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An experimental study of the early weaning of lambs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

I. D. Wardrop
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, University of Melbourne
D. E. Tribe
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, University of Melbourne
J. B. Coombe
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, University of Melbourne

Extract

Two early weaning experiments are reported. When grazing young, high protein pastures, lambs weaned at 7, 10, 13 and 18 weeks of age grew equally well and there were no significant differences between their carcass weights, grades, and dressing percentages.

However, when grazing pastures in the preflowering and flowering stages of growth, lambs weaned at 8 weeks of age did not grow as well as unweaned controls. Their carcass weights, grades, and dressing percentages were also inferior. It is suggested that these differences were primarily due to an inadequate protein intake.

No difference in wool production was found either between the ewes of early weaned and control lambs, or between the lambs themselves.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1960

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References

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