Effect of herbage allowance and concentrate feed level offered to ewes in late pregnancy on ewe and lamb performance

Abstract

Lower cost systems of sheep production, with reduced labour inputs, require examination for the future viability of the sheep industry. Carson and Dawson (2002) demonstrated that ewes lambing under grass-based systems had similar lamb outputs and survival rates to ewes lambing under labour intensive, indoor lambing systems. Although there is a significant amount of information is available on the effect of conserved forage on ewe performance in late pregnancy, there is a scarcity of information on the effect of grazed grass and concentrate supplementation at grass in late pregnancy on subsequent ewe performance. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of herbage allowance and concentrate feed level during late pregnancy on ewe live weight and body condition change and lamb growth and development.