Effect of Breeding Heavier Romney Ewe Lambs at Seven Months of Age on Lamb Production and Efficiency over Their First Three Breeding Seasons

Emmanuelle Haslin; Rene A. Corner-Thomas; Paul R. Kenyon; Emma J. Pettigrew; Rebecca E. Hickson; Steve T. Morris; Hugh T. Blair

doi:10.3390/ani11123486

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Effect of Breeding Heavier Romney Ewe Lambs at Seven Months of Age on Lamb Production and Efficiency over Their First Three Breeding Seasons

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Effect of Breeding Heavier Romney Ewe Lambs at Seven Months of Age on Lamb Production and Efficiency over Their First Three Breeding Seasons

Emmanuelle Haslin, Rene A. Corner-Thomas, Paul R. Kenyon, Emma J. Pettigrew, Rebecca E. Hickson, Steve T. Morris and Hugh T. Blair

Animals (Basel), Vol.11(12), 3486

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11123486

PMID: 34944262

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Abstract

energy requirements

total lamb weaning weight

predicted pasture intake

feed efficiency

This experiment examined the effect of breeding heavier ewe lambs on lamb production and their efficiency over their first three breeding seasons. Two groups of ewe lambs were bred at seven months of age at an average pre-breeding live weight of either 47.9 ± 0.36 kg (heavy; = 135) or 44.9 ± 0.49 kg (control; = 135). Ewe live weight, number of lambs born and weaned, and lamb live weight were recorded until 39 months of age, and efficiency was calculated for each ewe. Although the number and lamb weaning weight did not differ between treatments over three years, when data were pooled, heavier ewe lambs at breeding weaned a greater number of lambs over the three-year period. The total lamb weaning weight over the three-year period increased by 2% for each additional kilogram at ewe lamb breeding. Breeding heavier ewe lambs had no effect on efficiency. These results suggest that although breeding heavier ewe lambs had a positive effect on lamb production over the three-year period, it had no effect on efficiency. Before final recommendations can be made, lifetime performance and longevity to five years of age of heavier ewe lambs at breeding are required.

Details

Title: Effect of Breeding Heavier Romney Ewe Lambs at Seven Months of Age on Lamb Production and Efficiency over Their First Three Breeding Seasons
Authors/Creators: Emmanuelle Haslin - Massey University
Rene A. Corner-Thomas - Massey University
Paul R. Kenyon - Massey University
Emma J. Pettigrew - Massey University
Rebecca E. Hickson - Massey University
Steve T. Morris - Massey University
Hugh T. Blair - Massey University
Publication Details: Animals (Basel), Vol.11(12), 3486
Publisher: MDPI
Number of pages: 20
Identifiers: 991005831944307891
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Agricultural Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.51 Dairy & Animal Sciences; 3.51.115 Livestock Reproduction
Web Of Science research areas: Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science; Veterinary Sciences; Zoology
ESI research areas: Plant & Animal Science