Can a herb and white clover mix improve the performance of multiple-bearing ewes and their lambs to weaning?

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 513 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. Kenyon ◽  
P. D. Kemp ◽  
K. J. Stafford ◽  
D. M. West ◽  
S. T. Morris
Keyword(s):  
Heat Production ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Productive Performance ◽  
Maximum Heat ◽  
Nutritional Treatment ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation

The productive performance of highly fecund ewes and their progeny on ryegrass-based swards is limited in late pregnancy and lactation. Alternative herbages, such as chicory, plantain and red and white clover, have the potential to improve performance levels. In the present study, 49 twin- and 42 triplet-bearing Romney composite ewes bred to either Suffolk or Romney rams were allocated to one of three nutritional treatments from Day 131 of pregnancy [19 twin ewes on a ryegrass–white clover sward mix (Rye/WC); 16 twin ewes on a plantain–ryegrass sward mix (Plant/Rye); 14 twin ewes on a chicory–plantain–red and white clover sward mix (Herb); 13 triplet ewes on Rye/WC; 16 triplet ewes on Plant/Rye; and 13 triplet ewes on Herb] and remained on these sward treatments with their lambs until 75 days after the midpoint of the lambing period (L75). Nutritional treatment had no effect (P > 0.05) on ewe liveweight, body condition score (BCS) or non-esterified fatty acid and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations on Day 145 of pregnancy. At L75, ewes on the Herb treatment sward were heavier than ewes on Plant/Rye (70.75 ± 1.31 v. 61.43 ± 1.28 kg, respectively) and had a higher BCS than ewes on either Plant/Rye or Rye/WC (2.7 ± 0.1, 2.2 ± 0.1 and 2.3 ± 0.1, respectively). Sire type and nutritional treatment had no affect (P > 0.05) on lamb birthweight or weight at L75. At L20, lambs born to ewes on the Herb sward treatment were heavier than those on the Rye/WC and Plant/Rye treatments (8.74 ± 0.23 v. 7.98 ± 0.23 and 7.79 ± 0.22 kg, respectively; P < 0.05). Neither birth rank, sire type nor ewe treatment had any effect (P > 0.05) on maximum heat production on a per kg liveweight basis or total heat production. Romney-sired lambs on the Herb sward treatment had higher (P < 0.05) survival rates than those on the Rye/WC sward treatment (97.8% v. 61.7%, respectively). However, no such relationship was observed in lambs born to Suffolk sires (79.8% v. 84.8%, respectively). The survival response resulted in greater (P < 0.05) total liveweight of Romney-sired lambs at L75 per ewe on the Herb nutritional treatment than on the Rye/WC treatment (61.6 ± 5.0 v. 36.7 ± 4.6 kg, respectively) a relationship not observed (P > 0.05) in Suffolk-sired lambs. In conclusion, the present study indicates that there is the potential to improve the productive performance of multiple-bearing ewes and their lambs by grazing on a Herb sward mix.

scholarly journals Maternal Metabolic Demands Caused by Pregnancy and Lactation: Association with Productivity and Offspring Phenotype in High-Yielding Dairy Ewes

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 295 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Luis Pesántez-Pacheco ◽  
Ana Heras-Molina ◽  
Laura Torres-Rovira ◽  
María Victoria Sanz-Fernández ◽  
Consolación García-Contreras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Productive Performance ◽  
Multiple Pregnancies ◽  
Dairy Sheep ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Singleton Pregnancies

Pregnancy and lactation, especially when concurrent, create a rather metabolically demanding situation in dairy ruminants, but little is known about their effects on offspring phenotype and milk yield. Here, we evaluated the impact of pregnancy and lactation on the metabolic traits and productive performance of Lacaune dairy sheep and their offspring. Productive performance was measured in terms of milk yield, body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), and size. Productivity was assessed during mid-pregnancy (75 ± 5 d) and late pregnancy (142 ± 4 d) and at 52 ± 5 d in the postpartum period. During pregnancy, high-yielding ewes had higher BW, BCS, plasma glucose, cholesterol, β-OHB, and NEFA than low-yielding ewes, but lower levels of lactate and urea. High-yielding animals had lower BCS after lambing, but their lambs showed greater growth. Productivity during lactation was affected by ewe age and parity: Mature ewes (but not maiden sheep) whose BCS increased steeply during pregnancy yielded more milk in the subsequent lactation than those whose BCS did not increase. Lamb BW and size were positively associated with milk yield in the subsequent lactation. Mature ewes had higher yields than maiden sheep, and mature ewes with multiple pregnancies produced more milk than those with singleton pregnancies. Ewes with male singleton pregnancies also showed higher yield than those with female singletons. These results demonstrate that high-yielding dairy sheep, when appropriately fed and managed, can adequately cover the metabolic demands of pregnancy and high milk production (even when concurrent) without losing productivity.

