Pasture allowance and lamb growth

K.F. Thompson, J.C. McEwan and W.H. Risk

Woodlands Research Station, 1 R.D., Invercargill and Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Invercargill

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1980, 40: 92-97

Groups of 20 Romney lambs grazing ryegrass/white clover-based pastures were offered allowances of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 kg DM/head/day for 8 to 16 weeks commencing in December, February and April. There were curvilinear relationships between lamb growth rate and pasture allowance. As lamb liveweight increased, growth rates declined at any given allowance. The implications for feed budgeting are discussed.

Pasture utilisation at each grazing was linearly correlated to liveweight gain by the relationship: Growth rate (g/day) = 260 - 2.98% utilization. The relationship appeared independent of liveweight, and its possible use in grazing management is discussed.

Keywords: NZSAPAB;

Last Updated 12-09-1998