Post on 27-Mar-2020
Ewe Lamb Nutrition and
Ewe ProductivityD. L. Thomas
Department of Animal Sciences
Y. M. BergerSpooner Agricultural Research Station
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Nutrition of Ewe Lamb
Replacements
��Feeding replacement ewe lambs Feeding replacement ewe lambs
for maximum gains may decrease for maximum gains may decrease
adult productivity.adult productivity.
��OverOver--feeding may decrease her feeding may decrease her
adult milk production and adult milk production and
weaning weights of her lambs. weaning weights of her lambs.
Hohenboken et al. 1995. Acta Agric. Scand. Sect. A Anim. Hohenboken et al. 1995. Acta Agric. Scand. Sect. A Anim.
Sci. 45:92Sci. 45:92--98.98.
100100--11,88011,8801.611.61
909010,78010,7801.891.89
10010011,93511,9351.281.28FriesianFriesian
828210,34010,3401.861.86
868610,78010,7801.581.58
10010012,48512,4851.211.21Danish RedDanish Red
80809,0759,0751.231.23
939310,45010,4501.071.07
JerseyJersey
BreedBreed
10010011,27511,275.80.80
%%Milk, lb.Milk, lb.ADG, lb.ADG, lb.
Prepubertal ADG in Danish Dairy CattlePrepubertal ADG in Danish Dairy Cattle
1001003.563.5694.294.2SlowSlow33
82822.912.91140.4140.4FastFast
1001003.463.46100.3100.3SlowSlow22
87873.023.02126.7126.7FastFast
80802.612.61141.2141.2FastFast
100100
%%
Umberger et al. 1985. Theriogenolgy 23:555Umberger et al. 1985. Theriogenolgy 23:555--564. (North 564. (North
Carolina)Carolina)
11
TrialTrial
3.263.2697.297.2SlowSlow
2424--hr. hr.
milk, lb.milk, lb.Weight, Weight,
lb.lb.Trt.Trt.
Breeding Weight in Ewe LambsBreeding Weight in Ewe Lambs
100100.59.59.44.44SlowSlow33
9393.55.55.59.59FastFast
100100.75.75.38.38SlowSlow22
8181.61.61.51.51FastFast
103103.79.79.47.47FastFast
100100
%%
McCann et al. 1989. Theriogenolgy 32:55McCann et al. 1989. Theriogenolgy 32:55--68. (North 68. (North
Carolina)Carolina)
11
TrialTrial
.77.77.35.35SlowSlow
44--hr. hr.
milk, lb.milk, lb.ADG, lb.ADG, lb.Trt.Trt.
Prepubertal ADG in Ewe LambsPrepubertal ADG in Ewe Lambs
Recommendation From Review of Past
Dairy Cattle and Sheep Studies(Tolman and McKusick, 2001)
To ensure maximum milk production To ensure maximum milk production
in ewes, ewe lamb replacements should in ewes, ewe lamb replacements should
be fed to gain at no more than 65 to be fed to gain at no more than 65 to
75% of maximum gain from about 1.5 75% of maximum gain from about 1.5
to 5 months of age.to 5 months of age.
Spooner Study
�� Dairy ewe lambs born in 2004, 2005, and Dairy ewe lambs born in 2004, 2005, and 2006 at the Spooner Ag Research Station.2006 at the Spooner Ag Research Station.
�� Ewe lambs raised on milk replacer and a Ewe lambs raised on milk replacer and a 22% CP grower diet to 30 days of age22% CP grower diet to 30 days of age
�� FullFull--fed group fed 22% creep/grower fed group fed 22% creep/grower diet and then a 13% finishing diet diet and then a 13% finishing diet adad
libitumlibitum in inside pens from 1.5 to 5 in inside pens from 1.5 to 5 months of age.months of age.
�� RestrictedRestricted--fed group fed same diet as fed group fed same diet as fullfull--fed group but at ~70% of the intake fed group but at ~70% of the intake of the fullof the full--fed group.fed group.
Spooner Study
�� After 5 months of age, two groups fed and After 5 months of age, two groups fed and
managed together.managed together.
�� Ewes exposed first at 7 to 8 months of age, and Ewes exposed first at 7 to 8 months of age, and
production monitored for at least two parities.production monitored for at least two parities.
�� Production traits measured: body weights, Production traits measured: body weights,
gains, and feed consumption during the gains, and feed consumption during the
experimental feeding period; weights at first experimental feeding period; weights at first
mating and lambing; fertility; prolificacy; milk mating and lambing; fertility; prolificacy; milk
production; milk composition.production; milk composition.
Feeding Management
�� Fed in indoor pens bedded Fed in indoor pens bedded
with straw.with straw.
�� 2 Full2 Full--Fed and 2 RestrictedFed and 2 Restricted--
Fed pens each yearFed pens each year
�� Diet of whole shelled corn + Diet of whole shelled corn +
high protein pellet.high protein pellet.
