Effect of breed of dam, type of birth and sex of lamb on efficiency of conversion of food to lamb and wool in Merino, Poll Dorset × Merino and Border Leicester × Merino ewes

1984 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 579 ◽  
Author(s):  
DO Kleemann ◽  
CHS Dolling ◽  
RW Ponzoni
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Weight Basis ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Wool Fibre ◽  
Reproduction Rate ◽  
Food Conversion ◽  
Breed Difference ◽  
Ewe Lamb ◽  
Australian Merino

The effects of breed of dam (South Australian Merino (M), Border Leicester x Merino (BL x M) and Poll Dorset x Merino (PD x M)), type of birth (single and twins) and sex of lamb (wether and ewe) on the efficiency of the ewe (organic matter intake per unit (liveweight)0.75 and clean wool weight per unit intake) and of the ewe-lamb(s)) unit (liveweight and carcass weight per unit intake) were examined in two pen experiments (PE1, PE2) and a grazing experiment (GE). Each single-born lamb in PE1 and PE2 was slaughtered at weights =32 and =35 kg, respectively, and twin-born lambs when their combined weight doubled that of singles. In GE all lambs were slaughtered on the same day at 35.5 kg mean liveweight. Ewes rearing twins ate 19% more (P < 0.05) organic matter per unit (liveweight)0.75 during lactation than those rearing singles, the other effects of breed and sex were not significant during either late pregnancy or lactation. BL x M ewes grew 32% less (P < 0.001) clean wool per unit intake than did M ewes in PE, whereas the breed difference in GE was not significant, PD x M ewes grew 39% less wool than M ewes in GE (P < 0.001). Ewes rearing twins were 23% less efficient in converting food to wool than those rearing singles in PE, (P < 0.01), the corresponding difference in GE was not significant. There were no significant differences between breeds of dam for efficiency of the ewe-lamb unit when lambs were compared at the same age. However, when lambs were grown to the same liveweight the M ewe-lamb unit produced 14% (P < 0.001) and 8% (P < 0.05) more liveweight and carcass weight per unit intake than the BL x M in PE,. These results include adjustment for the effects of type of birth and sex. In all experiments ewes with twin lambs were about 45-55% and 35-45% more efficient than those with singles on a liveweight and carcass weight basis, respectively (P < 0.001), the effects were independent of whether the lambs were at the same age or the same liveweight. We conclude that efficiency of conversion of food to carcass weight on a flock basis will be largely dependent on variation in reproduction rate and to a lesser extent on breed of dam, and on breed of dam only when lambs are slaughtered at the same liveweight. In contrast, the effects of breed of dam on efficiency of food conversion to wool fibre were large.

Effect of breed of dam and lamb, and of lamb sex on efficiency of conversion of food to lamb and wool in Merino and first-cross Merino ewes

1982 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 293
Author(s):  
DO Kleemann ◽  
CHS Dolling ◽  
RW Ponzoni
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Castrate Male ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Ewe Lamb ◽  
The Absolute ◽  
Conversion Efficiencies

The effects of breed of dam (Merino (M), Border Leicester x Merino (BL x M) and Poll Dorset x Merino (PD x M)), breed of lamb (Suffolk sired (S)) and sex of lamb (castrate male, female) on the efficiency of the ewe (organic matter intake per unit metabolic weight and clean wool weight per unit intake) and on the efficiency of the ewe-lamb unit (liveweight and carcass weight per unit intake) were examined. The effects of breed of dam and breed of lamb were differentiated by a system of cross-mothering of all lambs at birth. Each lamb was slaughtered at = 35 kg liveweight. The two crossbred types ate less organic matter per unit metabolic weight than did M dams during late pregnancy, but there were no differences during lactation. Compared with the absolute intake of M dams, PD x M and BL x M ewes ate 11 and 18 % more throughout the experimental period (224 days). The conversion efficiencies of food to wool of PD x M and BL x M dams were 59 and 66 % of that of Merinos. There were no significant differences between breeds of lamb or between lamb sexes for either intake per unit metabolic weight or clean wool growth per unit intake of the ewe. There were no significant differences between breeds of dam or between lamb sexes for either lamb liveweight or carcass weight per unit intake. This applied whether the lambs were at the same age or at the same liveweight. Ewes rearing S x (PD x M) and S x (BL x M) lambs had higher carcass weights per unit intake than did those rearing S x M lambs.

