Management of weaner sheep in western Victoria. 1. The influence of time of mowing, addition of oat grain and method of feeding pasture hay upon current and subsequent production

Abstract

In two consecutive years mowing a perennial ryegrass-subterranean clover pasture at an early stage of maturity produced a more abundant aftermath growth and a hay with a higher crude protein content than mowing at a mid-season stage of maturity. Corriedale weaners fed early-season hay gained weight faster and produced more wool than those fed mid-season hay. Advantages in wool production generally disappeared by the second shearing but in the second experiment some residual effects were evident. Small differences in liveweight (4 per cent) were still apparent when the sheep were 1 1/2 years old. Weaners fed hay in a feedlot grew as well as those fed in the paddock. Feeding a ration of oats improved liveweight gain in both years, but there was no long term effect of feeding oats, or feeding in a feedlot.