Maintenance rations for Merino sheep. IV. The performance of adult Merino ewes fed daily and weekly at three levels of energy intake

1957 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
PK Briggs ◽  
MC Franklin ◽  
GL McClymont
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Sodium Chloride ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
The Body ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
The Mean

Dry adult Merino ewes were fed at daily or weekly intervals on oat grain at levels which provided 4.0, 3.0, or 2.0 lb starch equivalent (S.E.) per sheep per week. The experimental periods were 223, 223, and 181 days respectively. Differences between the mean body weights of the ewes a t the three levels of feeding were highly significant (P < 0.001). Body weight varied only slightly and no losses occurred in ewes fed weekly at the rate of 4.0 lb S.E. per head. Ewes fed daily a t this level had a significantly greater mean body weight (P < 0.001) a t the conclusion of the 223-day experimental period. The addition of a sodium chloride supplement did not improve the body weight or wool production of ewes fed weekly a t the level of 4.0 lb S.E. The mean body weight of ewes fed at the levels of 3.0 or 2.0 lb S.E. per head declined over the first 12 and 18 respectively and thereafter remained relatively constant. There were no significant differences at these levels of feeding between groups fed daily and weekly in respect of body weight, wool production, or survival rates. Ewes fed a t the level of 4.0 lb S.E. grew significantly more wool than those given 3.0 lb S.E. (P < 0.001). Losses were negligible in all groups except those fed a t the level of 2.0 lb S.E. In these groups there were few deaths in the first 16 weeks, but in the subsequent 10 weeks losses totalled 17.1 per cent. Ewes fed a t the level of 2.0 lb S.E. consumed their rations at a significantly slower rate (P < 0.01) than did those fed a t the level of 4.0 lb S.E.

Study of wool production per unit area of skin in Australian Merino sheep

1957 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 723 ◽  
Author(s):  
RE Chapman ◽  
SSY Young
Keyword(s):  
Unit Area ◽  
The Body ◽  
Marked Variation ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Body Regions ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Australian Merino

In a study of wool production per unit area of skin of Merino sheep, two strains of ewes, one strain of rams, and five strains of wethers were examined. A marked variation in weight of wool per unit area was found over the body regions of sheep. A distinct dorsoventral gradient, and some anteroposterior gradients were observed. Sampling positions having wool weights per unit area close to the mean over the body were situated on a line from mid-shoulder to mid-thigh positions. This was consistent for all the groups of animals studied. The mean wool production per unit area varied from sheep to sheep and from strain to strain. These differences were large and highly significant irrespective of level of feeding.

Maintenance of Merino sheep fed varying protein roughages with or without supplements of chopped lucerne hay and wheat.

1967 ◽  
Vol 7 (26) ◽  
pp. 206 ◽  
Author(s):  
MC Franklin ◽  
P McInnes ◽  
PK Briggs
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Wheat Straw ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
High Protein ◽  
The Other ◽  
Wheat Grain ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
The Mean

Merino wethers of 30 months of age were hand-fed in pens on low-(chaffed wheaten straw), medium-(84 per cent chaffed wheaten straw; 16 per cent chopped lucerne hay), and high-protein roughage (chopped wheaten hay, or 67.5 per cent chaffed wheaten straw : 32.5 per cent chopped lucerne hay) alone, or supplemented with wheat grain at daily or twice-weekly intervals. The experimental period was 26 weeks and emphasis was placed on the number of survivors, changes in body weight, and mean daily roughage intake. Data were also collected on wool production. No sheep survived on the low-protein roughage (LPR-2.7 per cent crude protein (CP) ). Seven out of 16 sheep in the medium-protein roughage group (MPR-5.2 per cent CP) survived for 26 weeks ; six of these, however, died in the following four weeks. All sheep survived on the two high-protein roughage diets (HPR(1) and HPR(2)-7.6 per cent CP). The wheat supplement increased the number of survivors in the LPR and MPR groups. There was no difference between results from the daily and twice-weekly supplemented groups. Mean daily roughage intake of the unsupplemented sheep increased at each level of protein in the roughage. Mean intake of chaffed wheat straw when fed alone was 220 g per sheep per day. The intake of the same straw when fed with chopped lucerne hay increased by 120 g per sheep per day in the group fed MPR, and by 344 g in the group fed HPR(1). The wheat supplement did not increase intake within any roughage group. Roughage intake was significantly decreased on the HPR(2) diet when a wheat supplement was given. Sheep fed HPR(2) grew more clean wool than sheep in the other unsupplemented groups. Differences between mean clean wool weights of daily and twice-weekly supplemented groups within each roughage group were not significant, but differences between the mean pooled wool weights of each supplemented roughage group were significant.

