Store Lambs Research Articles

The Practical Implications of Altering the Sheep Breeding Season

The supply of lamb meat to the market varies more than other red meats. This is hardly surprising given the seasonal breeding characteristic of the great majority of sheep in this country. The Variable Premium system that currently operates in this country is designed to try and even-out the supply of ‘finished’ lamb. There is a natural spread of lambing and a wide variety of techniques used to ‘finish’ store lambs. In spite of all these factors there is still a marked shortage of lambs available particularly in the months of April and May.

Liveweight losses in store lambs during transit between the Island of Lewis and the mainland of Scotland and analysis of associated factors

Lewis Livestock Ltd., in liaison with Highlands and Islands Livestock Ltd., has initiated a cooperative marketing scheme involving the sale of store lambs from crofts in the Western Isles to finishing farms on the British mainland. The crofter-producers’ revenue depends on the sale price to finishers which is based primarily on liveweight recorded at the Island Collection Centres. Management problems have arisen due to losses in liveweight between weighing in the Islands and off-loading and weighing on mainland farms (time interval ranges from 14 to 26 hours) since finishers feel that they are being charged excessively for the weight of lamb as delivered to their farms. A study was undertaken to quantify the extent of this weight loss and try to identify predisposing causes.

The effect of strain, initial liveweight and feed type on the growth, performance and carcass characteristics of Scottish Blackface lambs

Store lambs produced from hill ewes make a significant contribution to lamb meat production, particularly during the winter months. Studies of store stock marketing in Scotland reveal that hill store lambs are criticised frequently for unpredictable growth, poor conformation and low carcass and saleable meat yields (1,2). Trials using Scottish Blackface lambs of a single strain and source suggest that poor performance is a function of inappropriate feeding method and premature slaughter (3). This trial looks at strain ,feeding systems and strain:feed interaction as sources of variation in the growth performance and carcass characteristics of Scottish Blackface lambs.

Treatment of barley straw with mixtures of calcium hydroxide and urea : Effect on intake and digestibility in sheep

Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) is widely available in Third World countries because of extensive limestone deposits. Previous studies (reviewed by Owen et al 1984) have shown Ca(OH)2-treated straw to be prone to mouldiness and low intakes. Urea was added to Ca(OH)2 in the present study to inhibit mould and supply nitrogen. Two experiments are reported which investigated the amounts of Ca(OH)2 and urea required for improving intake and digestibility of barley straw in sheep.Forty Suffolk x Mule store lambs (20 castrates, 20 ewe lambs) aged 8 months were used to measure intake and digestibility of 5 straws (Table 1) in a randomized block experiment, with blocking according to weight and sex. Animals were fed restricted concentrates (Table 1) and ad libitum straw (allowing refusals of 25% of intake) over a period of 35 days, with collection of faeces over the last 8 days. For treatment, straw was chopped, mixed with chemical solutions (Table 1) in a concrete mixer, and “ensiled” for 60 days (September & October) at 500 g dry matter (DM) per kg, in plastic bags contained in 45-gallon oil drums. Straw was aerated for 3 days before feeding. Untreated straw was simply chopped before feeding.

The role of magnesium in the aetiology of urolithiasis in fattening store lambs and intensively reared lambs

High dietary levels of magnesium (> 2 g/kg DM) have been implicated as the main causal factor of urinary calculi in concentrated-fed lambs. Two experiments were performed to test this belief.Three pelleted Diets A, B and C, contained magnesium in- the following concentrations, A 2.9; B 8.6 ; C 2.9 g/kg DM. Calcined Magnesite was used as the source of extra magnesium in Diet B.Diets A and B were each fed to twenty four Blackface lambs and the control group of 160 lambs was fed Diet C and ad lib hay. Details of diets and estimated mineral intakes are shown in tables 1 and 2.

