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Frequency of Feeding, Roughage-Concentrate Ratio for Pregnant Ewes and Summer Drylot Feeding of Non-Lactating Ewes

University of Minnesota, St. Paul

Abstract

Three separate experiments involving a total of 358 ewes were conducted to determine the effect on production costs and ewe productivity of: (1) frequency of feeding, (2) high grain low-roughage rations for pregnant ewes and (3) body weight losses of ewes during the summer non-lactating period.

Frequency of feeding (three times per week) had no significant effect on ewe weight gains, fleece weights, lambing percent, lamb birth weights and 30-day lamb weights.

Gestating ewes fed rations consisting of either equal parts of corn and hay or three parts corn and one part hay in amounts 50% as great (in lb.) as ewes fed a conventional hay ration gained as much weight and were comparable in wool and lamb production with ewes fed conventional hay rations. A three-part corn—one-part hay ration when fed at calculated TDN levels equal to a conventional hay ration resulted in significantly greater weight gains but did not affect wool or lamb production. In one trial ewes were fed a ground ear corn-soybean meal ration with no supplemental hay. Weight gains, lamb production and fleece weights were not significantly affected by treatments. Ewes maintained on the low hay rations exhibited a craving for roughage. It was concluded, however, that when TDN can be purchased or produced cheaper with grains than forages that rather high proportions of grain can be included in pregnant ewe rations.

Feeding non-lactating ewes during the summer alfalfa-brome hay at levels which permit them to lose 10 or 5% of their body weight, to maintain their body weight, or to increase body weight 10% had no significant effect on conception, fleece production or lambing percent. About the same amount of TDN was required to increase the weight of non-lactating ewes 10% (0.06–0.08 lb. daily) as is required for gestating ewes. About 1.0 and 1.1 lb. TDN per 100 lb. body weight was required to maintain body weight. Ewes fed to lose about 10% of their body weight consumed about 60% as much TDN as ewes that maintained their body weight. The low level of energy supplied these ewes resulted in an appreciable saving in feed without adversely affecting their production of wool and lambs.

¹ Paper No. 5043 Scientific Journal Series of the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station.