Crossbred ewes gain more weight and are fatter than Merino ewes when managed together but similar coefficients predict lamb birthweight and survival

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 767 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Hocking Edwards ◽  
E. Winslow ◽  
R. Behrendt ◽  
D. J. Gordon ◽  
G. A. Kearney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Similar Pattern ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Survival Curves ◽  
Target Condition ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Management Guidelines ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Lamb Survival

Current Australian ewe management guidelines are based on research from Merino ewes and have been transposed to crossbred ewes. It is unknown whether guidelines developed for Merino ewes are applicable to crossbred ewe production systems. To investigate this, the effect of ewe liveweight and condition score profile during pregnancy on lamb birthweight and survival for Border Leicester × Merino (BLM) crossbreds was compared with Merino ewes. Condition score profiles of 720 Merino and 680 BLM ewes were managed from 50 days after ram introduction to achieve one of four target condition scores at lambing. There were three replicates of the four target condition score treatments and both breeds of ewes were in each plot. By Day 140 after rams in, the BLM ewes were fatter (P < 0.001) and heavier (P < 0.001) than the Merino ewes, despite being managed in the same plots. Liveweight at conception and change in liveweight in late pregnancy of the Merino and BLM ewes had a similar effect on the birthweight and weaning weight of their lambs. However, birthweight and weaning weight of lambs from BLM ewes was less sensitive to ewe liveweight change in early pregnancy. Birthweight survival curves were similar in lambs from Merino and multiple-born lambs from BLM ewes, and the survival of lambs from multiple-bearing BLM ewes responded to manipulation of condition score in a similar pattern to lambs from Merino ewes. Therefore, managing liveweight or condition score of multiple-bearing BLM ewes is likely to improve lamb survival in a similar fashion to lambs from Merino ewes, although the absolute response in survival will be smaller than that achieved in Merino ewes at the same condition score. In addition, it is important to manage liveweight of both single and multiple-bearing BLM ewes during pregnancy to optimise weaning weight of their lambs, as those lambs born to BLM ewes of low liveweight were significantly lighter at weaning.

Offering maternal composite ewes higher levels of nutrition from mid-pregnancy to lambing results in predictable increases in birthweight, survival and weaning weight of their lambs

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (10) ◽  
pp. 1906 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Behrendt ◽  
J. E. Hocking Edwards ◽  
D. Gordon ◽  
M. Hyder ◽  
M. Kelly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Site Analysis ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Lamb Survival ◽  
Improvement In Survival ◽  
Management Groups ◽  
Management Of Nutrition ◽  
Optimum Production ◽  
Birth Type

Management of nutrition during pregnancy for maternal composite ewes has the potential to improve lamb production and survival in prime lamb production systems but existing condition score (CS) guidelines developed for Merinos may not be appropriate for the optimum production of maternal ewes. To address this, three replicated experiments were conducted at two research sites in Victoria and one in Western Australia. Ewes (781–800 per site) were allocated to four CS treatments following pregnancy scanning (~Day 50) and differentially fed to reach approximate targets of CS 2.4, 2.8, 3.2 and 3.6 by lambing. Single and multiple bearing ewes grazed together, and nutritional treatments were applied until the end of lambing after which ewes and lambs were aggregated into management groups containing all treatments. At lambing, maternal ewe liveweight had a range between treatments of 13.7–19.1 kg (average 16.4 kg) and CS varied by 1.1–1.5 of a CS (average 1.24). Across site analysis indicated that lamb birthweight and weaning weight increased with application of higher CS treatments (P < 0.001). There was also an improvement in survival of multiple born lambs with increasing CS at lambing (P < 0.001). Birthweight was significantly related to survival (P < 0.001) at all sites with no significant effect of birth type on lamb survival. Changes in birthweight and weaning weight could be predicted from ewe joining liveweight, ewe liveweight change to Day 90 and ewe liveweight change Day 90 to lambing. The coefficients derived for each of these effects were similar to those found in previous experiments examining Merino and crossbred Border Leicester Merino ewes. The optimum CS targets for multiple bearing maternal composite ewes may be higher than the industry recommended target for Merino ewes based on advantages in lamb survival and weaning weight.

scholarly journals Increasing lamb survival and lamb weaning weight through feeding high fecundity crossbred sheep

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 323-328
Author(s):  
C. Johns ◽  
J. Johns ◽  
D.R. Stevens
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
High Fecundity ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
Lamb Survival