The response of store lambs to dietary supplements of fish meal 2. effects of level of feeding

ABSTRACTForty-eight, individually-penned lambs (mean live weight 31·4 kg) were given diets with or without fish meal (0 and 90 g intake daily) in sufficient quantities to provide energy for maintenance and either 100, 150 or 200 g daily gain. Nitrogen (N) degradability in the rumen and fractional outflow rates of protein supplements were determined and the diets formulated such that the lambs received about 2·2 and 6·7 g undegradable rumen N daily on all three feeding levels.Live-weight gains were generally greater during the first 3 weeks than during the final 4 weeks of the experiment. Lambs given fish meal had greater gains (P < 0·001) throughout the experiment, but there was a feeding level x protein interaction (P < 0·05) during the first 3 weeks, such that the difference between diets with or without fish meal was greater at the highest feeding level.Retention of N increased with feeding level (P < 0·001) and was greatest when fish meal was given (P < 0·001). There was a feeding level x protein interaction (P < 0·05) for g N retained per 100 g N digested; N retention increased with feeding level only when fish meal was given.

The response of store lambs to dietary supplements of fish meal 1. Effects of forage-to-concentrate ratio

ABSTRACTForty-eight individually-penned lambs (mean live weight 31-4 kg) were offered one of four diets, to investigate response to a supplement of fish meal (0 and 100 g dry matter (DM) per kg M) given with diets of either 60: 40 or 40: 60 forage-to-concentrate ratio. Nitrogen (N) degradability in the rumen and fractional outflow rates of protein supplements were determined. The diets were formulated such that the lambs received about 3 or 9 g undegradable rumen N per kg DM. The diets were given daily to provide sufficient metabolizable energy for maintenance and 150 g gain, and were adjusted according to live weight at weekly intervals.Fish-meal supplementation improved daily growth over a 49-day period (P < 0·001) and enhanced N retention (P < 0·001). Live-weight gain was also marginally improved on the high-forage diets. (P < 0-05), but there was no protein supplement × forage-to-concentrate ratio interaction. Apparent digestibility of acid detergent fibre was improved by the fish-meal supplement on the high-concentrate diet.The four diets were also given to rumen-fistulated sheep. The high-concentrate diet was associated with a higher molar proportion of propionate (P < 0·05) and a lower proportion of acetate (P < 0·001). Rumen concentrations of ammonia tended to be maintained at higher levels throughout the day by the fish-meal supplement.

The effect of supplementing silage with fish meal for finishing store lambs

As the performance of store lambs on silage alone is often disappointing and feeding cereals reduces margins considerably, supplementing with fish meal offered an economic alternative for investigation.The aim of the system was to finish lambs indoors (gaining 8 - 10 kg over 3-4 months ie 90 g/day DLWG) on a mainly forage diet to achieve a gross margin of at least £5 per lamb.80 Suffolk x Scotch halfbred store lambs (AV 35 kg) were offered good quality precision chop grass silage at grass for three weeks. They were then divided into Control (C) and Treatment (T) groups at housing in mid November.

The response of store lambs to protein supplementation of a roughage-based diet

ABSTRACTThe response of 35-kg store lambs to diets containing increasing rumen-undegradable nitrogen (UDN) concentrations was measured by live-weight gain and nitrogen (N) balance. A range of UDN concentrations from 2·4 to 7·2 g/kg dietary dry matter was achieved by supplementing a basal diet of NaOH-treated barley straw, tapioca, extracted rapeseed meal and minerals with both formaldehyde-treated rapeseed meal and fish meal. Sufficient diet to provide maintenance and a growth rate of 150 g/day was given to the lambs, according to live weight. Increasing levels of UDN promoted a linear increase in live-weight gain and N retention. However, the response to fish meal was greater than that for formaldehyde-treated rapeseed meal. The true digestibility of N of formaldehyde-treated rapeseed meal determined in chickens by ileal analysis was low in comparison to that of untreated rapeseed meal.

The Effects upon the intake and performance of store lambs of supplementing grass silage with barley, fish meal and rapeseed meal

