, mature ewes should be around body condition score (BCS) 3 at mating, and rams (tups) about BCS 3.5. This optimal condition balances fertility – neither obesity nor poor condition – so that ewes ovulate readily and rams have stamina. (Rams will lose some weight during the mating period due to their effort, so entering tupping carrying a bit extra condition is beneficial.) Starting to manage nutrition and BCS well in advance (8–10 weeks prior to tupping) gives you time to sort any under-condition ewes (needing additional feeding or “flushing”) or over-conditioned ones (needing more exercise or less rich diet) before breeding begins.
Another reason pre-tupping nutrition matters is that pasture alone may not meet all micronutrient needs during this critical period. Foraging is an excellent feed base but is highly variable and often deficient in key trace elements. In most cases, foraging by itself often falls short in providing the essential trace elements required to fully support the immune system, digestion, reproductive health, and growth of breeding ewes and rams. In fact, most forage is deficient in at least one critical trace element—typically cobalt, copper, iodine, or selenium. Inadequate trace element levels can hurt fertility (in both ewes and tups), reduce conception or scanning percentages, and lead to weaker, less thrifty lambs. This is why strategic supplementation before tupping is so important – it fills the nutritional gaps, ensuring the flock has everything required for successful breeding. By investing in the pre-tupping phase, you set the stage for more ewes lambing early, higher lambing percentages (more lambs conceived per ewe), and robust pregnancies that carry to term. In short, prepping your flock’s nutrition ahead of mating greatly improves the odds of a smooth, fruitful lambing season.
The Role of Key Nutrients in Fertility
Optimal fertility and embryo development depend on a balanced supply of energy, protein, and micronutrients. During late summer and autumn, as ewes are flushed for breeding and rams prepare for mating, certain nutrients play outsized roles in reproductive success:
-
Energy & Body Condition: Ewes require sufficient energy intake to reach and maintain target BCS for breeding. Under-conditioned ewes may fail to cycle or have delayed heats. Scotmin ProPlus buckets supply high levels of energy from molasses sugars and protected fat, giving ewes an extra boost during flushing. This helps thin ewes gain weight and ensures all ewes have the stamina for conception and early pregnancy. Adequate energy also supports rams, who need endurance for covering multiple ewes.
-
Protein (Bypass Protein): Quality protein is essential for ovulation and early embryo development. Ewes in flushing and early gestation benefit from protein that is not fully degraded in the rumen (so it can directly support the animal). ProPlus Pre-Tupping uses high-quality digestible undegradable protein (DUP) from hypro soya to complement grazed pasture. This bypass protein provides essential amino acids to support egg quality and uterine health, and it aids rams in producing strong, viable sperm. A blend of DUP and a controlled amount of urea in the bucket helps balance highly fermentable grass diets, ensuring rumen microbes and the animals both get the protein they need for reproduction.
-
Trace Minerals: A full range of trace elements is critical to reproductive function. Scotmin ProPlus is fortified with all the key minerals to encourage ovulation and support fertility. Important examples include:
-
Selenium (Se) – Aids fertility in both sexes. Even a mild selenium deficiency can lead to conception failure or early embryo loss (and in rams, poor sperm production). ProPlus provides selenium to ensure proper conception and to support the immune system of breeding stock.
-
Zinc (Zn) – Critical for male fertility (sperm development and quality) and also for skin and hoof health. A deficiency in zinc can compromise sperm production and quality, reducing a ram’s breeding success. Adequate zinc in the diet, supplied via the lick, helps tups maintain high semen quality throughout tupping.
-
Cobalt (Co) – Needed for rumen microbes to produce Vitamin B₁₂, which is vital for energy metabolism. Cobalt is linked to ovulation and foetal development; it promotes egg and foetal production, and lamb vigour after birth. In short, cobalt ensures ewes have enough B₁₂ for proper energy use, leading to stronger estrus cycles and lively, vigorous lambs.
-
Iodine (I) – Essential for thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism and reproductive function. Ewes low in iodine during breeding can suffer from reduced fertility, goitre, and lamb weakness or even mortality in offspring. Including iodine in a pre-tupping supplement helps prevent subtle deficiencies that could otherwise result in weak newborns or higher lamb losses.