Effect of offering concentrate supplement in late pregnancy, under conditions of unrestricted herbage, on the performance of multiple-bearing ewes and their lambs to weaning

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 485 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. Kenyon ◽  
A. J. Wall ◽  
D. L. Burnham ◽  
K. J. Stafford ◽  
D. M. West ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Production ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Total Heat ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Heat Production Rate ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Concentrate Treatment

The aim of the present study was to determine if offering ewes a commercial concentrate supplement under conditions of unrestricted perennial ryegrass–white clover herbage availability would increase newborn lamb heat production, colostrum intake and subsequent liveweight. Forty seven twin- and 43 triplet-bearing Romney composite ewes (1/2 Romney, 1/4 Finn, 1/4 Texel) were randomly allocated to either non-concentrate or concentrate treatment groups (twin non-concentrate, n = 24; twin concentrate, n = 23; triplet non-concentrate, n = 22; triplet concentrate, n = 21) from Day 79 of pregnancy. Concentrate-fed ewes were offered an increasing amount of concentrate sheep pellets from Day 79 until Day 90 of pregnancy, at which stage ewes were offered 400 g/day per ewe until they lambed. Pre- and post-grazing herbage masses did not differ (P > 0.05) between non-concentrate (2162 ± 54 and 1704 ± 47 kg DM/ha) and concentrate (2135 ± 49 and 1771 ± 42 kg DM/ha) ewes. Ewe nutritional treatment had no effect (P > 0.05) on ewe liveweight, body condition score, β-hydroxybutyate or non-esterified fatty acid concentrations in late pregnancy. Offering concentrates increased (P < 0.05) the birthweight of triplet-born lambs (4.4 ± 0.1 v. 3.9 ± 0.1 kg for those born to concentrate and non-concentrate ewes, respectively) but had the opposite effect on twins (4.8 ± 0.1 v. 5.2 ± 0.1 kg, respectively). There was no difference (P > 0.05) in maximal heat production, total heat production, rate to reach maximal heat production, and IgG concentrations at 24–36 h of age or liveweight and survival of lambs born to ewes offered concentrates or not. Twin-born lambs had greater (P < 0.05) liveweight and total heat production and had higher (P < 0.05) survival rates than triplet-born lambs. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that there are only minor beneficial effects from offering concentrate supplements to ewes in late pregnancy under conditions of unrestricted herbage availability and it is not a viable option for farmers to utilise.

Effects of twin-bearing ewe nutritional treatments on ewe and lamb performance to weaning

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 406 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. Kenyon ◽  
S. J. Pain ◽  
P. G. Hutton ◽  
C. M. C. Jenkinson ◽  
S. T. Morris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Total Weight ◽  
Offspring Performance ◽  
Nutritional Treatment ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Maintenance Requirements ◽  
Potential Interactions

Nutrition of the ewe at various stages of pregnancy is known to affect ewe and offspring performance. However, little is known regarding the potential interactions among differing maternal nutrition regimens in early and mid–late pregnancy. The objective of the present study was to examine the effects and potential interactions of three pastoral nutritional treatments from Day 21 of pregnancy (P21) to P50 (Sub-maintenanceP21–50 (total liveweight change achieved, SMP21-50, –0.15 ± 0.02 kg/day) v. MaintenanceP21–50 (MP21-50,–0.02 ± 0.02 kg/day) v. Ad libitumP21–50 (AdP21-50,0.15 ± 0.02 kg/day) and two pastoral nutritional treatments from P50 to P139 [MaintenanceP50–139 (designed to match change in conceptus mass, total liveweight change achieved, 0.19 ± 0.01 kg/day) v. Ad libitumP50–139 (0.26 ± 0.01 kg/day)] on 382 twin-bearing ewes and their offspring until 91 days after the mid-point of lambing (L91). Ewe liveweight and condition scores in pregnancy and lactation, and lamb liveweights, indices of colostrum uptake and survival were recorded. There were no interactions between nutritional periods for lamb liveweight, apparent colostrum intake and survival, and ewe liveweight, condition score and total weight of lamb per ewe at the end of the study. At L91, ewe nutritional treatment during P21–50 or P50–139 had no effect on either ewe liveweight or body condition score. Ewe nutritional treatment during P21–50 had no effect on lamb birthweight. Lambs born to AdP50–139 ewes were lighter (P < 0.05) than those born to MP50–139 ewes (5.32 ± 0.04 v. 5.48 ± 0.04 kg, respectively). Ewe nutritional treatment during P21–50 or P50–139 had no (P > 0.05) effect on indices of colostrum uptake in lambs at 24–36 h of age. At L91, ewe nutritional treatment during P21–50 or P50–139 had no effect on lamb liveweight, survival or total weight of lamb per ewe. In conclusion, although considerable differences in ewe liveweight were observed during pregnancy, the nutritional treatments had no effect on the production parameters measured at the end of the study. These results indicate, first, that farmers can use early pregnancy as a period to control ewe nutrition when ewes are offered at least pregnancy maintenance levels of nutrition in the mid–late pregnancy period and, second, that there is no advantage from offering twin-bearing ewes a level of nutrition above their pregnancy maintenance requirements in mid–late pregnancy.