ABSTRACTTwo experiments are described in which individually-penned Suffolk × (Blue-faced Leicester × Swaledale) lambs were given complete diets based on grass silage, and voluntary intake, live-weight gain and nitrogen (N) retention were measured.Experiment 1 investigated the effects of supplements of fish meal (0, 60 and 120 g/kg diet dry matter (DM)) and barley (0, 150 and 300 g/kg diet DM) in a 3 × 3 design using 72 lambs. The lambs averaged 35 kg live weight at the start of the 47-day experiment. Fish-meal supplements increased daily intakes of diet DM, silage DM and metabolizable energy (ME), and improved daily gains, carcass weights and N retention. Barley supplements increased daily intakes of diet DM and ME, but reduced silage DM intake; live-weight gain, carcass weight and N retention were all improved.Experiment 2 investigated the effects of supplements of rapeseed meal (0 and 120 g/kg diet DM) in two forms (untreated and formaldehyde-treated) and barley (0 and 150 g/kg diet DM) in a 2 × 2 × 2 design with two missing treatments and using 48 lambs. The lambs averaged 39 kg live weight at the start of the 42-day experiment. Rapeseed meal supplements increased daily intakes of diet DM, silage DM and ME, and improved daily gains, carcass weights and N retention. Form of rapeseed meal had no effect. Barley increased diet DM and ME intakes and improved daily gains and carcass weights.

Upland sheep production systems

AbstractUpland sheep production systems based on the utilisation of enclosed sown pastures are considered in relation to environmental constraints, recent trends in marketing requirements and a continuing need to improve economic efficiency. The need for quantitatively described decision making in relation to both the testing, development and application of new technology is discussed with particular reference to those factors influencing herbage growth, utilisation and management.Relatively few upland farms are capable of producing marketable fat lambs before the decline in returns per kg lamb in June. Although higher returns for heavier fat or store lambs can be obtained in the autumn, the degree to which this maximizes the returns per ha will be dependent upon the stocking rate and ewe and lamb performance during the summer. It will also be dependent on the extent to which there is competition for pasture in the autumn and its effect on ewe live weight and condition during the pre-mating and post-mating period; weight and condition will affect reproductive performance which has a substantial effect on returns per ha.The significance of sward height as a means of controlling the performance of sheep grazing sown pastures is reviewed in relation to ongoing and completed systems experiments and development projects. It is concluded that, for practical purposes, a sward height held between 3.5 and 5.5 cm will provide a sound basis for management of the lactating ewe and suckling lamb until weaning. The means of achieving sward height control in varying farming situations and the development of commercially viable management systems is considered.In the development of systems towards improving production efficiency, a better description of responses to both level and pattern of N used is required. The need for a better understanding of responses of the ewe in terms of ovulation rate and embryo wastage to changing sward characteristics in the autumn and to the use of supplementary feeding is also required. New techniques, such as the endocrine manipulation of reproductive performance, need to be assessed in relation to existing practices and performance.

The influence of size, sex, strain and food type on the finishing of Scottish Blackface store lambs

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Growth and carcass characteristics of Scottish Blackface store lambs

Growth and carcass characteristics of Scottish Blackface store lambs

The effect of silage dry matter content and protein supplementation on the intake and performance of housed store lambs

Silage based diets fed to store lambs have often produced unsatisfactory growth rates. The factors affecting silage dry matter intake and the utilisation of silage by store lambs are not clearly understood.In each of two years 1981/2 and 1982/3 spring born store lambs (initial liveweight 31 kg) were housed from October until January. Three types of silage were fed ad-libitum:-1. Unwilted + additive (UN + A).2. Wilted + additive (W + A).3. Wilted without additive (W).Two groups of 23 lambs were fed on each type of silage; one group without supplementation (Nil) and the other at 60 g white fishmeal per lamb per day (WFM).

Effect of silage chop length on intake and performance of store lambs

Results of previous experiments with store lambs have shown that intake of grass silage harvested with a flail chop harvester is quite lew but can be considerably increased if harvested with a precision chop harvester, resulting in much better lamb performance. A series of experiments. (El, E2) were, therefore, carried out to determine the optimum chop length of ryegrass silage as a basic source of winter feed for finishing store lambs.

The response of store lambs to protein supplementation of alkali treated straw based diets

Factors affecting voluntary food intake (VFI) in ruminants are well documented and suggest that both physical and chemical factors are involved. An understanding of VFI controls is important for the formulation of economical diets to achieve maximum levels of production.The effect of protein supply on VFI is unclear. While the need for rumen degradable protein (RDP) to maximise microbial activity and consequently VFI is clearly established ARC (1960), the effect of undegraded dietary protein (UDP) on VFI is equivocal.

