Influence of feeding post-lambing on ewe and lamb performance at
grazing
P.V. Rattray; K.T. Jausch, D.M. Duganzich, K.S. MacLean, R.J.
Lynch
Whatawhata Hill Country Research Centre, Hamilton; Ruakura
Agricultural Research Centre, Hamilton
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1982, 42: 179-182
In each of 2 years mixed age Coopworth ewes (1978, 58 kg; 1979,
55 kg) were randomised immediately before lambing and offered a range of
herbage allowances (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 kg DM ewe) from mixed pasture of
contrasting mass (1978, 2300 v 4140; 1979, 2100 v 3600 kg/ha) and
lucerne (1978, 4390 kg/ha; 1979, 3000 kg/ha) until weaning at 10 weeks
post-lambing. Final ewe weight, weight change, weight of lamb weaned
per ewe and ewe fleece weight all increased with allowance. Lamb
weaning weights started to level off above 8 kg DM/ewe but ewe gains and
fleece weight continued to increase. On the higher-mass pasture ewes
were lighter in 1978 and lambs were lighter in 1979. Lucerne-fed ewes
lost more weight and produced less wool, but had similar (1978) or
heavier (1979) lambs at weaning than pasture-fed ewes. The importance
of feeding during lactation on lamb weaning weight was highlighted and
management implications discussed.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
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Last Updated 03-05-1997
