Key points

• ME levels are usually the best basis for assessing the quality of supplementary feeds
• High quality feed is needed to assure ewe or lamb liveweight gains
• Specialist forage crops have MEs of 12–13 MJ ME/kg DM if grazed at the correct growth stage
• Grains have MEs of 12–13.5 ME/kg DM
• Pasture silages and hay have MEs of 8.5–10.5. Most are suitable for maintenance feeding only
• For supplementary feeding to be economic, feed planning or budgeting is essential