scholarly journals A Relationship Between Sulphur Content of Wool and Wool Production by Merino Sheep

1967 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 153 ◽  
Author(s):  
PJ Reis ◽  
DA Tunks ◽  
OB Williams ◽  
AJ Williams
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Sulphur Content ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Weight Index ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
The Relationship

The sulphur content of wool from 66 Peppin Merino wethers maintained together at pasture was measured in midside staples representing 49 weeks growth. The distribution of sulphur values was normal with a mean of 3�43 % and a range of 3�08-3�92 %. The sulphur content of the wool was inversely related to wool production among these sheep. There were no significant differences in the relationship when wool production was expressed as fleece weight index (F.W.I.), i.e. clean fleece weight/body weight (r = -0�48), as clean fleece weight (r = -0�42), or as wool growth per unit area of skin (r = - 0�37). The mean sulphur content of wool from sheep with the 10 highest values for F.W.I. was 3�27%, compared with a mean of 3 �55% sulphur for wool from sheep with the 10 lowest values for F.W.I.

Body-weight-fleece-weight relationships in a strain of Merino sheep

1956 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 57 ◽  
Author(s):  
PG Schinckel
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Surface ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

The relationship of body weight to wool production was examined in a flock of Merino sheep of South Australian strain over a period of 7 years. In only one out of 10 groups examined was there a significant correlation between body weight and the amount of clean wool produced per unit area of midside skin. It is concluded that body weight and wool production per unit area of body surface are independent. In all groups there was a highly significant correlation between clean fleece weight and clean wool per unit area of body surface in the midside region. The regression of log fleece weight on log body weight was determined in 15 groups. In no case was the regression coefficient significantly different from 0.60. As the regression of log surface area on log body weight in sheep is of the order of 0.60, it is concluded that wool production is proportional to fleece-bearing surface. The mean regression coefficients of log fleece weight on log body weight, calculated within sire and year groups, were: rams, 0.52 ± 0.056; ewes, 0.61 ± 0.038; wethers, 0.30 ± 0.068. There were no significant differences between sires in the regression of log fleece weight on log body weight. There were, however, highly significant differences between sire groups in mean log fleece weight, after adjustment for differences in log body weight. Skin areas 3 by 3 cm were tattooed on the left midside of 24 lambs at 1 month of age. The wool produced on these areas, and the areas of the tattoos, were measured at 4-monthly intervals from 4 months of age until 28 months. The amount of wool produced m7as proportional to the area in each of the six periods. There was also a highly significant difference between periods and between sheep in the amount of wool produced after adjustment for differences in tattoo area.

Comparative nitrogen digestibility in Brahman, Brahman × Shorthorn, Africander × Hereford, and Hereford Steers

1962 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 333-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. C. Ashton
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Nitrogen Metabolism ◽  
The Body ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Natural Pasture ◽  
Breed Difference ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Faecal Nitrogen ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Relationship