scholarly journals Managing the nutrition of twin-bearing ewes during pregnancy using Lifetimewool recommendations increases production of twin lambs

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 813 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Hocking Edwards ◽  
K. J. Copping ◽  
A. N. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
South Australia ◽  
The Body ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Staple Strength

The effect on ewe and lamb production by differential management of single- and twin-bearing Merino ewes during pregnancy and lactation was examined. The hypothesis that the survival and productivity of single- and twin-born progeny is not affected by differential management of single- and twin-bearing ewes was tested. To test this hypothesis, two ewe flocks were monitored on a commercial property in the south-east of South Australia. The body condition score of one flock of ewes was managed according to Lifetimewool recommendations for southern Australian (Lifetimewool flock; n = 464). Lifetimewool recommendations are that body condition score should be 3.0 at mating and then allowed to decline to an average of 2.7, which is maintained until lambing. Twin- and single-bearing ewes were managed as separate mobs after pregnancy scanning to meet their energy requirements. The second flock was managed similarly to the commercial ewe flock and was representative of ewe management practices in the region (normal-practice flock; n = 464). At lambing, the condition score of the Lifetimewool flock was 0.7 condition scores units greater than the normal-practice flock. Ewe clean fleece weight and fibre diameter were greater in the Lifetimewool flock and their lambs had higher survival rates to weaning. Over three shearings, progeny from Lifetimewool ewe flocks produced more clean wool (P < 0.0001) but there was no consistent effect on fibre diameter, staple length or staple strength. Twin-born lambs from ewes managed to Lifetimewool guidelines had a similar liveweight and produced similar quantity and quality of wool to single-born lambs managed to Lifetimewool guidelines, but still suffered higher rates of mortality to weaning. This suggests that it is possible to manage ewes pregnant with twins to ensure that their surviving progeny perform at a level similar to single-born progeny managed under similar targets.

The performance of ewes offered diets containing different proportions of perennial ryegrass and white clover silage in late pregnancy

1990 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Orr ◽  
T. T. Treacher
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Forage Intake ◽  
In Pregnancy

ABSTRACTFinn Dorset ewes were offered forage ad libitum from week 16 of pregnancy until lambing and were either unsupplemented (U) or given 600 g/day of concentrates (S). Grass silage and white clover silage, ensiled separately and having similar dry matter concentrations, were offered in four mixtures with white clover proportions of 0, 0·20, 0·40 and 0·60 on a fresh basis. Forage intake was significantly higher for mixtures containing higher proportions of clover (9·1, 10·5, 12·3 and 13·6 g organic matter (OM) per kg live weight) and the ewes gained more weight (33, 65, 178 and 174 g/day) and had smaller losses in body condition score (–0·59, –0·49, –0·39 and –0·17). Higher proportions of clover in the diet in late pregnancy also resulted in significantly higher growth rates of lambs during lactation, when a common diet was offered.The number of foetuses carried in pregnancy had significant effects on intake and some aspects of performance. For ewes carrying singles, twins and multiples respectively, mean daily forage intakes were 12·2, 11·9 and 10·4 g OM per kg live weight and losses in body condition score were –0·05, –0·40 and –0·62.Offering the supplement reduced forage intake and for treatments U and S respectively, mean daily values were 12·6 and 10·2 g OM per kg live weight. Whilst the supplemented ewes had smaller losses in body condition score in late pregnancy (–0·54 v. –0·28), lamb birth weights and growth rates were significantly increased only for ewes which had carried three or more foetuses in pregnancy and reared their two heaviest lambs.

