31 research outputs found
Effects of extended grazing during mid, late or throughout pregnancy, and winter shearing of housed ewes, on ewe and lamb performance
peer-reviewedA flock of March-lambing ewes was used to evaluate the effects of (i) extended (deferred, winter) grazing of pasture during mid, late or throughout pregnancy, and (ii) winter shearing of ewes housed during mid and late pregnancy, on lamb birth weight and subsequent growth to weaning. Ewes (n = 265) were allocated at random to five treatments for the period from 7 December (~ day 47 of pregnancy) to lambing. The treatments were: housed shorn (HS), housed unshorn (HU), grazing throughout
(EG), grazing to 20 January followed by housing (EGH), housed to 20 January followed by grazing (HEG). From 1 March to lambing the HEG and EG ewes were dispersed on the paddocks intended for grazing post lambing. All ewes were offered a concentrate supplement during the final 6 weeks of pregnancy. Housed ewes were offered grass silage while ewes on extended grazing were allocated 1.3 kg herbage dry matter per head per day from swards that had been closed for approximately 10 weeks. Ewes plus lambs (except triplet-rearing ewes which were grazed separately) from all treatments were grazed together post lambing, grouped according to lambing date. For treatments HS, HU, EGH, HEG and EG gestation lengths were 147.0, 145.6, 146.3, 146.6 and 146.9 (s.e. 0.34, P < 0.001) days, lamb birth weights were 4.9, 4.3, 4.4, 4.6 and 5.0 (s.e. 0.10, P < 0.001) kg, and lamb weaning weights were 34.6, 32.1, 33.3, 33.8 and 34.9 (s.e. 0.66, P < 0.001) kg, respectively. Extended grazing in mid and late pregnancy resulted in 35% and 65%, respectively, of the increase in lamb birth weight associated with extended grazing throughout. Treatment effects on lamb birth weight were associated with those on weaning weight (P < 0.01, R2 = 0.93). It is concluded that extended grazing or shearing of housed ewes increased lamb birth weight and subsequent weaning weight. The increased lamb birth weight from deferred grazing in mid pregnancy was probably due to improved protein utilisation from the grazed herbage. Meanwhile, the increase
An evaluation of two grassland-based systems of mid-season prime lamb production using prolific ewes of two genotypes
peer-reviewedA 4-year study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of two contrasting management
systems [year-round grazing (YRG) and normal seasonal grazing followed by indoor
feeding during winter (GWF)] on performance of mid-season lambing ewes. On the
GWF system, the annual stocking rate was 14.4 ewes/ha, grass silage was conserved
for winter feeding indoors, and the ewes were lambed indoors and were then turned
out to pasture. The YRG system was stocked at 10.5 ewes/ha, was grazed during the
winter, had outdoor lambing and the animals had access to all the farmlet for summer
grazing. The ewes were Belclare and Cheviot × Belclare which were balanced
across systems. Mean lambing dates and fertiliser N application rates were 20 and 30
March, and 85 and 92 kg/ha, for the GWF and YRG systems, respectively. Concentrate
supplementation during late pregnancy was similar on both systems. For the GWF and
YRG systems, litter size, lamb mortality, number of lambs reared, birth weight (kg),
weaning weight (kg) and lamb carcass output (kg/ha) were 2.17 and 2.24 (s.e. 0.038),
10.1 and 13.8% (P = 0.05), 1.77 and 1.78 (s.e. 0.042), 4.0 and 4.7 (s.e. 0.05, P < 0.001),
27.9 and 30.8 (s.e. 0.25, P < 0.001) and 469 and 348, respectively. Belclare ewes had a
higher litter size (2.34 v 2.07; s.e. 0.038, P < 0.001) and number of lambs reared per
ewe joined (1.86 v 1.69; s.e. 0.048, P < 0.01) than the Cheviot × Belclare ewes. There
were no significant interactions between system and ewe breed type. It is concluded that
the YRG system of prime lamb production was sustainable using prolific ewes but at
a reduced stocking rate (−26%) and with greater lamb mortality relative to the GWF
system. Ewe genotypes with a mean litter size of up to 2.34 lambs are suitable for both
systems. Lamb carcass output of 501 kg/ha was achieved from a primarily grass-based
system of mid-season prime lamb production using prolific ewes (Belclare)
Comparison of a Calan gate and a conventional feed barrier system for dairy cows: feed intake and cow behaviour
peer-reviewedThere is little published information on comparisons of individual and group feeding
systems for dairy cows. Twenty-four dairy cows were used in a three-period incompletely
balanced, change-over design study, to examine food intake and feeding behaviour of
dairy cows offered their food via group-access electronic Calan gates, or via a conventional
feed-barrier system. The food offered was in the form of a complete diet, and
comprised grass silage and concentrates (60:40 dry matter (DM) basis). With the conventional
feed-barrier system a maximum of eight animals were able to feed at any one
time, while the Calan-gate system allowed a maximum of three animals to feed at any
one time. Method of offering the ration had no effect on daily DM intake. During the
8-h period after animals were given access to fresh food, the mean number of animals
feeding at any one time was 5.4 and 3.0 for the conventional and Calan-gate systems,
respectively, while total intake over this period was 11.0 and 9.2 kg DM per cow, respectively.