The monitoring of a high fecundity ewe flock in the Te Anau basin demonstrates the process of improved feeding to improve lamb survival and growth to weaning. Feed budgeting was changed from traditional to tailored feed requirements based on measured ewe liveweight with wastage of 15% factored in. Feed allocation was changed from monthly to weekly increases during late pregnancy, and set stocking was delayed until the planned start of lambing. This increased late pregnancy feed allocation from 99 kg DM/ewe to 128 and 144 kg DM/ewe for twin and triplet bearing ewes, respectively. Ewe body condition score was maintained at between 3 and 3.5, with condition score loss between scanning and lambing being reduced to zero. Lamb survival and lamb liveweight gain to weaning increased in both twin and triplet bearing ewes. Pregnancy scanning increased from 200 to 222 lambs per 100 ewes, between 2007 and 2012, while lambing percentage (lambs weaned/ ewe mated) rose from 132% to 165%, with more ewes rearing lambs and rearing multiples. Lamb wastage declined from 37% in 2007 and 2008, to 25% in 2011 and 2012, though scanning percentage rose by 20%. Lamb weights increased from 27.5 to 36 kg/lamb at 100 days of age. The increase in the liveweight of lambs and ewes at weaning reduced the calculated feed requirements over summer and autumn, potentially releasing 70 to 110 kg DM/ewe to provide feed to meet the extra winter feed requirements. Keywords: ewe body condition score, feed allocation, lamb survival, lamb weaning weight

scholarly journals The birthweight and survival of Merino lambs can be predicted from the profile of liveweight change of their mothers during pregnancy

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 776 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Oldham ◽  
A. N. Thompson ◽  
M. B. Ferguson ◽  
D. J. Gordon ◽  
G. A. Kearney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Birth Rank ◽  
Maternal Genotype ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Lamb Survival ◽  
Poor Nutrition

The single largest influence on the survival of lambs in the first few days of life is their birthweight. Fetal growth and birthweight are regulated by genotype of the fetus, maternal genotype, maternal nutrition and the external environment. In this paper we report the extent to which the changes in maternal liveweight during pregnancy and lactation (liveweight profile) of Merino ewes can be used to predict the birthweight and survival of their progeny to weaning. At two sites [Victoria (Vic.) ~700 ewes and Western Australia (WA) ~300 ewes] in each of 2 years, a similar experiment used adult Merino ewes to explore effects of nutrition from joining to Day 100 of pregnancy and from Day 100 of pregnancy to weaning. The average difference between extreme treatments at Day 100 of pregnancy were 7 kg in ewe liveweight and 0.7 of a condition score (CS) and at lambing 11.9 kg and 1.3 of a CS. This resulted in average birthweights of progeny from different treatments ranging from 4.0 to 5.4 kg and survival to weaning ranging from 68 to 92%. Across the four experiments between 68 and 85% of all lamb deaths to weaning occurred within 48 h of birth. Lambs born to ewes in CS 2 at Day 100 of pregnancy were lighter (P < 0.05) in both years at the Vic. site than those from ewes in CS 3 at Day 100 of pregnancy. Lambs born to the ewes grazing a feed on offer of 800 kg DM/ha during late pregnancy were also lighter than those from other levels of feed on offer between 1100 and 3000 kg DM/ha at the Vic. site in both years and at the WA site in 1 year (P < 0.001). Lambs from the 800 kg DM/ha treatment during late pregnancy at the Vic. site had a lower survival than other treatments, especially in the second year. There were no significant effects of treatments on lamb survival at the WA site; however, the results were in the same direction. The birthweight of individual lambs was significantly related to the liveweight profile of their mothers. Their liveweight at joining, change in liveweight to Day 100 of pregnancy and change in liveweight from Day 100 to lambing all contributed (P < 0.05) to the prediction of the birthweight of their lambs. The responses were consistent across experimental sites and years, lamb birth rank and sex, and confirmed that the effects of poor nutrition up until Day 100 of pregnancy could be completely overcome by improving nutrition during late pregnancy. At the Vic. site, survival to 48 h was most influenced by the birthweight of the lamb and survival was significantly higher in single- than twin-born lambs and female than male lambs after adjusting for differences in birthweight. A higher chill index during the 48 h after birth reduced survival of both single and twin lambs to a similar extent, but reduced survival of male lambs more than female lambs. There were no effects of birthweight or chill index on lamb survival at the WA site where most lambs weighed more than 4 kg at birth and climatic conditions during lambing were less extreme. Overall, these results supported our hypothesis that improving the nutrition of Merino ewes during pregnancy increases birthweight and this leads to improved survival of their progeny.

scholarly journals Impact of change in body condition score in mid-late pregnancy in ewes fed a mixed diet on lamb survival and performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
pp. 211-219
Author(s):  
Sue McCoard ◽  
Shen-Yan Hea ◽  
Catherine McKenzie ◽  
Kirsty Hammond ◽  
Tim Smith
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Lamb Survival ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Mixed Age ◽  
Positive Effect

