Ewe Lamb Nutrition and

Ewe ProductivityD. L. Thomas

Department of Animal Sciences

Y. M. BergerSpooner Agricultural Research Station

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Nutrition of Ewe Lamb

Replacements

��Feeding replacement ewe lambs Feeding replacement ewe lambs

for maximum gains may decrease for maximum gains may decrease

adult productivity.adult productivity.

��OverOver--feeding may decrease her feeding may decrease her

adult milk production and adult milk production and

weaning weights of her lambs. weaning weights of her lambs.

Hohenboken et al. 1995. Acta Agric. Scand. Sect. A Anim. Hohenboken et al. 1995. Acta Agric. Scand. Sect. A Anim.

Sci. 45:92Sci. 45:92--98.98.

100100--11,88011,8801.611.61

909010,78010,7801.891.89

10010011,93511,9351.281.28FriesianFriesian

828210,34010,3401.861.86

868610,78010,7801.581.58

10010012,48512,4851.211.21Danish RedDanish Red

80809,0759,0751.231.23

939310,45010,4501.071.07

JerseyJersey

BreedBreed

10010011,27511,275.80.80

%%Milk, lb.Milk, lb.ADG, lb.ADG, lb.

Prepubertal ADG in Danish Dairy CattlePrepubertal ADG in Danish Dairy Cattle

1001003.563.5694.294.2SlowSlow33

82822.912.91140.4140.4FastFast

1001003.463.46100.3100.3SlowSlow22

87873.023.02126.7126.7FastFast

80802.612.61141.2141.2FastFast

100100

%%

Umberger et al. 1985. Theriogenolgy 23:555Umberger et al. 1985. Theriogenolgy 23:555--564. (North 564. (North

Carolina)Carolina)

11

TrialTrial

3.263.2697.297.2SlowSlow

2424--hr. hr.

milk, lb.milk, lb.Weight, Weight,

lb.lb.Trt.Trt.

Breeding Weight in Ewe LambsBreeding Weight in Ewe Lambs

100100.59.59.44.44SlowSlow33

9393.55.55.59.59FastFast

100100.75.75.38.38SlowSlow22

8181.61.61.51.51FastFast

103103.79.79.47.47FastFast

100100

%%

McCann et al. 1989. Theriogenolgy 32:55McCann et al. 1989. Theriogenolgy 32:55--68. (North 68. (North

Carolina)Carolina)

11

TrialTrial

.77.77.35.35SlowSlow

44--hr. hr.

milk, lb.milk, lb.ADG, lb.ADG, lb.Trt.Trt.

Prepubertal ADG in Ewe LambsPrepubertal ADG in Ewe Lambs

Why?

EnergyGrowth

Hormone

Udder

Tissue

EnergyFat

Tissue

Udder

Tissue

Leptin

Recommendation From Review of Past

Dairy Cattle and Sheep Studies(Tolman and McKusick, 2001)

To ensure maximum milk production To ensure maximum milk production

in ewes, ewe lamb replacements should in ewes, ewe lamb replacements should

be fed to gain at no more than 65 to be fed to gain at no more than 65 to

75% of maximum gain from about 1.5 75% of maximum gain from about 1.5

to 5 months of age.to 5 months of age.

Spooner Study

�� Dairy ewe lambs born in 2004, 2005, and Dairy ewe lambs born in 2004, 2005, and 2006 at the Spooner Ag Research Station.2006 at the Spooner Ag Research Station.

�� Ewe lambs raised on milk replacer and a Ewe lambs raised on milk replacer and a 22% CP grower diet to 30 days of age22% CP grower diet to 30 days of age

�� FullFull--fed group fed 22% creep/grower fed group fed 22% creep/grower diet and then a 13% finishing diet diet and then a 13% finishing diet adad

libitumlibitum in inside pens from 1.5 to 5 in inside pens from 1.5 to 5 months of age.months of age.

�� RestrictedRestricted--fed group fed same diet as fed group fed same diet as fullfull--fed group but at ~70% of the intake fed group but at ~70% of the intake of the fullof the full--fed group.fed group.

Spooner Study

�� After 5 months of age, two groups fed and After 5 months of age, two groups fed and

managed together.managed together.

�� Ewes exposed first at 7 to 8 months of age, and Ewes exposed first at 7 to 8 months of age, and

production monitored for at least two parities.production monitored for at least two parities.

�� Production traits measured: body weights, Production traits measured: body weights,

gains, and feed consumption during the gains, and feed consumption during the

experimental feeding period; weights at first experimental feeding period; weights at first

mating and lambing; fertility; prolificacy; milk mating and lambing; fertility; prolificacy; milk

production; milk composition.production; milk composition.

Feeding Management

�� Fed in indoor pens bedded Fed in indoor pens bedded

with straw.with straw.

�� 2 Full2 Full--Fed and 2 RestrictedFed and 2 Restricted--

Fed pens each yearFed pens each year

�� Diet of whole shelled corn + Diet of whole shelled corn +

high protein pellet.high protein pellet.

