Effects of the utilization of mountain resources on Body Condition scoring in Latxa ewes and its consequences on reproductive performance.

Extract

In the productive cycle of Latxa sheep we can distinguish two different periods. In winter and spring months the flocks are grazing the valley meadows and receiving indoors supplementation in relation to the productive situation of ewes, late pregnancy, suckling or milking. In the rest of the year, 120-180 days, which correspond to the main part of summer and autumn, the ewes are grazing mountain communal pastures (700-1.400 m. altitude) without any supplementation and little surveillance. Since in this period the ewes theoretically recover their body reserves, and the mating takes place, we have studied the evolution of Body Condition score (BCS) of ewes and the effect of BCS on the reproductive performance of the ewes.

During two years we have determinated monthly the BCS of 20% of the ewes older than 1 year in 14 commercial flocks of Latxa breed. During the visits we made also a visual evaluation of the grazed areas, and the height of the grass in the pastured areas was determinated by means of the H.F.R.O. Sward Stick, if possible.