1. Eight nitrogen metabolism experiments, each with sixteen steers representing grade Brahman, Brahman x Shorthorn, Africander x Hereford and Herefords, were carried out. The steers were fed according to body weight to the power 0·73, on rations consisting of natural pasture hay alone or in combination with lucerne hay.2. These experiments showed that the steers with zebu blood were significantly superior to the Herefords with regard to dry-matter digestibility and apparent nitrogen digestibility. The breed difference disappeared when nitrogen digestibility was calculated from the relationship feed nitrogen minus undigested faecal residue nitrogen, divided by feed nitrogen.3. Two further nitrogen metabolism experiments with six Africander x Hereford and four Hereford steers fed natural pasture hay plus lucerne hay, and one experiment with two Brahman x Shorthorn, two Africander x Hereford and two Hereford steers fed chaffed wheat straw were carried out. The steers were fed an equal amount of ration, irrespective of body weight.4. In these three experiments faecal nitrogen was fractionated into undigested residue nitrogen, non-dialysable centrifugable nitrogen, non-dialysable non-centrifugable nitrogen, and dialysable nitrogen. The breed groups differed significantly in the amount of dialysable faecal nitrogen excreted but not in any other component.5. The amount of dialysable faecal nitrogen excreted on equal intake was very significantly negatively correlated with body weight (r = −0·807, P < 0·01).6. It was found that in two experiments the mean difference between Africander x Herefords and Hereford steers, mean body weights 863 and 686 lb., respectively, was 1·81 ± 0·51 g. nitrogen per day. It was calculated that this would represent about 70 ± 20% of the body-weight difference between the breeds if the lost nitrogen was fully utilizable. This agreed well with the estimate of 65% derived from the square of the correlation coefficient.

Food intake, growth and body composition in Australian Merino sheep selected for high and low weaning weight. 2. Chemical and dissectible body composition

1985 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Thompson ◽  
R. M. Butterfield ◽  
Diana Perry
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Strain Differences ◽  
The Body ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Low Weight ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Body Components

ABSTRACTThe changes in chemical and dissectible body composition from birth to maturity were examined in rams and ewes from flocks of Merino sheep selected for high (weight-plus) and low (weight-minus) weaning weight and from a randomly bred control flock. Body composition was examined in 34 mature animals and the maturing patterns for body components calculated using mean values from the mature animals and individual data from 106 immature animals.In the 34 mature animals, strain had no effect on the proportions of chemical and dissected fat, protein and muscle in the body. The weight-plus had greater proportions of ash and carcass bone in the body than the weight-minus animals. Mature rams had lower proportions of chemical and dissected fat and greater proportions of protein, muscle, ash and carcass bone in the body than mature ewes.The weight-minus animals had later maturing patterns for both chemical and dissected fat than the weight-plus animals. Strain had no effect on the maturing patterns for protein and muscle, although both ash and carcass bone were later maturing in the weight-plus, than in the weight-minus animals. Chemical and dissected fat were later maturing in the ewes than in the rams, whereas protein, muscle, ash and carcass bone were earlier maturing in the ewes than in the rams.The weight-minus animals were fatter at the heavier body weights, although there was a trend for the weight-plus animals to be slightly fatter at the lighter body weights. When compared at the same stage of maturity of body weight, strain differences in the proportion of fat in the body declined as the animals matured. Compositional differences between the rams and ewes varied according to the body weight or stage of maturity of body weight at which they were compared.

Effects of Chronic Exposure to Sublethal pH on Growth, Egg Production, and Ovulation in Brook Trout, Salvelinus fontinalis

1986 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. H. Tam ◽  
P. D. Payson
Keyword(s):  
Brook Trout ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Salvelinus Fontinalis ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
The Body ◽  
Oocyte Development ◽  
Control Fish ◽  
Ph Values ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
The Mean

Hatchery-reared brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) were maintained in the laboratory at mean pH values of 7.34, 5.56, 5.16, and 4.48 from early February to early December. At pH 4.48, the mean growth rates of males were uniformly lowered during the entire experimental period. Among females, growth was inhibited during the first 5 mo, but their rate of weight gain recovered during the period of rapid oocyte development. At the end of the experiment, the body weights of both male and female fish in pH 5.16 and 4.48 were only 70.70–77.34% of the control fish at pH 7.34. Growth was not affected by exposure to pH 5.56. Rapid oocyte development occurred simultaneously over all pH groups in June, suggesting that the initiation of gametogenesis was not affected over the range of pH tested, the number of eggs produced was significantly correlated to body weight; consequently the number of eggs produced by the smaller pH 5.16–4.48 females was reduced. Ovulation was also significantly delayed in the acidic groups.

scholarly journals Relationship between birth weight and body growth characteristics of lambs

