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Effects of altering the plane of nutrition during the rearing phase and pregnancy of 2-tooth ewes, of two genotypes, on ewe and subsequent lamb performance

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 November 2017

T W J Keady  and
J P Hanrahan
T W J Keady*
Affiliation:
Teagasc Animal Research Centre, Athenry, Co Galway, Ireland
J P Hanrahan
Affiliation:
Teagasc Animal Research Centre, Athenry, Co Galway, Ireland
*
Email: tim.keady@teagasc.ie
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Extract

Ewe replacements are a major cost in sheep production. This cost is influenced by replacement rate and rearing expense which is a function of plane of nutrition offered during the first winter, subsequent grazing season prior to joining at 18 months of age and during pregnancy prior to lambing as 2-tooth ewes. There is a paucity of data on the impact of plane of nutrition between 6 months of age and first lambing as 2-tooth ewes on body size and subsequent productivity. The weight of lamb carcass produced per ewe, which is influenced by litter size, lamb survival and growth rate, is the main factor affecting output per ewe. Plane of nutrition at different stages during the rearing phase, genetic potential for prolificacy and their potential interactions may be important. The aim of the current study was to evaluate effects of plane of nutrition during the first winter, subsequent grazing season and during first pregnancy, and potential interactions, on ewe body size and productivity and subsequent lamb performance using two breed types with contrasting prolificacy potential.

Type
Theatre Presentations
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science , Volume 2009 , April 2009 , pp. 70
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2009

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