�� Pen feed consumption was Pen feed consumption was
recorded daily, and lambs recorded daily, and lambs
were weighed weekly.were weighed weekly.
�� Fed small amount of hay Fed small amount of hay
(.40 (.40 -- .45 lb./.45 lb./hd./dhd./d).).
a,b (P < 0.05).
.75.91.73
Restricted/
Full
2.35b.411.94b6Restricted
3.12a.452.67a6Full feed
Total, lb.Hay, lb.Grain, lb.No. pensTreatment
Average daily feed consumption per head for full-
or restricted-fed dairy ewe lambs.
Figure 1. Body weights of ewe lambs during the treatment
period.
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
49 63 77 91 105 119 132 148
Age, days
Weig
ht,
lb
.
Full Restricted
ADG, ADG,
lb.lb.
Weight, lb.Weight, lb.Age, daysAge, daysNo. No.
lambslambs
123123
129129
.54.54dd
.72.72cc
9393dd
107107cc
EndEnd
a,ba,bPP < 0.10, < 0.10, c,dc,dPP < 0.05< 0.05
3737bb1481485151FullFull
3939aa1491494949RestrictedRestricted
StartStartEndEndStartStartFeedFeed
Growth of FullGrowth of Full-- and Restrictedand Restricted--Fed Dairy Fed Dairy
Cross Ewe LambsCross Ewe Lambs
ADG Restricted / ADG Full = .54 / .72 = .75
ADG mat.ADG mat.--
lamb., lb.lamb., lb.Lambing Lambing
wt., lb.wt., lb.ADG endADG end--
mat., lb.mat., lb.Mating Mating
wt., lb.wt., lb.No. No.
LambsLambsFeedFeed
118118
127127
.20.20aa
.15.15bb
a,ba,bPP < 0.05, < 0.05, c,dc,dPP < 0.10< 0.10
161161dd.35.35bb136136aaFullFull
166166cc.48.48aa132132bbRestrictedRestricted
First Mating and Lambing Weights of FullFirst Mating and Lambing Weights of Full--
and Restrictedand Restricted--Fed Dairy Cross Ewe LambsFed Dairy Cross Ewe Lambs
Prolificacy, no.Prolificacy, no.Fertility, %Fertility, %No. ewesNo. ewesFeedFeed
118118
126126 1.481.488686FullFull
1.501.509090RestrictedRestricted
Reproduction of 1Reproduction of 1--YearYear--Old Ewes FullOld Ewes Full-- and and
RestrictedRestricted--Fed as LambsFed as Lambs
Prolificacy, Prolificacy,
no.no.Fertility, Fertility,
%%No. No.
exposuresexposuresNo. No.
ewesewesFeedFeed
101101
102102 2.032.039696176176FullFull
2.062.069393178178RestrictedRestricted
Reproduction of 2Reproduction of 2--YearYear--Old and Greater Old and Greater
Ewes FullEwes Full-- and Restrictedand Restricted--Fed as LambsFed as Lambs
Milking
��Machine milked in a Machine milked in a
doubledouble--12 parlor12 parlor
��Milk yield, % fat, and Milk yield, % fat, and
% protein measured % protein measured
once per monthonce per month
��Milking ended when test Milking ended when test
day yield was less than 1 day yield was less than 1
lb.lb.
600600183183240240103103RestrictedRestricted
620620186186236236102102FullFull
Milk Milk
yield, lb.yield, lb.FeedFeedLactation Lactation
length, dlength, dNo. No.
lactationslactationsNo. No.
ewesewes
Lactation Performance of Ewes FullLactation Performance of Ewes Full-- or Restrictedor Restricted--
Fed as LambsFed as Lambs
30304.84.835355.75.7RestrictedRestricted
31314.94.937375.85.8FullFull
Protein Protein
yield, lb.yield, lb.FeedFeedProtein, Protein,
%%Fat Fat
yield, lb.yield, lb.Fat, Fat,
%%
Lactation Performance of Ewes FullLactation Performance of Ewes Full-- or Restrictedor Restricted--
Fed as LambsFed as Lambs
If all ewes were still present on 6/30/09, average age would havIf all ewes were still present on 6/30/09, average age would have been about e been about
53 months.53 months.