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect that body condition score of pregnant ewes fed on turnip and swede crops during mid-late gestation had on offspring survival and performance. Data were collected from 755 multiparous mixed-age ewes carrying 1–4 fetuses. Ewes grazed a turnip crop for 1 month prior to pregnancy scanning with supplementary ryegrass/clover baleage (~75 days gestation) followed by a swede crop with supplementary Lucerne baleage for 1 month following pregnancy scanning (to ~120 days gestation). Ewe body condition score (BCS) at mating, pregnancy scanning and pre-lambing, along with lamb survival and growth rates to weaning were recorded. Lamb survival from pregnancy scanning to tailing differed by litter size (P<0.001) with lower survival in litters with 3 or more lambs compared to singles and twins which did not differ. Improving BCS from pregnancy scanning to 120 days gestation had a positive effect on lamb survival irrespective of litter size and ewe age (P<0.001). Lamb survival in ewes ≥5 years of age, irrespective of litter size, was lower (P<0.001) compared to 2 or 3–4-year-old ewes, which in turn did not differ from each other. The key finding of the study was that loss in BCS from pregnancy scanning to 120 days gestation, negatively impacted on lamb survival, especially in ewes carrying 3 or more fetuses and in ewes >5 years of age irrespective of the number of fetuses carried. Furthermore, there was high variation in BCS change observed in both early and mid-pregnancy.  

Increasing weight gain during pregnancy results in similar increases in lamb birthweights and weaning weights in Merino and non-Merino ewes regardless of sire type

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 727 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. L. Paganoni ◽  
M. B. Ferguson ◽  
G. A. Kearney ◽  
A. N. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Prediction Equations ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Management Guidelines ◽  
Optimum Management ◽  
Sire Breed ◽  
Weight Gain During Pregnancy

Birthweight is the single largest determinant of survival in lambs and can be predicted from ewe liveweight at conception and liveweight changes during pregnancy. These prediction equations are known for Merino ewes, but it is unknown if they are applicable to non-Merino breeds. We tested the hypothesis that increasing conception weights of ewes will increase the birthweights, survival to weaning and weaning weights of their lambs, irrespective of ewe or sire breed, but that non-Merino lamb birthweights would be less responsive than Merino lamb birthweights, to changes in ewe liveweights during pregnancy. Ewe liveweight, lamb birth and weaning weight records from Merino sires mated to Merino ewes (MM), Border Leicester Merino (Maternal) sires mated to Merino ewes, Poll Dorset or Suffolk (Terminal) sires mated to Merino ewes (TM), and Terminal sires mated to Border Leicester Merino ewes (TMAT) were analysed from the 2007 to 2011 lambings of eight information nucleus flocks. Lamb birthweights increased by 0.032 ± 0.0012 kg from MM ewes and 0.024 ± 0.0026 kg from TMAT ewes with every 1-kg increase in conception weight (P < 0.001). Irrespective of breed, for every 1-kg increase in liveweight change during early and late pregnancy, lamb birthweights increased by 0.021 ± 0.0019 kg and 0.034 ± 0.0019 kg and weaning weights by 0.26 ± 0.013 kg and 0.09 ± 0.011 kg, respectively (P < 0.001). Survival to weaning of single, twin and triplet lambs was highest for lambs from TMAT ewes (89.3% ± 1.25, 84.6% ± 1.49 and 73.4% ± 2.35) and lowest for TM ewes (80.2% ± 1.89, 72.8% ± 2.09 and 57.4% ± 2.98; P < 0.001). Coefficients relating ewe liveweight change during pregnancy to lamb birthweights are similar for Merino and Maternal ewes, however conception weights of Maternal ewes are significantly heavier than Merino ewes when run together, and lamb birthweights from Maternal ewes are less responsive to ewe conception weights. The coefficients reported in this paper will enable development of optimum management guidelines for single-, twin- and triple-bearing Maternal ewes.

The effect of mid- and late-pregnancy shearing of hoggets on lamb birthweight, weaning weight, survival rate, and wool follicle and fibre characteristics

2006 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. 877 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. Kenyon ◽  
R. G. Sherlock ◽  
S. T. Morris ◽  
P. C. H. Morel
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Wool Follicle ◽  
Lamb Survival ◽  
Fibre Characteristics

