Pine Shavings’ Natural Antibiotic Properties Help Farmers Save More Lambs and Reduce Antibiotics, Time, Labour, and Costs.
As lambing season starts across the UK, sheep farmers are focused on finding ways to reduce antibiotic use without compromising the health and survival of their lambs. Infections such as watery mouth and joint-ill are common threats to newborn lambs, particularly during indoor lambing.
Straw bedding can often harbour pathogens and create damp, bacteria-friendly environments, but pine shavings, offer a cleaner, safer alternative with natural antibacterial properties. That is why more and more sheep farmers looking to combat these issues, are turning to 100% pine shavings such as Stockmax, as they offer a natural and highly effective bedding solution.
What makes Stockmax pine shavings stand out is their natural antibacterial properties. Stockmax has been proven to eradicate harmful strains of bacteria such as E. coli and E. faecium, both of which are common causes of infection in lambing pens.
One farm benefiting from Stockmax is Parsonage Farm, located in the Forest of Bowland AONB, North Lancashire. Owners Richard and Liz Seed, who manage 40 pure Beltex ewes and 1,000 Texel cross and mule ewes, have been using Stockmax in their lambing pens for several years. They initially switched to Stockmax to reduce cases of joint-ill in their flock.
“We use Stockmax in all lambing pens, purely for health and hygiene after it was recommended by another farmer,” Liz Seed explains. “Since switching, we no longer have issues with joint-ill, and we also find it much easier to manage than straw. Stockmax is highly absorbent, reducing lamb mortality, and it’s quicker to bed the pens.”
Although Stockmax is more expensive than straw, Liz says the benefits far outweigh the costs. The savings in time, labour, and improved lamb health have been significant for their operation.
Stockmax’s effectiveness has been supported by independent studies. A 2016 study by Nottingham Trent University found that while E. coli survived in straw bedding, it was undetectable in pine shavings. Further, a 2018 study by Harper Adams University showed that lamb survival rates were 18% higher in pens bedded with pine shavings compared to straw, particularly during the critical first 48 hours of life.
Stockmax shavings are made from Scots Pine timber, which is dried at sterilising temperatures to eliminate bacteria and spores. This sterilisation process creates a warm, dry, and comfortable bedding environment, promoting lamb health and increasing survival rates.
With increased pressure from the UK government to reduce antibiotic use in livestock, including sheep, farmers need alternatives that maintain animal welfare while lowering reliance on medication. Although antibiotics are essential for treating life-threatening conditions, many infections can be prevented by improving hygiene in lambing pens.
For more information about Stockmax and to find a list of suppliers, visit https://www.stockmaxshavings.com.