Effect of supplementary concentrates on performance of early-weaned lambs at pasture

1365-2494

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition

Two experiments in which early-weaned lambs (4–7 and 5–9 weeks of age) continuously grazed a perennial ryegrass-white clover sward are described. In both experiments groups of lambs were offered a proprietary concentrate ad libitum, 2/3 or 1/3 of ad libitum allowance, or no concentrate. Mean daily gains over 56 days in Experiment 1 increased from 88 g without concentrate to 275 g with ad libitum concentrate allowance; the range in daily gains over 71 days in Experiment 2 was 201 g to 253 g respectively. In both experiments mean faecal OM output from herbage decreased as concentrate OM intake increased.

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