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-201
Author(s):  
M.P. Petrovic ◽  
V.C. Petrovic ◽  
Z. Ilic ◽  
D. Ruzic-Muslic ◽  
M.M. Petrovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
The Body ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Maximum Weight ◽  
The Third ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Average Body ◽  
Average Body Weight

Research was carried out in population of R2 generation Pirot pramenka x Pirot improved sheep during period of three years. Lambs were divided into three groups: I from 2.5 kg to 3.5 kg; II from 3.6 kg to 4.5 kg; III from 4.6 kg to 5.5 kg. Weight of lambs was controlled at birth, with 30, 60 and 90 days of age. Average body weight at birth of the tested lambs was 3.35 kg in the first group, 4.30 kg in the second group and 5.06 kg in the third group. At 30 days of age, the body weight of the lambs was 10.19 kg in the first group, 11.39 kg in the second and 12.49 kg in the third group. All these differences in body weight of lambs at birth were statistically highly significant (P_ 0.01). With 60 days of age, average body weight was 16.48 kg in the first group, 19.01 kg in the second and 20.49 kg in the third group. Differences between groups of lambs at this age were statistically very significant (P_0.01).On the end of experiment at 90 days of lambs age, we have found the following values of the body weight of lambs: 26.35 kg in the first group, when the second 30.49 kg and 28.93 kg in the third group. Differences between groups of lambs at this age were statistically very significant (P_0.01). At the age of 90 days maximum weight of the body was in the second group of lambs, or a group which body weight at birth occupied the mean of the population. Correlations between body weights of lambs vary from weak to midsized values. The highest values of correlation coefficients were found between body weight at birth and weight of lambs at 30 days of age.

scholarly journals Hubungan Berat Induk dan Berat Sapi Anak Sapi

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-21
Author(s):  
Sulaiman Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
The Body ◽  
Frozen Semen ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Mating Method

ABSTRACT. A survey conducted to study a relationship between a dam body weight and a calf birth weight of cattle. There were six dams of Brahman Cross (B.C), six females calves of B.C dam, eleven local cattle dams and her eleven females calves, and another seven dams of local cattle and her seven male calves. The mean birth weight were local cattle and her seven male calves. The mean birth weight were 20.67 ±13.47 Kg for the female calf of B.C dam, and 19.27 ± 4.41 Kg for thr female calf of local cattle dam, and 18 ± 2.33 Kg for the male calf of local cattle dam. The mating method used was an artificial insemination and Brahman Cross frozen semen. The birth weight between the two groups of these female calves were not significantly different, and berween the two groubs of these female calves and the male calves were not significantly different. The body weights of B.C dams were not significantly correlated with their female calves ( r= + 0.7166, P0.05), and the local dam body weights were not significantly correlated with their female calves (r=+0.7450, P0.05), and with their male calves (r=+ 0.1948, P0.05). The equation of the regression lines were Y = 5.38 + 0.07 X for female calves and Y = 16.21 + 0.01 X for male calves. X dam body wight, and Y = calf birth weight.

The influence of the poll gene and of castration on production characters of male Merino sheep

1963 ◽  
Vol 3 (11) ◽  
pp. 262 ◽  
Author(s):  
RB Dun
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Ram Lambs ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Marking Time ◽  
Staple Length

Two drops of lambs were produced in spring 1959 and 1961 by mating poll rams (Pp) to knobbed ewes (pp). At marking time (1-4 wk), a random half of ram lambs of the Pp group and of the pp group were castrated. The rams and wethers were grown together and the following measurements were made-greasy fleece weight, clean scoured yield, clean fleece weight, staple length, crimps per inch, fold score, body weights at weaning and 17 months, and mortality to 17 months. The analyses showed no evidence of significant poll-genotype x sex interactions caused by superiority of Pp rams and pp wethers. It was concluded that segregation of the poll gene had no influence on any of the production characters studied. Rams cut six per cent more clean wool than wethers, but due to the large difference in size, clean wool production per lb body weight favoured wethers by 19 per cent. The ram's wool showed six per cent finer crimping than the wethers' fleece.

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