J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1982. 55:620-626.
© 1982 American Society of Animal Science
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Effects of Contrasting Photoperiods and Temperatures on Performance Traits of Confinement-Reared Ewe Lambs1

B. D. Schanbacher, G. L. Hahn and J. A. Nienaber

US Department of Agriculture2,3,, Clay Center, NE 68933

Abstract

The effects of contrasting photoperiods (16L:8D vs 8L:16D) and ambient temperatures (5 C vs 18 C vs 31 C) on performance traits of ewe lambs have been evaluated. Seventy-two lambs were paired and allotted to one of six treatment groups in a 2 x 3 factorial experiment. The lambs were fed a pelleted diet ad libitum, throughout the 14-wk study (i.e., as lambs progressed from 12 to 26 wk of age). Analysis of performance and carcass data showed that both photoperiod and temperature affected growth rate (P<.01), feed intake (P<.01), final weight (P<.01) and carcass weight (P<.01). Although feed efficiency tended to be greater for lambs exposed to the 16L:8D photoperiod, this characteristic was not affected significantly. An interaction between photoperiod and temperature was not observed for growth rate, final weight or carcass weight. Final weight and carcass weight for lambs in the six treatment groups were: 52.5 and 27.7 kg for 16L:8D, 5 C; 49.2 and 25.8 kg for 8L:16D, 5c; 48.1 and 25.3 kg for 16L:8D, 18 C; 45.2 and 23.5 kg for 8L:16D, 18 C; 42.0 and 21.1 kg for 16L:8D, 31 C and 36.0 and 17.4 kg for 8L:16D, 31 C. Carcass merit, including quality and yield, was not affected (P>.05) by treatment. Whereas serum prolactin concentrations were elevated in lambs exposed to the 16L:8D photoperiod, an interaction (P<.01) between photoperiod and temperature was found. Wool growth was similar for lambs exposed to 16L:8D and 8L:16D photoperiods, but was reduced (P<.05) by exposure to increasing environmental temperatures. These results suggest that environmental temperature and photoperiod independently contribute to the growth and performance of confinement-reared ewe lambs and that each of these variables can be adjusted to optimize the efficiency of lamb production.

Footnotes

1 The authors wish to acknowledge Mr. Bruce Larsen, Mr. Allen Maddy and Mr. Wei Wu for technical assistance during the study: Mr. Michael MacNeil and Ms. Becky Bauer for helping with the statistical analyses, and cooperation of the Nebraska Agr. Exp. Sta., Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln.

2 Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, ARS.

3 Mention of trade names or companies does not constitute an implied warranty or endorsement by the authors or USDA.






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Copyright © 1982 by the American Society of Animal Science.