The productivity of May‐lambing ewes grazed at three stocking rates on lowland grass

AbstractFor the 2 years 1977 and 1978 Masham ewes grazed a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne cv. S24) pasture from the beginning of April until the end of September each year. Twelve ewes were allocated to each of the three stocking rate treatments, 12 (L), 16 (M) and 20 (H) ewes per ha. Each treatment was rotationally grazed around six paddocks with a forward creep for the lambs. Conservation cuts were taken from each treatment in late May and were generally sufficient to cover a 3‐month winter feeding period for treatments L and M but were always insufficient for treatment H. Lambing took place at pasture during the second half of May. No concentrates were fed to the ewes during late pregnancy or lactation but lamb birth weights (4–8 kg) and lamb growth rates over the first 4 weeks (240 g d−l) were satisfactory. Organic matter intakes (OMI)of grass by the pregnant ewes(1816,1844 g OMI ewe−1) were not affected by the stocking rate. Intake of grass by the lactating ewes was affected by year and by stocking rate. The overall growth rate of lambs was higher on treatment L than either M or H but decreased on all treatments during the latter half of the grazing season, resulting in 43% of L and only 3% of M and H lambs being fit for slaughter by the end of September. The main features of this time of lambing are low costs and the production of predominantly store lambs.

INTENSIFICATION OF TARANAKI HILL COUNTRY

When your farm of 200 ha with poor contour is surrounded by properties 600 ha and more, the ideal solution would be to acquire more hectares and carry on store farming. The "more hectares" are not readily available, so plan one is scrapped and you again consider what you can do with your 200 hectares. It has rundown farm buildings, a tiny woolshed, an ancient water supply and is divided into 25 reasonably grassed, set-stocked paddocks of varying sizes. Selling wool, store lambs, cast for age ewes and running beef weaners was not paying for much extra labour, let alone major capital improvements, such as more fencing, fertilizer, and a much bigger woolshed. More farm generated finance was needed to make progress, so out went the beef cows, the rough ewes, the set stocking and the pretty rams. In came the bulls, easy care higher fertility rams, electric fencing, subdivision, more fertilizer and the fatten everything policy. And so far it seems to be working.

Use of processing to explore the factors affecting the digestion of forage cell walls

The dried herbage of early and late cut lucerne, red clover, Italian and perennial ryegrasses and timothy was offered in the long form or three processed forms at three levels of feeding (20, 30 and 40 g DM/kg LW) to store lambs in two experiments. Faecal output of organic matter and cell walls was determined. The potential digestibility of the cell walls of these feeds was determined in vitro. The depression in the cell wall digestion from this potential, observed in vivo, was related to water soluble carbohydrate content (WSC) and buffering capacity (BC) of the forages, their fineness of grinding (MF) and the level of feeding (LF). Uniform processing altered the chemical composition of all forages and produced a wide range of MF in the different forages. The digestion of the cell content fraction of the diets was not influenced by herbage species, fineness of grinding or level of feeding. The digestion of organic matter and cell wall was depressed by increasing LF and decreasing MF ( P < 0.001) and the interaction between herbage species and processing was significant ( P < 0.001). WSC and LF were positively correlated ( r = +0.706 and +0.611), and BC and MF were negatively correlated ( r = −0.498 and −0.498), with the depression observed in cell wall digestion. These four parameters, together with their significant interaction terms (WSC × BC), (WSC × LF) and (BC × MF), accounted for 95.1% of the variance observed in the depression of cell wall digestion and provided a basis for a hypothetical model of factors affecting cell wall digestion.

Growth of store lambs on cereal-based diets with protein or urea

ABSTRACTTwo experiments were conducted on the fattening of 8- to 10-month-old lambs weighing about 40 to 55 kg live weight, using diets based on whole barley sprayed with a solution of urea and minerals or supplemented with a pelleted fish-protein concentrate.In one experiment the lambs had been adapted to indoor conditions but had been subjected to low levels of nutrition. In the other experiment the lambs were not previously adapted to indoor conditions. The lambs in the first experiment suffered no growth check while the lambs taken inside did not gain in weight for 2 to 3 weeks. In both experiments the lambs showed a short term or compensatory growth response to protein after which there were no differences between lambs receiving fish-protein supplements or urea-fortified grain.The results are discussed in relation to response to protein and urea and the method of incorporating urea and minerals as solubles in whole grain is discussed.