358 Effect of Molasses Type on Pre-weaning Lamb and Ewe Performance

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of form of molasses on lamb and ewe performance. Creep feeding of lambs is essential to lamb growth, rumen development, and reduction of milk production from dams. Molasses is often added for increased palatability and energy. Crossbred lambs (n = 47; average age = 30 d) and their accompanying dams (n= 35) were assigned to one of two treatments using a completely randomized design with similar distributions of single and twin-born lambs and sexes. Treatment diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and contained either wet (WMOL) or dry (DMOL) molasses. Dry molasses was added at 10% of the diet DM, whereas, wet molasses was added at 14.3% of the diet DM. Lambs were fed creep rations for 42 d prior to weaning. Creep feed was provided ad libitum and mixed grass hay was offered free-choice. Lamb weights were recorded weekly until weaning (d 42) and ewe BCS was measured at d 0 and d 42 (weaning). Overall lamb ADG was comparable (DMOL = 0.268 kg/hd, WMOL = 0.293 kg/hd; P = 0.30). Lamb weaning weights were similar between DMOL and WMOL (DMOL = 27.9 kg; WMOL = 27.5; P = 0.79). Ewe BCS was similar (P = 0.88) between DMOL and WMOL at 1.4 and 1.4, respectively. Estimated creep intake was calculated based upon total consumption following the end of the project and was found to be similar between treatments (DMOL = 0.54 kg/hd/d; WMOL = 0.59 kg/hd/d). Lamb pre-weaning growth and ewe performance was similar between DMOL and WMOL. Further research is needed to further explore the economic impact and use post-weaning.