The Nutrition of Ewes

Sheep are ruminant animals consequently a large proportion of their nutritional requirements can be met with roughage feeds. With this in mind , then the basis of a good ration for ewes is adequate pasture or other top quality forages. The need for supplemental feeding of protein, energy, minerals and/or vitamins to meet the nutritive requirements will depend upon the amount and quality of forage consumed and on the different stages of a ewes reproductive cycle. A mature breeding ewe can be regarded as having about 6 months of critical nutrition needs while a maintenance ration is adequate during the remainder of the year. Higher nutritional planes fed during the flushing period, prior to lambing and during lactation has proven beneficial in improving lamb production

Research Reports Concerning Different Aspects of Pre-flushing and Flushing Treatments

Several factors are known to determine the prolificacy of the ewe. One of the factors is nutritrion and particularly nutrition prior to mating. The practice of improving nutrition of the ewe prior to mating to increase lambing percentage is widely advocated and adapted in sheep producing countries. It has been shown that flushing of ewes is generally quite beneficial in increasing the number of lambs born. It is reported however, that when ewes are in high condition or have a low gentic potentially for twinning, little or no response will result from flushing. Following are summaries of experimental trials showing the results of different preflushing and/or flushing treatments

Barley Rations for Finishing Beef Cattle

A series of experiments was conducted to provide answers to these questions. Various studies made in the experiments were as follows: 1. Value of additions of hay and molasses 2. Value of various levels of hay 3. Need for a protein supplement 4 . Value of antibiotics 5. Value in comparison to corn-alfalfa rations, with and without dynafac

Intensity of Grazing Effect on Livestock and Forage Production

An intensity of grazing experiment was initiated in 1942 at the Cottonwood Range Field Station to study the effects of heavy, moderate, and light grazing on the vegetation and on cow and calf production. Results of the first 9 years of this study were reported in South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 412 in 1951. These studies have been continued and intensified. The present publication is a progress report on the effects of the intensity of grazing on cow and calf production since 1953 and on the cumulative effects of different grazing intensities on the native vegetation