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A model of pasture utilisation and ewe performance at mating in an upland flock

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 November 2017

A.R. Sibbald
Affiliation:
Hill Farming Research Organisation, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 OPY
R.G. Gunn
Affiliation:
Hill Farming Research Organisation, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 OPY
T.J. Maxwell
Affiliation:
Hill Farming Research Organisation, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 OPY
R.D.M. Agnew
Affiliation:
Hill Farming Research Organisation, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 OPY
D.N. McFarlane
Affiliation:
Hill Farming Research Organisation, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 OPY
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Extract

The amount of grass 8 weeks prior to mating, the condition of the ewe at that time, the stocking rate and the rate of herbage growth in the late summer and autumn will determine the condition score and ewe liveweight achieved at mating and during the post-mating period. Evidence suggests that for Greyface ewes, lambing rate increases with an increase in condition score at mating up to 3 provided that the achieved condition score can be held for 4-6 weeks post-mating.

Type
Sheep Production
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Production 1984

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References

Bircham, J.S. 1981. “Herbage growth and utilisation under continuous management”. PhD. Thesis, University of Edinburgh.Google Scholar
Gunn, R.G. 1984. Unpublished data.Google Scholar
Gunn, R.G., Smith, W.F., Senior, A.J., Barthram, E. and Sim, D.A. 1983. “Premating pasture intake and reproductive responses in North Country Cheviot ewes in different body conditions”. Anim. Prod. 36, 509.Google Scholar
Sibbald, A.R., Maxwell, T.J. and Eadie, J. 1979. “A conceptual approach to the modelling of herbage intake in sheep”. Agric. Systems 4, 119134.Google Scholar