�� Pen feed consumption was Pen feed consumption was

recorded daily, and lambs recorded daily, and lambs

were weighed weekly.were weighed weekly.

�� Fed small amount of hay Fed small amount of hay

(.40 (.40 -- .45 lb./.45 lb./hd./dhd./d).).

a,b (P < 0.05).

.75.91.73

Restricted/

Full

2.35b.411.94b6Restricted

3.12a.452.67a6Full feed

Total, lb.Hay, lb.Grain, lb.No. pensTreatment

Average daily feed consumption per head for full-

or restricted-fed dairy ewe lambs.

Figure 1. Body weights of ewe lambs during the treatment

period.

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

49 63 77 91 105 119 132 148

Age, days

Weig

ht,

lb

.

Full Restricted

ADG, ADG,

lb.lb.

Weight, lb.Weight, lb.Age, daysAge, daysNo. No.

lambslambs

123123

129129

.54.54dd

.72.72cc

9393dd

107107cc

EndEnd

a,ba,bPP < 0.10, < 0.10, c,dc,dPP < 0.05< 0.05

3737bb1481485151FullFull

3939aa1491494949RestrictedRestricted

StartStartEndEndStartStartFeedFeed

Growth of FullGrowth of Full-- and Restrictedand Restricted--Fed Dairy Fed Dairy

Cross Ewe LambsCross Ewe Lambs

ADG Restricted / ADG Full = .54 / .72 = .75

ADG mat.ADG mat.--

lamb., lb.lamb., lb.Lambing Lambing

wt., lb.wt., lb.ADG endADG end--

mat., lb.mat., lb.Mating Mating

wt., lb.wt., lb.No. No.

LambsLambsFeedFeed

118118

127127

.20.20aa

.15.15bb

a,ba,bPP < 0.05, < 0.05, c,dc,dPP < 0.10< 0.10

161161dd.35.35bb136136aaFullFull

166166cc.48.48aa132132bbRestrictedRestricted

First Mating and Lambing Weights of FullFirst Mating and Lambing Weights of Full--

and Restrictedand Restricted--Fed Dairy Cross Ewe LambsFed Dairy Cross Ewe Lambs

Prolificacy, no.Prolificacy, no.Fertility, %Fertility, %No. ewesNo. ewesFeedFeed

118118

126126 1.481.488686FullFull

1.501.509090RestrictedRestricted

Reproduction of 1Reproduction of 1--YearYear--Old Ewes FullOld Ewes Full-- and and

RestrictedRestricted--Fed as LambsFed as Lambs

Prolificacy, Prolificacy,

no.no.Fertility, Fertility,

%%No. No.

exposuresexposuresNo. No.

ewesewesFeedFeed

101101

102102 2.032.039696176176FullFull

2.062.069393178178RestrictedRestricted

Reproduction of 2Reproduction of 2--YearYear--Old and Greater Old and Greater

Ewes FullEwes Full-- and Restrictedand Restricted--Fed as LambsFed as Lambs

Milking

��Machine milked in a Machine milked in a

doubledouble--12 parlor12 parlor

��Milk yield, % fat, and Milk yield, % fat, and

% protein measured % protein measured

once per monthonce per month

��Milking ended when test Milking ended when test

day yield was less than 1 day yield was less than 1

lb.lb.

600600183183240240103103RestrictedRestricted

620620186186236236102102FullFull

Milk Milk

yield, lb.yield, lb.FeedFeedLactation Lactation

length, dlength, dNo. No.

lactationslactationsNo. No.

ewesewes

Lactation Performance of Ewes FullLactation Performance of Ewes Full-- or Restrictedor Restricted--

Fed as LambsFed as Lambs

30304.84.835355.75.7RestrictedRestricted

31314.94.937375.85.8FullFull

Protein Protein

yield, lb.yield, lb.FeedFeedProtein, Protein,

%%Fat Fat

yield, lb.yield, lb.Fat, Fat,

%%

Lactation Performance of Ewes FullLactation Performance of Ewes Full-- or Restrictedor Restricted--

Fed as LambsFed as Lambs

If all ewes were still present on 6/30/09, average age would havIf all ewes were still present on 6/30/09, average age would have been about e been about

53 months.53 months.

39394242118118RestrictedRestricted

38384646127127FullFull

Age when Age when

leaving, leaving, monthsmonthsaaItemItem% present, % present,

6/30/096/30/09No. ewe No. ewe

lambs matedlambs mated

Flock Retention to June 30, 2009 by Nutrition Flock Retention to June 30, 2009 by Nutrition

Treatment and BreedTreatment and Breed

Summary of Results

Feeding ewe lambs 73% of ad libitum supplement Feeding ewe lambs 73% of ad libitum supplement intake from 1.5 to 5 months of age instead of ad intake from 1.5 to 5 months of age instead of ad libitum resulted in:libitum resulted in:

�� 75% of maximum ADG,75% of maximum ADG,

�� .73 lb./hd./d less supplement consumption .73 lb./hd./d less supplement consumption

