Energy and protein supplementation for shorn in-lamb ewes fed silage

Extract

Increased food intake of ewes has been noted at experimental and research centres as a consequence of shearing in mid-pregnancy (Great House EHF, 1972/3, Drayton EHF, 1976, 1977, Grassland Research Institute 1976). This should allow a greater reliance on cheaper home-grown forage to supply nutrients during the latter stages of pregnancy. Silage alone or with small amounts of energy and/or protein supplementary feed, may provide the nutrients to support shorn in-lamb ewes through to lambing.

One hundred and four shorn Border Leicester x Welsh Mountain ewes, penned in groups of 26, were offered silage ad libitum from housing in mid-January until lambing in early April. Six weeks before lambing, supplements were introduced. The treatments were either no supplement (Nil), rolled barley (B), white fishmeal (FM) or rolled barley plus white fishmeal (B + FM).