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The management and performance of a flock lambed in May

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 November 2017

C R Stone
C R Stone*
Affiliation:
Liscombe Experimental Husbandry Farm, Dulverton, Somerset TA22 9PZ
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Extract

By lambing upland ewes in May, it is possible to match the ewe's nutritional needs closely with grass growth (Newton et al 1982). Requirements for high cost housing and supplementary feeding during late pregnancy can be minimised. The resulting late born lambs should be available for sale as ‘out of season’ lamb when prices are at their highest. Delayed tupping, however, has been shown to reduce lambing performance in most breeds due to a lower ovulation rate (Land et al 1969). Ewe fertility, by contrast, is not affected as oestrus is strong with most indigenous breeds until February (Wheeler et al 1977). This experiment was designed to study the long term management requirements and performance of a late lambed (1 May to 5 June) flock and the efficacy of androstenedione (Fecundin) as a means of improving ovulation rate.

Type
Developments in Sheep Production
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972) , Volume 1988 , March 1988 , pp. 96
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Production 1988

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References

Newton, J.E.; Betts, J.E.; Orr, R.J.; Wilde, R.M. and Dhanoa, M.S. The effect of time of lambing on sheep production. Grassland Research Institute. Technical Report No. 30, December 1982.Google Scholar
Land, R.B.; Dickinson, A.G. and Read, J.L. (1969) The influence of seasonal variation on fertility and early body growth in sheep. Animal Production II 255.Google Scholar
Wheeler, A.G. and Land, R.B. (1977) Season variation in oestrus and ovarian activity of Finnish Landrace, Tasmanian Merino and Scottish Blackface Ewes. Animal Production 24, 363–376.Google Scholar