(73 lb./(73 lb./hdhd less over 100 days),less over 100 days),

�� $5.80 $5.80 -- $7.30/hd. less supplement cost,$7.30/hd. less supplement cost,

�� and no detrimental or positive effects on and no detrimental or positive effects on

body weight at first lambing, body weight at first lambing,

reproduction, lactation performance, or reproduction, lactation performance, or

flock retentionflock retention

Recommendations

�� Young replacement ewe lambs can be fed at 73% Young replacement ewe lambs can be fed at 73%

of maximum supplement intake for a feed savings of maximum supplement intake for a feed savings

of ~ $6.60, orof ~ $6.60, or

�� Young replacement ewe lambs can be fullYoung replacement ewe lambs can be full--fed with fed with

the market lambs for conveniencethe market lambs for convenience

�� However, the results strongly suggest that However, the results strongly suggest that

replacement dairy ewe lambs need to be wellreplacement dairy ewe lambs need to be well--fed fed

from 1.5 to 5 months of agefrom 1.5 to 5 months of age

�� The fullThe full--fed ewe lambs produced 20 lb. more (N.S.) fed ewe lambs produced 20 lb. more (N.S.)

milk each lactation than restrictedmilk each lactation than restricted--fed ewe lambs fed ewe lambs

for increased milk income of $14.00/year. for increased milk income of $14.00/year.

ADG, ADG,

lb.lb.

Weight, lb.Weight, lb.Age, daysAge, daysNo. No.

lambslambs

126126

126126

.62.62bb

.64.64aa

9898dd

102102cc

EndEnd

a,ba,bPP < 0.10, < 0.10, c,dc,dPP < 0.05< 0.05

39391471475050> 50% EF> 50% EF

38381481485050> 50% LA> 50% LA

StartStartEndEndStartStartBreedBreed

Growth of East Friesian and Lacaune Ewe Growth of East Friesian and Lacaune Ewe

LambsLambs

ADG mat.ADG mat.--

lamb., lb.lamb., lb.Lambing Lambing

wt., lb.wt., lb.ADG endADG end--

mat., lb.mat., lb.Mating Mating

wt., lb.wt., lb.No. No.

LambsLambsBreedBreed

124124

121121

.18.18

.17.17

a,ba,bPP < 0.05, < 0.05, c,dc,dPP < 0.10< 0.10

164164.43.43cc136136aa> 50% EF> 50% EF

163163.41.41dd132132bb> 50% LA> 50% LA

First Mating and Lambing Weights of East First Mating and Lambing Weights of East

Friesian and Lacaune Dairy Ewe LambsFriesian and Lacaune Dairy Ewe Lambs

Prolificacy, no.Prolificacy, no.Fertility, %Fertility, %No. ewesNo. ewesBreedBreed

124124

120120

a,ba,bPP < 0.10< 0.10

1.561.56aa8888> 50% EF> 50% EF

1.421.42bb8888> 50% LA> 50% LA

Reproduction of 1Reproduction of 1--YearYear--Old East Friesian Old East Friesian

and Lacaune Ewesand Lacaune Ewes

Prolificacy, Prolificacy,

no.no.Fertility, Fertility,

%%No. No.

exposuresexposuresNo. No.

ewesewesBreedBreed

104104

9999 2.072.079494184184> 50% EF> 50% EF

2.032.039595170170> 50% LA> 50% LA

Reproduction of 2Reproduction of 2--YearYear--Old and Greater Old and Greater

East Friesian and Lacaune EwesEast Friesian and Lacaune Ewes

a,ba,bPP < 0.01< 0.01

581581bb183183234234106106> 50% LA> 50% LA

639639aa1861862422429999> 50% EF> 50% EF

Milk Milk

yield, lb.yield, lb.BreedBreedLactation Lactation

length, dlength, dNo. No.

lactationslactationsNo. No.

ewesewes

Lactation Performance of East Friesian or Lactation Performance of East Friesian or

Lacaune EwesLacaune Ewes

a,ba,bPP < 0.01< 0.01

30305.05.0aa36366.16.1aa> 50% LA> 50% LA

31314.74.7bb36365.55.5bb> 50% EF> 50% EF

Protein Protein

yield, lb.yield, lb.BreedBreedProtein, Protein,

%%Fat Fat

yield, lb.yield, lb.Fat, Fat,

%%

Lactation Performance of East Friesian and Lactation Performance of East Friesian and

Lacaune EwesLacaune Ewes

40404848121121> 50% EF> 50% EF

37374040124124> 50% LA> 50% LA

If all ewes were still present on 6/30/09, average age would havIf all ewes were still present on 6/30/09, average age would have been about e been about

53 months.53 months.

Age when Age when

leaving, leaving, monthsmonthsaaItemItem% present, % present,

6/30/096/30/09No. ewe No. ewe

lambs matedlambs mated

Flock Retention to June 30, 2009 by Nutrition Flock Retention to June 30, 2009 by Nutrition

Treatment and BreedTreatment and Breed