Special Report – Time to rethink your pre-lamb

Are your ewes performance ready this season? 

In this must-listen vodcast, NZVA Sheep & Beef Cattle Branch president Alex Meban of VetEast joins Sarah to unpack everything trace elements pre-lamb — why they matter, how they help, and the benefits he’s seen from supplementing with trace elements like Multimin ® Plus Copper for Sheep. 

Tune in for a practical, expert-led discussion to help you set your flock up for a successful, productive lambing season.

Guest:

• Alex Meban, President, NZVA Sheep & Beef Cattle Branch

Host:

• Sarah Perriam-Lampp, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Country-Wide

Alex Meban, practising vet and president of the NZVA Sheep & Beef Cattle Branch, set out to better understand how trace element management can support ewe health and lamb survival in the lead-up to lambing. Drawing on years of practical on-farm experience, he’s seen how low trace element levels—often unnoticed—can quietly impact flock performance.

His focus is on being proactive, with well-timed supplementation that makes a real difference. In particular, Alex has seen positive results from using injectable products like Multimin® Plus Copper for Sheep to support ewe immunity and improve lamb vigour.

He encourages farmers to back up decisions with diagnostics—liver samples, blood tests, and mineral checks—so they’re working with the right information. Just as important, he says, is helping farmers understand why trace elements matter. When that connection is made, the benefits often speak for themselves.

While not a fix-all, trace elements are one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to support productivity—especially when paired with good feeding and body condition. With lambing just around the corner, Alex shares practical advice to help farmers reduce risk and give their ewes and lambs the best possible start.

For him, trace element planning isn’t just about avoiding problems—it’s about helping flocks reach their potential.