Pregnancy shearing of mature ewes has been shown to influence lamb birthweight and sometimes lamb survival to weaning and wool follicle characteristics. However, the effects of shearing hoggets in mid- or late-pregnancy under New Zealand’s pastoral conditions have not been examined. This study was designed to determine the effects of mid- and late-pregnancy shearing on lambs born to Romney hoggets. Single-bearing hoggets were either shorn at average day 79 of pregnancy (n = 74), at average day 119 (n = 80), or left unshorn (n = 76) while their twin-bearing counterparts were either shorn at average day 79 of pregnancy (n = 18) or left unshorn (n = 12). Mid-pregnancy shearing was found to increase the birthweights of singles (by 0.32 kg, P < 0.05) in comparison with unshorn ewes; however, this relationship was not observed in twins. Neither mid- nor late-pregnancy shearing affected lamb survival to weaning. Singles born to late-pregnancy shorn ewes had whiter wool (P < 0.05) in comparison with lambs born to unshorn dams. Dam treatment had no other effects on follicle or wool characteristics. The results of this study indicate that mid-pregnancy shearing of hoggets can be used as a technique to increase birthweight in single lambs but not twin-born lambs. Pregnancy shearing had no effect on lamb survival rates to weaning, whereas shearing in late-pregnancy had minor effects on wool colour that would be unlikely to affect wool value in Romneys. Shearing in mid-pregnancy had no effect on either progeny follicle or wool characteristics.

scholarly journals Changes in physical activity across pregnancy among Chinese women: a longitudinal cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Lü ◽  
Yahui Feng ◽  
Shuai Ma ◽  
Yu Jiang ◽  
Liangkun Ma
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Chinese Women ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Central China ◽  
Dominant Form ◽  
Activity Questionnaire

Abstract Background Sufficient physical activity (PA) during pregnancy is beneficial for a woman’s health; however, the PA levels of Chinese women at different pregnancy stages are not clear. The aim of our study was to investigate PA changes during pregnancy and the association of population characteristics with PA change among Chinese women. Methods Data were obtained from 2485 participants who were enrolled in the multicentre prospective Chinese Pregnant Women Cohort Study. PA level was assessed in early pregnancy (mean = 10, 5–13 weeks of gestation) and again in mid-to-late pregnancy (mean = 32, 24–30 weeks of gestation) using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form (IPAQ-SF). Sufficient PA (≥ 600 MET min/week) in early pregnancy and insufficient PA in mid-to-late pregnancy indicated decreasing PA. Insufficient PA in early pregnancy and sufficient PA in mid-to-late pregnancy indicated increasing PA. The associations between demographic, pregnancy and health characteristics and PA changes were examined by multivariable logistic regression. Results Total energy expenditure for PA increased significantly from early (median = 396 MET min/week) to mid-to-late pregnancy (median = 813 MET min/week) (P < 0.001), and 55.25% of the participants eventually had sufficient PA. Walking was the dominant form of PA. Women with sufficient PA levels in early pregnancy were more likely to have sufficient PA in mid-to-late pregnancy (OR 1.897, 95% CI 1.583–2.274). Women in West China and those in Central China were most and least likely, respectively, to have increasing PA (OR 1.387, 95% CI 1.078–1.783 vs. OR 0.721, 95% CI 0.562–0.925). Smoking was inversely associated with increasing PA (OR 0.480, 95% CI 0.242–0.955). Women with higher educational levels were less likely to have decreasing PA (OR 0.662, 95% CI 0.442–0.991). Conclusions PA increased as pregnancy progressed, and walking was the dominant form of PA among Chinese women. Further research is needed to better understand correlates of PA change.

The effect of ammonia treatment on the intake of straw and hay when offered with rations of concentrates to ewes in late pregnancy

1985 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Orr ◽  
T. T. Treacher ◽  
V. C. Mason
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Spring Barley ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Barley Straw ◽  
Ammonia Treatment ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Forage Intake

ABSTRACTFinnish Landrace × Dorset Horn ewes were offered 300, 600 or 900 g fresh weight per day of concentrates and forage ad libitum from day 105 of pregnancy until lambing. Spring barley straw (S) or hay (H) was offered either untreated (U) or following treatment with anhydrous ammonia in an oven (T). Organic matter digestibilities (in vitro) were 0·42, 0·58, 0·42 and 0·60 and nitrogen contents were 7·2, 18·6, 12·0 and 25·0 g/kg dry matter for US, TS, UH and TH respectively. Forage intake did not differ between ewes carrying two or more foetuses but the small number of ewes carrying one foetus ate more straw (6·8 v. 4·5 g organic matter (OM) per kg live weight) than ewes carrying two or more foetuses. Ammonia treatment increased intake; the increase was larger on straw (4·6 v. 100 g OM per kg live weight) than on hay (9·0 v. 10·7 g OM per kg live weight). Replacement rates of forage by concentrates were -0·21, +0·06, -0·48 and +0·08 kg forage per kg concentrates for treatments US, TS, UH and TH respectively; only the value for treatment UH differed significantly from zero. On most treatments forage intake decreased as pregnancy progressed and the declines were greater when treated forages were offered. Concentrate level had a large effect on most aspects of ewe performance. Ewes offered treated forage gained slightly more weight in pregnancy (138 v. 104 g/day), had a slightly smaller decrease in body condition score (-0·54 v. -0·68) between day 105 and lambing but did not have greater lamb birth weights than ewes on untreated forage.

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