Effects of pre‐lamb shearing on feed intake and associated productivity of May‐ and August‐lambing ewes

Abstract

Abstract The effects of pre‐lamb shearing on feed intake and wool/lamb production of May (autumn)‐ and August (spring)‐lambing ewes were examined. Mixed age Border Leicester x Romney ewes mated to lamb in May or August (60 ewes/ lambing policy) were divided at random into two groups (balanced for pregnancy status and liveweight). One group was shorn on Day 118 of pregnancy (P118) and the second group left unshorn. Measurement of pasture intake was carried out over three periods before lambing (P113–117, P119–130, and P141–144) and three periods after lambing (L (lactation day) 8–11, L21–25, and L29–33) using intraruminal chromic oxide controlled release capsules. Intake of ewes was not affected by shearing treatment during pregnancy or lactation except during P141–144 when organic matter intake was significantly greater for shorn ewes than for unshorn ewes (1739 ±58 versus 1526 ± 59 g/day, P < 0.05). Ewe liveweights and condition scores were similar for both shearing treatments during pregnancy and lactat...