J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1973. 36:1041-1043.
© 1973 American Society of Animal Science
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Post-Partum Reproductive Performance of Early Weaned Spring Lambing Ewes1

M. B. Gould2 and J. V. Whiteman

Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74074

Abstract

Post-Partum estrual activity and subsequent reproductive performance of 80 mature early weaned spring-lambing ewes (lambs weaned at 30 days of age) and 77 mature control (lambs weaned at 70 days of age) spring-lambing ewes were evaluated in two trials during the period from 1969 to 1971. Reproductive performance was evaluated relative to percent ewes mating post-partum, percent ewes conceiving, and intervals from lambing to first post-partum estrus and conception. In both years a larger percentage (P<.05) of the early weaned ewes (91.6 vs. 66.7%; 86.3 vs. 65.8%) mated post-partum with shorter intervals from lambing to first estrus (56 vs. 65 days; 59 vs. 66 days). Also, a larger (P< .10) percentage of early weaned ewes conceived each year (58.3 vs: 38.8%; 54.5 vs. 29.2%) than control ewes, and they did so with shorter intervals (P<.05) from lambing to conception (58 vs. 65 days; 62 vs. 74 days). These results indicate that even though the interval from spring lambing to conception was shorter when lambs were weaned at 30 days of age as compared to 70 days of age, the resulting interval of 58 and 62 days for the early weaned ewes was not sufficiently reduced to assure a successful twice-yearly lambing program. However, in both years, early weaning seemed to be associated with an increase (P<.10) in the percentage (58.3 vs. 38.8; 54.5 vs. 29.2) of ewes conceiving post-partum.

Footnotes

1 Journal article 2545 of the Agricultural Experiment Station. Oklahoma State University. Stillwater. This research was conducted in cooperation with the U.S.D.A., Agricultural Research Service, Southern Region.

2 Present address: Area Extension Center, 378 Main Jackson, Ohio.






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Copyright © 1973 by the American Society of Animal Science.