Corrigendum - Relative efficiency of Merino and Border Leicester × Merino ewes

1978 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 605
Author(s):  
DO Kleemann ◽  
CHS Dolling
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Animal Tissue ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Ewe Lamb ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
The Difference

Thirteen South Australian strong-wool Merino ewes and eight Border Leicester × Merino ewes mated to Poll Dorset rams were fed on lucerne pellets ad libitum during late pregnancy and lactation in pens. Each of their single-born progeny was slaughtered at 33 kg full liveweight. Breeds were compared for efficiency of the ewe (organic matter intake per unit liveweight and clean wool per unit intake), efficiency of the lamb (liveweight and body solids gain per litre of milk), and efficiency of the ewe-lamb unit (liveweight and carcass weight per unit intake). Border Leicester × Merino ewes ate 7% less organic matter per unit liveweight than Merino ewes during lactation; however, there was no significant difference during late pregnancy. In terms of absolute intake 120 Merinos = 100 Border Leicester × Merinos. Border Leicester × Merino ewes were 73% as efficient in converting feed to clean wool as Merino ewes. Merino ewes grew wool of smaller diameter and higher crimp frequency than crossbreds. Lambs from the Merino ewes were as efficient in converting milk into animal tissue as the progeny from Border Leicester x Merino ewes during the first 4 weeks of suckling. Lambs from Merino ewes required on average 25 extra days to grow to the same slaughter weight and ate 110% more organic matter from solid feed than lambs from crossbred ewes. However, the proportion of feed eaten by the lamb was small (10%) compared with that eaten by the ewe. Lambs from crossbred ewes were 23% heavier than those from Merino ewes at the same age. The crossbred ewe-lamb unit, however, consumed 20% more feed and hence was as efficient as the Merino ewe–lamb unit. The Merino ewe–lamb unit was more efficient than the crossbred ewe-lamb unit when the lamb genotypes were slaughtered at the same liveweight (P < 0.05); however, the difference was not significant when expressed as carcass weight per unit intake.

Relative efficiency of Merino and Border Leicester × Merino ewes

1978 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 605
Author(s):  
DO Kleemann ◽  
CHS Dolling
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Animal Tissue ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Ewe Lamb ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
The Difference

Thirteen South Australian strong-wool Merino ewes and eight Border Leicester × Merino ewes mated to Poll Dorset rams were fed on lucerne pellets ad libitum during late pregnancy and lactation in pens. Each of their single-born progeny was slaughtered at 33 kg full liveweight. Breeds were compared for efficiency of the ewe (organic matter intake per unit liveweight and clean wool per unit intake), efficiency of the lamb (liveweight and body solids gain per litre of milk), and efficiency of the ewe-lamb unit (liveweight and carcass weight per unit intake). Border Leicester × Merino ewes ate 7% less organic matter per unit liveweight than Merino ewes during lactation; however, there was no significant difference during late pregnancy. In terms of absolute intake 120 Merinos = 100 Border Leicester × Merinos. Border Leicester × Merino ewes were 73% as efficient in converting feed to clean wool as Merino ewes. Merino ewes grew wool of smaller diameter and higher crimp frequency than crossbreds. Lambs from the Merino ewes were as efficient in converting milk into animal tissue as the progeny from Border Leicester x Merino ewes during the first 4 weeks of suckling. Lambs from Merino ewes required on average 25 extra days to grow to the same slaughter weight and ate 110% more organic matter from solid feed than lambs from crossbred ewes. However, the proportion of feed eaten by the lamb was small (10%) compared with that eaten by the ewe. Lambs from crossbred ewes were 23% heavier than those from Merino ewes at the same age. The crossbred ewe-lamb unit, however, consumed 20% more feed and hence was as efficient as the Merino ewe–lamb unit. The Merino ewe–lamb unit was more efficient than the crossbred ewe-lamb unit when the lamb genotypes were slaughtered at the same liveweight (P < 0.05); however, the difference was not significant when expressed as carcass weight per unit intake.