-
Phosphorus (P) – Often overlooked, P is important for energy transfer and skeletal development. Phosphorus shortages in grazing livestock can impair fertility. Scotmin ProPlus supplies generous levels of phosphorus alongside other minerals to support bone health and reproductive processes (phosphorus is especially tied to efficient energy use during pregnancy).
-
-
Vitamins & Omega-3: Breeding stock also require certain vitamins and beneficial fats. Vitamin E works closely with selenium as an antioxidant, protecting reproductive tissues and embryos from oxidative damage. It also boosts immune function in ewes, which can improve conception rates and help sustain pregnancies. ProPlus buckets are enriched with Vitamin E to bolster these effects. Additionally, Omega-3 fatty acids (notably DHA/EPA) have been shown to improve egg quality and embryo viability. Scotmin includes salmon oil as a natural source of Omega-3, to support egg development and lamb vitality. This means ewes on ProPlus have a better chance of producing healthy eggs that develop into strong embryos, and ultimately yield vigorous lambs. Omega-3s also have anti-inflammatory benefits that can aid overall ewe health during breeding.
In summary, providing these nutrients in the correct balance before and during tupping addresses the physiological needs of the ewe (for ovulation, conception, and carrying embryos) and the ram (for sperm production and mating fitness). It closes the gap left by grass-only diets, ensuring that no critical vitamin or mineral is lacking at mating time. A product like Scotmin ProPlus Pre-Tupping conveniently delivers high energy, protein, and a broad spectrum of vitamins and trace elements in one package, available free-choice to the animals 24/7.
Benefits of Scotmin ProPlus Pre-Tupping
Scotmin ProPlus Pre-Tupping high-energy protein buckets are designed for free-access feeding to breeding ewes and tups before and during the mating season. Each tub provides a molassed blend of energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins formulated to promote reproductive success.
Feeding Scotmin ProPlus Pre-Tupping in the run-up to mating yields several tangible benefits for your flock’s fertility and future lamb crop:
-
Optimum Fertility in Ewes and Rams: This supplement lick is designed to promote optimum fertility in both the ewe and tup at tupping time. By delivering a balanced nutritional boost, it helps more ewes get in lamb on the first cycle and keeps rams in top breeding condition. Trace minerals like selenium and zinc support hormonal and sperm function, so conception rates improve. In practice, flocks on a good pre-tupping supplement often see tighter mating patterns and higher percentages of ewes holding to service (fewer repeats). Adequately fed tups also have the libido and endurance to serve their allotment of ewes efficiently.
-
Higher Ovulation Rates: One goal of pre-tupping feeding (often called “flushing” when increasing a ewe’s nutrition before mating) is to stimulate the ewe to release more eggs. Scotmin ProPlus is formulated with this in mind – its full range of minerals and vitamins encourage ovulation. Improved ovulation means a greater chance of twin or multiple pregnancies in well-conditioned ewes. The high-energy ingredients in ProPlus give an extra push to the ewe’s system, translating to better estrus activity and egg production.
-
Improved Embryo Implantation & Viability: Early pregnancy losses (failure of fertilized eggs to implant or embryos to survive past a few weeks) can significantly reduce lambing outcomes. Scotmin ProPlus addresses this by providing the micronutrients that support embryo viability. For example, generous levels of phosphorus, vitamin E, and selenium in the bucket help support the reproductive system by improving ovulation, implantation and lamb survival. In other words, not only are more eggs fertilized, but those embryos are more likely to implant properly in the uterus and continue developing. Minerals like selenium help prevent embryonic mortality and vitamin E supports a healthy uterine environment for the embryo to grow. The result is a higher retention of pregnancies – ewes stay in lamb once they conceive, leading to more lambs born come lambing time.
-
Stronger, Healthier Lambs at Birth: The advantages of pre-tupping nutrition carry right through gestation to lambing. Ewes that receive adequate trace elements and Omega-3 prior to and during mating produce embryos that develop into vigorous fetuses. Producers often observe that lambs from well-supplemented ewes are lively at birth and have higher survival rates, thanks to better placenta development and nutrient transfer during pregnancy. The inclusion of salmon oil in ProPlus specifically aims to enhance lamb vitality. Likewise, cobalt and iodine in the mix contribute to proper fetal growth and thyroid function, reducing the incidence of weak or undersized lambs. Ultimately, using ProPlus helps ensure that when lambing day arrives, you have a barn full of strong lambs and fewer problems with things like weak lamb syndrome or stillbirths.
