Depression of lambing percentage from mating on lucerne

I.E. Coop

Lincoln College, Canterbury

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Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1977, 37: 149-151

Two trials were conducted in which ewes were grazed on lucerne or on grass pasture for four weeks pre-mating and for the first 3 to 6 weeks of mating. In both trials lucerne depressed multiple births by 20% and increased barrenness by 2%. Some evidence was produced that lucerne is potentially more dangerous when grazed during mating rather than in the pre-mating period.

Keywords: NZSAPAB;

Last Updated 24-08-2000