The effect of ammonia treatment on the intake of straw and hay when offered with rations of concentrates to ewes in late pregnancy

1985 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Orr ◽  
T. T. Treacher ◽  
V. C. Mason
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Spring Barley ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Barley Straw ◽  
Ammonia Treatment ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Forage Intake

ABSTRACTFinnish Landrace × Dorset Horn ewes were offered 300, 600 or 900 g fresh weight per day of concentrates and forage ad libitum from day 105 of pregnancy until lambing. Spring barley straw (S) or hay (H) was offered either untreated (U) or following treatment with anhydrous ammonia in an oven (T). Organic matter digestibilities (in vitro) were 0·42, 0·58, 0·42 and 0·60 and nitrogen contents were 7·2, 18·6, 12·0 and 25·0 g/kg dry matter for US, TS, UH and TH respectively. Forage intake did not differ between ewes carrying two or more foetuses but the small number of ewes carrying one foetus ate more straw (6·8 v. 4·5 g organic matter (OM) per kg live weight) than ewes carrying two or more foetuses. Ammonia treatment increased intake; the increase was larger on straw (4·6 v. 100 g OM per kg live weight) than on hay (9·0 v. 10·7 g OM per kg live weight). Replacement rates of forage by concentrates were -0·21, +0·06, -0·48 and +0·08 kg forage per kg concentrates for treatments US, TS, UH and TH respectively; only the value for treatment UH differed significantly from zero. On most treatments forage intake decreased as pregnancy progressed and the declines were greater when treated forages were offered. Concentrate level had a large effect on most aspects of ewe performance. Ewes offered treated forage gained slightly more weight in pregnancy (138 v. 104 g/day), had a slightly smaller decrease in body condition score (-0·54 v. -0·68) between day 105 and lambing but did not have greater lamb birth weights than ewes on untreated forage.

The influence of formaldehyde application at ensiling and of supplementation with urea or maize starch on the utilization by calves of ryegrass and red clover silages

1983 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. G. Kaiser ◽  
D. F. Osbourn ◽  
P. England
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Formic Acid ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nitrogen Retention ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Formaldehyde Treatment

ABSTRACTPrimary growths of perennial ryegrass and red clover were ensiled with formic acid (2 1/t fresh crop), o an equal quantity of formic acid together with formaldehyde (46 or 49 g/kg crude protein in the ryegrass or red clover respectively). The four silages were offered ad libitum to 12 groups, each of five British Friesian steer calves, either alone or with urea or maize starch supplements at 18·4 or 185·2 g/kg total dry-matter intake respectively.Digestible organic matter and digestible energy intake, live-weight gain, carcass weight, nitrogen retention and all digestibility measurements were higher on the ryegrass silages than on the red clover silages. However, dry-matter intake was higher on the red clover silages.Formaldehyde treatment reduced lactic and total acid content, and protein degradation in the silages. It also increased intake, live-weight gain and nitrogen retention on ryegrass but not on red clover, the effect being greater when the urea supplement was given. Digestibility measurements were depressed by formaldehyde treatment, although cellulose digestibility was only depressed in the ryegrass silage.Supplementation with starch depressed silage intake and nitrogen and cellulose digestibility, but increased dry matter, organic matter and energy digestibilities, digestible organic matter and digestible energy intakes, live-weight gain and carcass weight. The positive intake, live-weight gain and carcass weight responses were greater on the silages treated with formic acid, while the digestibility and the live-weight gain responses were greater on the red clover silages. Starch supplementation did not improve nitrogen retention.The different animal production responses to formaldehyde treatment on the ryegrass and red clover silages are discussed.

scholarly journals Utilization of free lysine by growing pigs

1981 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. S. Batterham ◽  
R. D. Murison
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Conversion Ratio ◽  
Growing Pigs ◽  
Weight Basis ◽  
Food Conversion ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Daily Feeding ◽  
Frequent Feeding ◽  
Food Conversion Efficiency