39394242118118RestrictedRestricted
38384646127127FullFull
Age when Age when
leaving, leaving, monthsmonthsaaItemItem% present, % present,
6/30/096/30/09No. ewe No. ewe
lambs matedlambs mated
Flock Retention to June 30, 2009 by Nutrition Flock Retention to June 30, 2009 by Nutrition
Treatment and BreedTreatment and Breed
Summary of Results
Feeding ewe lambs 73% of ad libitum supplement Feeding ewe lambs 73% of ad libitum supplement intake from 1.5 to 5 months of age instead of ad intake from 1.5 to 5 months of age instead of ad libitum resulted in:libitum resulted in:
�� 75% of maximum ADG,75% of maximum ADG,
�� .73 lb./hd./d less supplement consumption .73 lb./hd./d less supplement consumption
(73 lb./(73 lb./hdhd less over 100 days),less over 100 days),
�� $5.80 $5.80 -- $7.30/hd. less supplement cost,$7.30/hd. less supplement cost,
�� and no detrimental or positive effects on and no detrimental or positive effects on
body weight at first lambing, body weight at first lambing,
reproduction, lactation performance, or reproduction, lactation performance, or
flock retentionflock retention
Recommendations
�� Young replacement ewe lambs can be fed at 73% Young replacement ewe lambs can be fed at 73%
of maximum supplement intake for a feed savings of maximum supplement intake for a feed savings
of ~ $6.60, orof ~ $6.60, or
�� Young replacement ewe lambs can be fullYoung replacement ewe lambs can be full--fed with fed with
the market lambs for conveniencethe market lambs for convenience
�� However, the results strongly suggest that However, the results strongly suggest that
replacement dairy ewe lambs need to be wellreplacement dairy ewe lambs need to be well--fed fed
from 1.5 to 5 months of agefrom 1.5 to 5 months of age
�� The fullThe full--fed ewe lambs produced 20 lb. more (N.S.) fed ewe lambs produced 20 lb. more (N.S.)
milk each lactation than restrictedmilk each lactation than restricted--fed ewe lambs fed ewe lambs
for increased milk income of $14.00/year. for increased milk income of $14.00/year.
ADG, ADG,
lb.lb.
Weight, lb.Weight, lb.Age, daysAge, daysNo. No.
lambslambs
126126
126126
.62.62bb
.64.64aa
9898dd
102102cc
EndEnd
a,ba,bPP < 0.10, < 0.10, c,dc,dPP < 0.05< 0.05
39391471475050> 50% EF> 50% EF
38381481485050> 50% LA> 50% LA
StartStartEndEndStartStartBreedBreed
Growth of East Friesian and Lacaune Ewe Growth of East Friesian and Lacaune Ewe
LambsLambs
ADG mat.ADG mat.--
lamb., lb.lamb., lb.Lambing Lambing
wt., lb.wt., lb.ADG endADG end--
mat., lb.mat., lb.Mating Mating
wt., lb.wt., lb.No. No.
LambsLambsBreedBreed
124124
121121
.18.18
.17.17
a,ba,bPP < 0.05, < 0.05, c,dc,dPP < 0.10< 0.10
164164.43.43cc136136aa> 50% EF> 50% EF
163163.41.41dd132132bb> 50% LA> 50% LA
First Mating and Lambing Weights of East First Mating and Lambing Weights of East
Friesian and Lacaune Dairy Ewe LambsFriesian and Lacaune Dairy Ewe Lambs
Prolificacy, no.Prolificacy, no.Fertility, %Fertility, %No. ewesNo. ewesBreedBreed
124124
120120
a,ba,bPP < 0.10< 0.10
1.561.56aa8888> 50% EF> 50% EF
1.421.42bb8888> 50% LA> 50% LA
Reproduction of 1Reproduction of 1--YearYear--Old East Friesian Old East Friesian
and Lacaune Ewesand Lacaune Ewes
Prolificacy, Prolificacy,
no.no.Fertility, Fertility,
%%No. No.
exposuresexposuresNo. No.
ewesewesBreedBreed
104104
9999 2.072.079494184184> 50% EF> 50% EF
2.032.039595170170> 50% LA> 50% LA
Reproduction of 2Reproduction of 2--YearYear--Old and Greater Old and Greater
East Friesian and Lacaune EwesEast Friesian and Lacaune Ewes
a,ba,bPP < 0.01< 0.01
581581bb183183234234106106> 50% LA> 50% LA
639639aa1861862422429999> 50% EF> 50% EF
Milk Milk
yield, lb.yield, lb.BreedBreedLactation Lactation
length, dlength, dNo. No.
lactationslactationsNo. No.
ewesewes
Lactation Performance of East Friesian or Lactation Performance of East Friesian or
Lacaune EwesLacaune Ewes
a,ba,bPP < 0.01< 0.01
30305.05.0aa36366.16.1aa> 50% LA> 50% LA
31314.74.7bb36365.55.5bb> 50% EF> 50% EF
Protein Protein
yield, lb.yield, lb.BreedBreedProtein, Protein,
%%Fat Fat
yield, lb.yield, lb.Fat, Fat,
%%
Lactation Performance of East Friesian and Lactation Performance of East Friesian and
Lacaune EwesLacaune Ewes
40404848121121> 50% EF> 50% EF
37374040124124> 50% LA> 50% LA
If all ewes were still present on 6/30/09, average age would havIf all ewes were still present on 6/30/09, average age would have been about e been about
53 months.53 months.
Age when Age when
leaving, leaving, monthsmonthsaaItemItem% present, % present,
6/30/096/30/09No. ewe No. ewe
lambs matedlambs mated
Flock Retention to June 30, 2009 by Nutrition Flock Retention to June 30, 2009 by Nutrition
Treatment and BreedTreatment and Breed