95 Impact of daily movement with low or higher target residue on ewe weight gain and parasite infestation

Abstract

Abstract Impact of grazing method on ewe performance, parasite infestation, and soil, was examined using mature, non-lactating Katahdin ewes. Pasture consisting of primarily common bermudagrass/crabgrass mixture previously grazed by sheep was divided into four, approximately one acre paddocks [two with a target of 3 cm residue (SR; short residue) and two with a target of 13 cm residue (LR; long residue)] and soil sampled. On May 17 (d 0), 5 ewes were placed on each paddock and provided with daily grazing allocation using temporary electric fence. Body weight and fecal egg count (FEC) was recorded biweekly beginning on d 0. On alternate weeks, ewe body condition score (BCS) and FAMACHA score was recorded. After 84 days of grazing, final data and soil samples were collected. BCS, FAMACHA, FEC, body weight, and soil test results were tested for effect of treatment (SR vs LR), day, and treatment by day interaction using procedures for repeated measures with JMP software (version 10, SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). There was an effect of treatment (P = 0.0345) and day (P < 0.0001) on BCS such that BCS was greater for LR than SR, and d 63 and 77 was greater than 35 and 49. There was an effect of day on body weight (P = 0.0008) such that body weights were greater on d 70 and 84 than d 0, 14, and 28. There was a tendency for a treatment by day interaction (P = 0.0766) on FEC such that FEC was greater for SR on d 70 and 84 than all other treatment days except SR on d 56 and LR on d 0. No effects on FAMACHA score or soil parameters were significant. These data indicate daily rotation with a higher target residue can result in improved body condition and lower FEC.