-
Balancing Pasture Deficiencies: Beyond direct fertility benefits, Scotmin ProPlus provides an insurance policy against the nutritional shortfalls of autumn grazing. It is carefully balanced with vitamins, minerals and trace elements to let livestock achieve optimal performance. For example, if local forage is low in selenium or iodine, the tub makes up for it and prevents the silent losses in performance those deficiencies would cause. By licking the molasses-based supplement, ewes consume the extra nutrients they need without being overfed or needing expensive concentrate feed. This keeps the flock healthier overall, which indirectly improves breeding outcomes (healthier ewes are more fertile and carry pregnancies to term more reliably).
-
Convenience and Cost-Effectiveness: An added benefit is how easy and economical ProPlus Pre-Tupping is to use. The buckets can be simply placed in the field, allowing sheep to help themselves 24 hours a day as needed. This free-access method means even shy or lower-ranking ewes get a chance to consume the supplement over time. The feeding rate is only about 30–50 g per head per day – just a few mouthfuls – which works out to roughly 3–5 pence in cost per ewe per day. For a few pence invested each day, you stand to gain significantly more lambs and better thriving lambs, making it a very cost-effective management tool. The tubs come in 20 kg and 80 kg sizes, so you can choose based on flock size (larger flocks or fields may use multiple 20 kg tubs spread out, or the big 80 kg tubs). There is no need for daily hand-feeding or complex feed rations – the ewes and rams will lick as needed, and the product’s formulation limits overconsumption. In short, it’s a low-labor way to enhance your flock’s nutrition at a critical time.
By checking all these boxes – fertility, ovulation, embryo survival, lamb vigor, and practical ease – Scotmin ProPlus Pre-Tupping acts as a comprehensive aid to better breeding results. It focuses only on what sheep need for tupping, without any unnecessary ingredients, and it avoids adding copper (which is deliberately omitted due to sheep’s sensitivity) unless needed, making it safe for all breeds. The benefits accrue as healthier pregnancies and more live lambs on the ground, which is every sheep farmer’s goal.
How and When to Use It
To get the most out of ProPlus Pre-Tupping buckets, it's important to use them as part of a broader pre-breeding plan. Here are some practical tips on timing and application:
-
Start Early: Introduce the pre-tupping buckets well before the rams go in. Nutritional preparations ideally begin about 8–10 weeks prior to the mating season, so that ewes can steadily improve condition and mineral status. In many flocks, farmers will start offering ProPlus tubs at least 4–6 weeks before tupping and continue throughout the mating period. This ensures that by the time breeding starts (whether in August, September, or later depending on your system), the ewes’ bodies are primed with full nutrient stores and the rams have been built up for peak fertility. Don't wait until the last minute – proactive supplementation allows time for improvements in BCS and trace element levels to take effect.
-
Placement and Access: Distribute the lick tubs in areas where your sheep congregate. In the first week or so, placing the buckets near watering points or loafing areas can help encourage curious ewes to start licking. Once they recognize it as feed, you can space buckets out in the grazing paddock. Use enough buckets to avoid crowding – a common guideline is one 80 kg tub per roughly 40–50 ewes (or one 20 kg tub per ~10–15 ewes), though you should adjust based on your flock’s behavior. The goal is for all animals, including shy ewes and younger stock, to have a chance to consume the supplement. Check the tubs regularly; if one is emptied quickly, provide additional tubs so intake is consistent. Also, situate the tubs on dry, level ground if possible, to prevent waste or them getting stuck in mud.
-
Monitor Intake: While ProPlus is a self-regulated feed, it’s wise to monitor how much your sheep are consuming, especially at the start. The expected intake is about 30–50 grams per sheep per day (roughly two heaped tablespoons). If intakes are significantly lower, you might need to reposition the tubs or ensure the product is palatable (rain can harden some molassed licks – if this happens, turn the tub on its side or break the surface crust to release fresh material). If intakes are higher than 50g/head/day consistently, it could indicate a particular nutrient deficiency in the flock – or simply that the sheep enjoy the molasses! In that case, they may slow down after their immediate needs are met. By keeping an eye on consumption, you can gauge how well the supplement is being utilized and estimate when tubs need replacing.