When access to feed was restricted by the use of Calan gates, animals responded
by increasing their intake rate. It is concluded that total DM intake was unaffected by
the use of a group Calan-gate feeding system as animals modified their feeding behaviour
to maintain food intake
Improving triplet lamb survival: management practices used by commercial farmers
Introduction: Prolificacy has become an important breeding goal in sheep farming to increase farm profitability. With the adoption of improved genetics and management practices leading to increased lambing percentages, the proportion of triplet-born lambs has also increased on farms. However, mortality rates of triplet lambs are higher than for single- and twin-born lambs, and additional management inputs may be needed to support survival. The aim of this study was to identify factors that affect management practices that are considered important for triplet lamb survival by commercial farmers from the United Kingdom (UK), the Ireland (IRE), and New Zealand (NZ). Methods: An online survey was developed and disseminated to farmers in each country, focusing on farmer demographics, flock characteristics, management practices and production outcomes. A total of 448 farmers completed the survey, from the UK (n = 168), IRE (n = 218), and NZ (n = 62). Results: Respondents had larger flocks, higher scanning and lambing percentages than the country average for the UK and IRE. The mean percentage of triplet litters born within flocks was 9%, and lambs lost between scanning and lambing were 14% for UK, 15% for IRE, and 25% for NZ respondents (P = 0.063). Overall, 60% of all respondents reported to lamb indoors and 40% lambed outdoors, however NZ farmers almost exclusively lambed outdoors, whereas UK and IRE farmers lambed in both systems (P < 0.001). NZ farmers were more likely to rear all triplet lambs with the ewe, whereas UK and IRE farmers were more likely to remove a lamb to rear by another ewe or artificially (P < 0.001). Factors that influenced triplet lamb management practices of respondents in this study were respondent country of origin, flock size, age, and gender. In general, younger respondents (P < 0.001), and female respondents (P < 0.05), were more likely to engage in management activities that were considered to promote better triplet lamb survival, compared to older and male respondents respectively. These practices were associated with better lamb survival reported by respondents but were less likely to be carried out when flock size increased (P < 0.001). Discussion: The results of this survey highlight future priorities or communication strategies needed to improve triplet lamb survival
Review: Exploring the use of Precision Livestock Farming for small ruminant welfare management
Small ruminant (sheep and goat) production of meat and milk is undertaken in diverse topographical and climatic environments and the systems range from extensive to intensive. This could lead to different types of welfare compromise, which need to be managed. Implementing Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) and other new or innovative technologies could help to manage or monitor animal welfare. This paper explores such opportunities, seeking to identify promising aspects of PLF that may allow improved management of welfare for small ruminants using literature search (2 reviews), workshops in 9 countries (France, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Norway, Romania, Spain, and the United Kingdom) with 254 stakeholders, and panels with 52 experts. An investigation of the main welfare challenges that may affect sheep and goats across the different management systems in Europe was undertaken, followed by a prioritisation of animal welfare issues obtained in the 9 countries. This suggested that disease and health issues, feed access and undernutrition/malnutrition, maternal behaviour/offspring losses, environmental stressors and issues with agonistic behavioural interactions were important welfare concerns. These welfare issues and their indicators (37 for sheep, 25 for goats) were categorised into four broad welfare indicator categories: weight loss or change in body state (BWC), behavioural change (BC), milk yield and quality (MY), and environmental indicators (Evt). In parallel, 24 potential PLF and innovative technologies (8 for BWC; 10 for BC; 4 for MY; 6 for Evt) that could be relevant to monitor these broad welfare indicator categories and provide novel approaches to manage and monitor welfare have been identified. Some technologies had the capacity to monitor more than one broad indicator. Out of the 24 technologies, only 12 were animal-based sensors, or that could monitor the animal individually. One alternative could be to incorporate a risk management approach to welfare, using aspects of environmental stress. This could provide an early warning system for the potential risks of animal welfare compromise and alert farmers to the need to implement mitigation actions
How much grassland biomass is available in Ireland in excess of livestock requirements?
