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The effect of increasing sward surface height in mid-season on performance of grazing ewes and lambs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 November 2017

C K Mackie ,
B J Keeling ,
M E King ,
S C Wilkinson  and
G Weatherill
C K Mackie
Affiliation:
North of Scotland College of Agriculture, 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD
B J Keeling
Affiliation:
North of Scotland College of Agriculture, 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD
M E King
Affiliation:
North of Scotland College of Agriculture, 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD
S C Wilkinson
Affiliation:
North of Scotland College of Agriculture, 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD
G Weatherill
Affiliation:
SASS, West Mains Road, Edinburgh
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Extract

Higher lamb growth rates have been observed on swards that increased in height over time than on swards of constant or decreasing height (Doney et al, 1987; Lloyd et al, 1987). Where ewes and lambs were maintained at sward surface heights (SSH) within the ranges 4-6 cm or 6-8 cm until weaning in August, high rates of lamb growth were achieved until the end of June whereafter there was a marked decline (Keeling et al, 1987). The present study investigated the effect on lamb performance of increasing sward height at the end of June.

One hundred and fifty Mule ewes with Suffolk cross lambs were grazed on an area of permanent grass (89% perennial ryegrass) which received 255 kg N/ha over the season in 4 dressings with balancing P and K. The initial stocking rate was 19 ewes and 31 lambs/ha and SSH was maintained in the range 4-6 cm from May 6 until the end of June.

Type
Developments in Sheep Production
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972) , Volume 1988 , March 1988 , pp. 99
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Production 1988

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References

Doney, J.M., Milne, J.A., White, I.R., Colgrove, P. and Lloyd, M. (1987). Liveweight gain of weaned lambs grazing swards increasing, decreasing or at constant surface heights. Animal Production, 44, 171 (Abstr)Google Scholar
Lloyd, M., Swift, G. and Swanston, S. (1987). Lamb growth performance and rate of finishing in relation to sward height and herbage mass on set-stocked swards. Animal Production, 44, 470 (Abstr)Google Scholar
Keeling, B.J., Mackie, C.K., King, M.E. and Watt, C.W. (1987). The effect of sward height on ewe and lamb performance. Animal Production, 44, 485 (Abstr)Google Scholar