-
Integrate with Flock Management: Using pre-tupping buckets should complement other management practices. For instance, at 10–12 weeks pre-tupping, you’ll likely be assessing ewe body condition and grouping ewes by condition score. Use that opportunity to allocate ProPlus tubs to the groups that need extra nutrition the most (e.g. the thinner ewes might get access first). At around 8 weeks pre-tupping, many farmers will also address trace element status via blood tests or boluses if severe deficiencies are known. If you choose to bolus ewes with a long-acting mineral supplement, continue to offer ProPlus as well – the two strategies can work together, with the feed bucket filling any dietary gaps day-to-day. Also, ensure rams are not overlooked: give tups access to the tubs on the same schedule so that for several weeks pre-mating they too are building up reserves (remember, it takes over seven weeks for a ram to produce new sperm, so improving his diet a week before turnout won’t help that mating – start earlier).
-
During Tupping: Keep the buckets out in the pasture the entire time the rams are with the ewes. The breeding period is high-stress and high-demand for nutrients – rams can lose condition rapidly, and ewes are undergoing early gestation changes. ProPlus will continue to provide extra energy (to help tups keep going and to “flush” any ewes that haven’t settled yet) as well as minerals like phosphorus and calcium that support embryo implantation. The cost of feeding remains low during these weeks (only a few pence per head daily), and it can make the difference in holding pregnancies. Once rams are removed and all ewes are confirmed in lamb (for example, after scanning), you can decide whether to switch the ewes to a mid-pregnancy mineral or continue with the buckets if pasture quality is poor. Many farmers will move to a specific pre-lambing bucket or cake in the final 6–8 weeks of gestation, but the ProPlus tubs have done their job by then – getting the flock safely in lamb.
By following these guidelines, Scotmin ProPlus Pre-Tupping becomes an easy-to-use tool in your breeding management. Always introduce any new feed gradually and observe your animals. The molasses base of ProPlus makes it very palatable, so most flocks take to it readily. If you have never used a lick bucket before, you’ll find that after an initial curiosity, the sheep will incorporate it into their routine. They tend to consume what they need and then back off, so trust their instincts – the formulation is designed to prevent overconsumption. And don’t forget to provide free-access roughage and water as usual; the buckets are a supplement, not a substitute for forage.
Final Thoughts
For smallholders and seasoned sheep farmers alike, optimizing the pre-tupping period can yield big rewards when lambing time arrives. Simply put, well-nourished ewes and rams produce more lambs and stronger lambs. Using a targeted supplement like Scotmin ProPlus Pre-Tupping is a practical, cost-effective way to cover all the nutritional bases – energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins – that drive fertility and early foetal health. It takes the guesswork out of pre-mating nutrition by providing a balanced lick that sheep can consume at will, day or night. By investing in your flock’s condition and micronutrient status before mating, you're stacking the odds in favor of a successful breeding season.
As you prepare for tupping, consider your flock’s specific needs: check body conditions, evaluate your forage quality, and consult with a nutritionist or vet if you suspect any particular deficiencies (for example, farms in areas known to be low in selenium or iodine should be especially proactive). ProPlus Pre-Tupping buckets can then be deployed as a broad-spectrum booster to support those needs. The outcome of this preparation will be evident at scanning and lambing – higher conception rates, fewer empty ewes, and lively, healthy lambs born without setbacks.
In the challenging economics of sheep farming, every extra lamb weaned can make a difference. Pre-tupping supplementation is about unlocking that potential: it helps each ewe perform to her genetic capacity and each ram cover his quota successfully. With proper pre-tupping nutrition, you're setting your flock up for a tighter lambing period and more uniform, vigorous lambs that thrive. That means less hassle and more profit come spring. So, take the time in the autumn to “feed for fertility” – your future lamb crop will thank you for it. Here’s to a productive tupping season and an even better lambing season ahead!
