Transcript Feeding productive ewes

Feeding for High Production
and Profit
Dan Morrical
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa
Nutrient Requirements
Reading
Stage of
Production
Maintenance
Body
Daily
weight gain or
lb
loss
125
0.02
150
0.02
175
0.02
200
0.02
225
0.02
Dry Matter
Intake
lb
% BW
2.3
1.8%
2.6
1.7%
2.9
1.7%
3.2
1.6%
3.5
1.6%
those charts
Energy
TDN
ME
lb
Mcal
1.26
2.07
1.45
2.38
1.62
2.66
1.79
2.94
1.96
3.21
Crude
CalPhosProtein cium phorous
lb
grams grams
0.22
2.3
2.3
0.25
2.6
2.4
0.28
2.9
2.7
0.31
3.2
3.0
0.33
3.5
3.2
Vit.
A IU
2800
3210
3610
3990
4360
Vit.
E IU
18
19
20
21
22
Nutrient Requirements

Using those charts

ex. 175 ewe 1.62 TDN and .28 CP
 Alfalfa
50% TDN
1.62/.5 = 3.2 lbs.

3.2 X 16%CP = .51 lbs. of CP

MCS 19
Factors Affecting Nutrient
Requirements of Ewes
 Age
ewe
lambs Vs yearlings Vs mature
 Weight
135
 Stage
to 250 pound ewes
Production
maintenance
 Level
Vs lactation
of Production
rearing
singles Vs twins Vs triplets
Concerns During Early Mid Gestation
 21
days of severe underfeeding
 80
days of moderate underfeeding
 Both
result in smaller placenta
leading to reduced birthweights
Mid Gestation Nutrition Goals
Maintain condition - mature ewes
 Yearlings and two year olds - increase condition
Higher incidence of fetal loss in young ewes.
 Specific nutrients
Protein maybe
Other species - protein deficiency severely impacts
placental size more than energy
 Crop aftermath grazing - ?? protein

Recommendations for LG Feeding

Alfalfa hay based diets
 Corn
or other economical energy sources
 Guideline - 1 LB. concentrate per fetus

Limit roughage intake
 Mature
ewes with 3 fetus or more
 All ewe lambs
Low quality roughage as base ration require
both protein and energy supplementation
 Low energy diets with poor roughage's may
respond to escape protein - MLC, 1983

Real Time Ultrasound Technology
 Opportunity
to fine tune the greatest
unknown of sheep production
which is ????
Australia Experiment
No. of Fetuses
0
1
2
3
4
Total Scans
Exp. 1
268
1276
1115
44
4
100
99.1
79.9
*20 of 21 classed as 2
** All classed as 3
Exp. 2
100
98.1
96.9
52.3*
0**
Feeding by Fetal Number
Objective

Control feed resource allocation

Modify birthweights
smaller singles
 larger multiples

Increase
lamb vigor, survival and growth
Late Gestation
Secretory tissue development occurs.
Larger placenta  more placenta lactogen.
Ewes with multiples have larger
placenta weight.
Consequences of Underfeeding

Weak, small lambs with high mortality

Reduced colostrum quality and quantity

Retarded weight gain both pre & post weaning

Reduced peak milk yield and less total production

Decreased re-breeding success

Reduced wool production via fewer secondary follicles
Consequences of Overfeeding

Thin wallets

Fat ewes

Upper limit on birthweight
Lactation Nutrition
 Highest
nutrient requirement
 May be 50% of winter feed bill
 Tremendous intake potential
self
feed big packages
Factors Which Affect Milk Production

Lactation Diet Energy Status

Lactation Diet Protein Status
Late Gestation Nutrition - precaution
Ewe Fatness or Condition
Prolificacy



Must Determine Yield Levels
One pound of lamb gain requires
4-5 pounds of ewe’s milk
Separate Ewes in to Production Groups
Example: singles Vs twins Vs triplets
Milk Production Relative to Body Fatness
7.5
4. 37 lb TDN
7
Max. Milk
Yield
lbs/day
6.5
6
2. 92 lb TDN
5.5
5
4.5
4
11
22
33
Fat in Body (lbs.)
44
Energy and Protein Vs. Yield
M
i
l
k
Y
i
e
l
d
8
1.86 TDN
7
2.35 TDN
1.28 TDN
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
.37
.52
.66
.83
.83
Protein Intake
.93
.93
1.10
Milk Yield Results from Additional
Protein
Protein Source
Urea
Nutmeal
Soybean Meal
Meat & Bone Meal
Linseed Meal
Fish Meal
Blood Meal
Protein Added
.18 lbs.
.44 lbs.
.29
.88
.88
.88
1.32
1.32
1.32
0
0
0
0
0
.55
.74
145 lb. ewes rearing twins fed base diet 2.67 TDN 11.6% CP
Gonzalez et al. 1982
Value of Protein Sources for UIP
% CP
Grass Pasture
Alfalfa Hay
Dehydrated Alfalfa
SBM 44, Solvent
SBM 44, Expeller
CGM
Blood Meal
Fish Meal
6-20
16-24
16-18
44
43
60
85
60
% Escape
10
15
20
25
50
40
80
40-80
Escape
Protein
Conc. %
2
2.7
3.4
11
21.5
24
68
24-48
Efficiency of Fat Mobilization for Milk

Protein Deficient diet 50%
 Adequate
protein 80%
Protein: Energy Relationship
 Inverse Relationship
 Less Energy Intake  More
Protein (UIP) to balance fat
mobilization.
 Minimum protein per level of
energy Intake.
 Minimal level increases with
increased yield.
 Protein above minimum will 
milk production if genetic
potential is not met.
Protein: Energy Relationship
 Minimal level increases with
increased yield.
 Protein above minimum will 
milk production if genetic
potential is not met.
Do My Ewes Need Escape
Protein?
Under weight loss - response will be
seen within 3 days.
No weight loss - response more
persistent yield.
Rules for Maximum Milk Yield

Must feed adequate energy to prevent
weight loss.

Otherwise ewes cannot express genetic
potential.
Requirements per Pound of Milk
 Above
Maintenance
Energy = .46 lbs TDN
Protein = .11 lbs CP
Mastitis Control
 Start
drying up before weaning
feed
low protein and energy feed
5-10 days pre-weaning
feed low protein and energy feed
3-5 days post-weaning
wean cold turkey
Feeding Ewes
Requires balance between
Feed Costs
and
Meeting Requirements
Feeding Ewes
Requires balance between
Feed Costs
and
Meeting Requirements
Feed Costs
 Know requirements
 Use condition scoring
 Test hays
 Buy feeds on nutrient cost basis
 Control waste
 Extend grazing season by
improved management
Example Corn Vs Hay
Corn serves as the Standard energy source
$2.24 / bu / 56 = $.04 per pound
$.04 / 77% TDN = $.052 per pound TDN
Hay is worth:
2000 pound X 50% TDN = 1000 lb TDN
1000 X $.052 = $52 / ton
assumes no waste
Summary
 All phases of production are important
 One can not starve or feed a profit
 Correctly feeding the flock requires more
than one pen
 Lactation takes both protein
and energy
 Ewes on accelerated systems
cannot lose much condition