Growth, fertility and wool production of young Merino ewes fed different levels from 7 to 19 months of age

G.H. Davis

Invermay Agricultural Research Centre, Mosgiel

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Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1975, 35: 145-149

Compensatory growth of 42 to 63% was demonstrated between the end of hogget wintering (12 months of age) and mating at 19 months of age. The compensatory growth was 65 to 86% by lambing at 24 months of age.

The level of feeding during winter did not affect reproductive performance at two years of age but the importance of high level feeding from the end of winter until mating to ensure satisfactory reproductive performance was demonstrated. High plane feeding between the end of winter and mating resulted in more ewes not mated after three cycles (1.7% v 18.6%) and fewer barren ewes (14.0% v 34.0%).

Restricted feeding in either winter or the post-winter period resulted in lighter fleeces, with post-winter feeding having the greater effect.

Keywords: NZSAPAB;