Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dlnhk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-30T21:31:20.865Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Breed of ewe effects on the utilisation of pasture maintained at two sward heights

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 November 2017

J M Doney ,
A D M Smith ,
D A Sim  and
I R White
J M Doney
Affiliation:
Hill Farming Research Organisation, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 OPY
A D M Smith
Affiliation:
Hill Farming Research Organisation, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 OPY
D A Sim
Affiliation:
Hill Farming Research Organisation, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 OPY
I R White
Affiliation:
Hill Farming Research Organisation, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 OPY
Get access

Extract

An experiment was carried out at the Glensaugh research station to investigate the effects of breeds of ewe, differing in mature body size on the utilisation of a long-established reseed maintained at sward heights of 3.5 and S.5 cm until weaning.

The experimental area, dominated by Lolium perenne (40%), Poa spp (30%) with other grasses (10%) and weed species (20%), was divided into 12 plots each of 0.7 ha. When the mean sward height reached at least 3.5 cm in every plot (13.5.85) they were each stocked with 9 ewes + 15 lambs from one of 3 ewe genotypes (Border Leicester x Blackface, GF; East Friesland x Blackface, EFX; Cheviot x Shetland, SHX) in two replicates. All lambs were sired by Suffolk rams.

Mean sward height, herbage mass and estimated herbage accumulation rate were measured weekly and ewes and lambs were weighed weekly. Sward heights were maintained on each plot by movement of an electric fence to vary the grazing area. The area behind the fence was maintained at an equal sward height by non-experimental ewes and lambs to permit movement in any direction. The lambs were approximately 6 weeks old at the beginning of the trial and were weaned after 13 weeks on the plots.

Type
Sheep Production
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972) , Volume 1986 , March 1986 , pp. 78
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Production 1986

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)