peer-reviewedGrassland is a dominant biomass resource in Ireland and underpins most animal production
systems. However, other commercial uses for grassland biomass exist, including, for example, the production of biogas through anaerobic digestion for the generation
of heat, electricity and transport fuel. The objective of this study was to estimate
the annual grassland resource available in Ireland in excess of livestock requirements
under six contrasting scenarios. Under current grassland management and production
practices there is an estimated average annual grassland resource of ca. 1.7 million
tonnes of dry matter (DM) available in excess of livestock requirements. Only a small proportion of this resource (0.39 million tonnes of DM per annum) would be available if the targets set out in ‘Food Harvest 2020’ were achieved. However, increasing nitrogen (N) fertiliser input (to the limit permitted by the E.U. Nitrates Directive) combined with increasing the grazed grass utilisation rate of cattle (from 0.60 to 0.80 kg DM ingested by livestock per kg DM grown) has the potential to significantly increase this average resource to 12.2 million t DM/annum, even when allowing for achievement of ‘Food Harvest 2020’ targets. Under these scenarios, alternative uses for grassland
biomass such as anaerobic digestion and green biorefining would not compete with
traditional dairy, beef and lamb production systems, but could provide an alternative
enterprise and income to farmers.Funding for this research was provided under
the Irish National Development Plan, through the Research Stimulus Fund (#RSF 07 557), administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marin
Effects of extended grazing during mid, late or throughout pregnancy, and winter shearing of housed ewes, on ewe and lamb performance
A flock of March-lambing ewes was used to evaluate the effects of (i) extended (deferred, winter) grazing of pasture during mid, late or throughout pregnancy, and (ii) winter shearing of ewes housed during mid and late pregnancy, on lamb birth weight and subsequent growth to weaning. Ewes (n = 265) were allocated at random to five treatments for the period from 7 December (~ day 47 of pregnancy) to lambing. The treatments were: housed shorn (HS), housed unshorn (HU), grazing throughout
(EG), grazing to 20 January followed by housing (EGH), housed to 20 January followed by grazing (HEG). From 1 March to lambing the HEG and EG ewes were dispersed on the paddocks intended for grazing post lambing. All ewes were offered a concentrate supplement during the final 6 weeks of pregnancy. Housed ewes were offered grass silage while ewes on extended grazing were allocated 1.3 kg herbage dry matter per head per day from swards that had been closed for approximately 10 weeks. Ewes plus lambs (except triplet-rearing ewes which were grazed separately) from all treatments were grazed together post lambing, grouped according to lambing date. For treatments HS, HU, EGH, HEG and EG gestation lengths were 147.0, 145.6, 146.3, 146.6 and 146.9 (s.e. 0.34, P < 0.001) days, lamb birth weights were 4.9, 4.3, 4.4, 4.6 and 5.0 (s.e. 0.10, P < 0.001) kg, and lamb weaning weights were 34.6, 32.1, 33.3, 33.8 and 34.9 (s.e. 0.66, P < 0.001) kg, respectively. Extended grazing in mid and late pregnancy resulted in 35% and 65%, respectively, of the increase in lamb birth weight associated with extended grazing throughout. Treatment effects on lamb birth weight were associated with those on weaning weight (P < 0.01, R2 = 0.93). It is concluded that extended grazing or shearing of housed ewes increased lamb birth weight and subsequent weaning weight. The increased lamb birth weight from deferred grazing in mid pregnancy was probably due to improved protein utilisation from the grazed herbage. Meanwhile, the increase
Comparison of a Calan gate and a conventional feed barrier system for dairy cows: feed intake and cow behaviour
There is little published information on comparisons of individual and group feeding
systems for dairy cows. Twenty-four dairy cows were used in a three-period incompletely
balanced, change-over design study, to examine food intake and feeding behaviour of
dairy cows offered their food via group-access electronic Calan gates, or via a conventional
feed-barrier system. The food offered was in the form of a complete diet, and
comprised grass silage and concentrates (60:40 dry matter (DM) basis). With the conventional
feed-barrier system a maximum of eight animals were able to feed at any one
time, while the Calan-gate system allowed a maximum of three animals to feed at any
one time. Method of offering the ration had no effect on daily DM intake. During the
8-h period after animals were given access to fresh food, the mean number of animals
feeding at any one time was 5.4 and 3.0 for the conventional and Calan-gate systems,
respectively, while total intake over this period was 11.0 and 9.2 kg DM per cow, respectively.
When access to feed was restricted by the use of Calan gates, animals responded
by increasing their intake rate. It is concluded that total DM intake was unaffected by
the use of a group Calan-gate feeding system as animals modified their feeding behaviour
to maintain food intake