scholarly journals Effects of the fat-tailed ewes' body condition scores at lambing on their metabolic profile and offspring growth

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 183-191
Author(s):  
Yathreb Yagoubi ◽  
Naziha Atti
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Metabolic Profile ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Dietary Treatment ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Lamb Growth

Abstract. This experiment aimed to evaluate the effect of body condition score (BCS) of fat-tailed Barbarine ewes at lambing on their metabolic profile around parturition and lamb's growth. The experiment was carried out on 69 Barbarine ewes, divided into three groups according to BCS, which were inferior to 2, between 2 and 2.5 and superior to 2.5 for the thin, middle and fat group, respectively. Along the trial, all groups received the same dietary treatment based on hay, pasture and concentrate. Birth weight (Bi-W), weights at 30 and 70 d (W30 and W70) and average daily gains (ADGs) of lambs were recorded. Metabolites were determined at late pregnancy and at the beginning of lactation. Ewes' BCS at lambing had no effect on lambs' Bi-W (P>0.05), which was 3.8, 3.8 and 3.9 kg, respectively, for thin, middle and fat groups. However, W30, W70 and ADG increased with a mother's BCS. A positive correlation between lamb growth parameters and ewe body weight and BCS at weaning was recorded. Energetic metabolites (glucose and triglycerides) and proteic metabolites (creatinine, total protein and urea) were similar among groups according to BCS but significantly different between pregnancy and lactation stages except triglycerides and urea. In conclusion, BCS may be used as dietary management tool during ewe lactation. With the transition from pregnancy to lactation, the content of some metabolites has changed irrespective of BCS; this aspect needs more investigations.

A comparative study of dry matter intake and digestive pool variations in Manchega and Lacaune dairy sheep

1999 ◽  
Vol 1999 ◽  
pp. 98-98
Author(s):  
E. Molina ◽  
A. Ferret ◽  
G. Caja ◽  
S. Calsamiglia ◽  
J. Gasa
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Average Body

Manchega (MN) and Lacaune (LC) are two semi-coarse-wooled dairy breeds with similar size but different milk yield, the latter producing twice as much milk as the former (Pérez, 1997). The aim of this experiment was to compare, under the same feed conditions, dry matter intake and performance in late pregnancy and lactation and digestive pools of these two breeds.Twenty-four ewes, 12 per breed, were used in three different periods: late pregnancy (8 weeks), rearing (5 weeks) and milking (7 weeks). At lambing, average body weight was 74.4 vs 78.5 kg, for LC and MN, respectively. Dry matter intake (DMI), apparent dry matter digestibility (DMD), body condition score (BCS) and milk yield (MY) standardized according to Bocquier et al. (1993) were recorded.

An on-farm study of late pregnancy and lactation performance of ewe lambs and their progeny on lucerne or pasture

2015 ◽  
Vol 77 ◽  
pp. 269-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.R. Stevens ◽  
L. Wright ◽  
P. Mcgill
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Lactation Performance ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
On Farm

An on-farm demonstration compared the use of perennial ryegrass based pasture or lucerne as the forage source for in-lamb ewe lambs from 2 weeks prior to lambing until weaning in the Te Anau basin. This demonstration, over 2 years, used 632 and 506 in-lamb ewe lambs in 2013 and 2014 respectively with approximately 50% being single-bearing and 50% twin-bearing in both years. Pasture and lucerne were set stocked until docking at approximately 33 days of age and then rotationally grazed thereafter until weaning at approximately 110 days of age. Ewe liveweights and body condition scores tended to be higher when grazed on lucerne during spring and all ewes were at or near two-tooth mating weights at weaning (67 kg). Lamb liveweights at 110 days of age were similar from the pasture and lucerne (33.4 kg). Lamb losses were greater on lucerne (37%) than pasture (28%) in both years, and led to a significantly lower lambing percentage on lucerne. Stocking rate chosen based on previous pasture growth records and potential lucerne yield was greater on lucerne (11.7 ewes/ha) than that on pasture (9.4 ewes/ha). The combined liveweight gain of ewes and their lambs per hectare was significantly greater from lucerne (492 kg/ha) than pasture (398 kg/ ha). Scanning data from the second mating was 201% and 189% in ewes that had grazed on lucerne or pasture during the previous lactation respectively, while ewes weighed 67.7 and 65.1 kg at mating respectively. Lucerne can be used as a forage option to increase the performance of bred ewe lambs but the grazing of young lush growth should be avoided to reduce potential animal health issues. Keywords: body condition score, ewe lambs, lamb liveweight gain, lamb survival, reproduction

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