1. The results of nine estimates of the efficiency of utilization of supplements of free lysine by growing pigs fed once daily and reported by Batterham (1974) and Batterham & O'Neill (1978) were re-analysed using carcass rather than live-weight values as the criteria of response.2. The efficiency of utilization of free lysine with once daily feeding relative to frequent feeding was 0·53 using carcass gain as the criterion of response (P < 0·001), and 0·56 using food conversion efficiency on a carcass basis (P < 0·001). These estimates were lower than estimates of 0·67 using live-weight gain (P < 0·01) and 0·77 using food conversion ratio on a live-weight basis (P < 0·05).3. The results indicate that current estimates of the lysine requirements of pigs that are based on responses to supplements of free lysine under once daily feeding regimens may be 10–30% over-estimated, as a result of incomplete utilization of the free lysine.

scholarly journals The prediction of saleable meat yield in lamb carcasses

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. D. M. Jones ◽  
W. M. Robertson ◽  
M. A. Price ◽  
T. Coupland
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Development ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Weight Group ◽  
Meat Yield ◽  
Kidney Fat ◽  
Ewe Lamb ◽  
Precise Prediction ◽  
Total Tissue ◽  
Weight Groups

A total of 281 lamb carcasses covering three weight groups (18–22.9, 23–25.9 and 26–30 kg) and fatness (< 3 mm, 3–5 mm and > 5 mm) were used to determine the usefulness of several carcass measurements for predicting saleable meat yield. Carcasses were measured for fat and muscle depth, 3–4 cm from the mid-line between the 10th and 11th ribs, 12th and 13th ribs and immediately adjacent to the 13th rib using a Hennessey Grading Probe. This technique also determined total tissue depth at 11 cm from the mid-line between the 10th and 11th and 12th and 13th ribs. The depth of tissues over the 12th rib 11 cm from the mid-line was measured with a ruler. Carcasses were also visually assessed for muscle development (conformation score) on a 5-point scale (1 = thinly fleshed; 5 = thickly fleshed). All carcasses were fabricated into primal cuts which were trimmed to 5 mm of fat and deboned to provide an estimate of saleable meat yield. Ewe lamb carcasses had a higher proportion of kidney fat than wethers in all weight and fat groups (which ranged from 2.6 to 17.9 g kg−1 carcass weight). Saleable meat yield decreased as carcasses became fatter, whereas weight group had little influence on saleable meat yield within a fat group. Ewe lamb carcasses had lower saleable meat yields than wether lamb carcasses, mainly because of their higher amounts of kidney fat. A ruler measurement of tissue depth over the 12th rib combined with carcass conformation score provided the most precise prediction (R2 = 0 61; RSD 17.1) of saleable meat yield. It was concluded that a simple manual system based on these two measurements provided an adequate prediction of saleable meat yield. The accuracy of the procedure would be increased by excluding kidney fat from carcass weight for the prediction of saleable meat yield. Key words: Lamb, carcass, composition, probe, fat, grade

Pregnancy effects on carcass and meat quality attributes of cows

1990 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 461-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Wythes ◽  
W. R. Shorthose ◽  
G. Fordyce ◽  
D. W. Underwood
Keyword(s):  
Meat Quality ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Peak Force ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Muscle Properties ◽  
Pregnancy Status ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Access To Food

ABSTRACTThe effects of pregnancy status (non-pregnant, early to mid (1 to 5 months) and late (> 6 months)) and month of pregnancy on live weight, carcass weight, dressing proportion, bruising and muscle properties were examined in 237 Shorthorn and Brahman crossbred cows (mean live weight 424 kg, 62% pregnant). The cows were transported 1155 km to an abattoir and given access to food and water until slaughter. Mustering to slaughter periods were 5, 6 or 7 days.The mean gross hot carcass weights for the 89 non-pregnant, 108 early to mid pregnant and 40 late pregnant cows were 207, 199 and 187 kg (P < 0·05). Their respective dressing proportions were 487, 469 and 443 g/kg (P < 0·05). Among the pregnant cows, carcass weight and dressing proportion decreased by 2·95 kg and 6 g/kg, respectively, for each month of pregnancy (P < 0·05).Cows in late pregnancy had lower mean initial yield (IY) and peak force (PF) shear values for m.longissimus dorsi (LD) than non-pregnant cows. The late-pregnant cows also had the greatest mean pH 24 h post mortem (pH24) and ultimate pH (pHu) values (P < 0·05). They also had a greater proportion of carcasses with high pHu values than the early to mid-pregnant and non-pregnant cows (0·30 v. 0·157 v. 0·079; (P < 005). Among the pregnant cows, mean pH24 increased by proportionately 0·038 and the proportion of high pH24 carcasses by 0·055 for each month of pregnancy (P < 0·05). Pregnancy status had no significant effect on mean fat depth, bruise score, PF-IY value or cooking loss.

Influence of clipping regime and silage quality on the performance of pregnant and lactating ewes

1989 ◽  
Vol 1989 ◽  
pp. 55-55
Author(s):  
Heather J Black ◽  
D H B Chestnutt
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Silage Quality ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Additional Influence ◽  
Voluntary Food Intake

Winter clipping of breeding ewes has given variable increases in lamb birth weight associated mainly with increased ewe voluntary food intake (Rutter, Laird and Broadbent, 1972; Vipond, King, Inglis and Hunter, 1987). The requirement for energy is greatest during the last six weeks of pregnancy but increasing uterine occupation of rumen volume may limit the ewe's ability to increase intake after clipping in late pregnancy. The additional influence of forage quality on intake after clipping is not clear. The present experiment was designed to study the independent and interacting effects of clipping regime and silage quality on lambing performance.Sixty Greyface ewes of uniform age were individually penned 14 weeks before lambing. Precision chop silage offered ad libitum was either early cut [188.3 g dry matter (DM)/kg, 155.7 g crude protein (CP)/kg DM, 740 g digestible organic matter (DOM)/kg DM] or late cut (184.5 g DM/kg, 100.9 g CP/kg DM, 689 g DOM/kg DM). For all treatments concentrate feeding was introduced 7 weeks before lambing, on an increasing scale to provide a total of 21 kg/ewe. Silage type was factorially arranged with 6 clipping regimes.

Growth and carcass characters of the South Australian Merino and its crosses with the Booroola and Trangie Fertility Merino

1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 750 ◽  
Author(s):  
DO Kleemann ◽  
RW Ponzoni ◽  
JE Stafford ◽  
IN Cutten ◽  
RJ Grimson
Keyword(s):  
Strain Differences ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Leg Length ◽  
The South ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
High Fecundity ◽  
Sheep Industry ◽  
F Gene ◽  
One Year ◽  
Australian Merino

South Australian Merino (M) and highly fecund Booroola (B) and Trangie Fertility (TF) Merino strain rams were mated to M ewes to produce M, B x M and TF x M progeny. At 4-5 months of age (24-kg slaughter group), TF x M and M lambs were heavier than B x M lambs (25.3 and 24.8 kg respectively, v. 228 kg). Similar proportional strain differences were observed at 14-1 5 months of age (38-kg slaughter group), except that, in one year, no difference was observed between the M and B x M strains, resulting in a strain x year interaction (P<0.05). When adjusted for age, TF x M carcasses were heavier than those of B x M at the first slaughter and heavier than those of B x M and M strains at the second slaughter. B x M and TF x M strains had the same fat depths and eye muscle areas, when compared at the same age, but B x M had greater fat depths and larger eye muscle areas than TF x M, relative to carcass weight; values for M were less than those of B x M and TF x M, with and without carcass weight as a covariate. Similarly, ranking of the strains did not change for carcass length, leg length and depth of thorax with and without carcass weight as a covariate. Carcasses of M lambs were longer than those of B x M, TF x M being intermediate. No differences were observed among progeny of FF and + + Booroola sires for the 12 variables measured. We conclude that carcasses of B x M and TF x M high fecundity cross Merino strains have greater depths of fat at both the same age and same carcass weight than those of the South Australian Merino, and suggest that the effect of the Booroola F gene on the characters measured is negligible. The implications of the results to the sheep industry are discussed.

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