The effect of different levels of nutrition during late pregnancy on the subsequent milk production of Blackface ewes and on the growth of their lambs

1967 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 365-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. N. Peart
Keyword(s):  
Blood Plasma ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Plasma Ffa ◽  
Pelleted Food ◽  
Lamb Growth ◽  
Different Levels

1. Using blood plasma FFA and ketone values to assess the nutritional state of individual ewes, high (H), medium (M) and low (L) planes of nutrition were imposed on 3 groups of Blackface ewes during pregnancy. By this method, ewes bearing single or twin foetuses were equally well or severely undernourished within treatment groups. The effects of these planes of nutrition during pregnancy have been assessed in terms of milk production, lamb growth, and live-weight changes by the ewes duriug their subsequent lactation. Immediately after parturition all ewes were individually fed a pelleted food ad lib. and their voluntary food intakes recorded. From 5 weeks of age individual voluntary intakes of solid food by the lambs were also recorded. Because of insufficient pen accommodation group-M ewes and lambs were discarded after 5 weeks of lactation.

Effects of nutrition in late pregnancy on subsequent milk production in Ewes

1970 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. T. Treacher
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Lower Content ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Total Birth ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Voluntary Intake

SUMMARY1. Scottish Half-bred ewes carrying twin foetuses were fed individually to make live-weight gains in the last six weeks of pregnancy of (1) 20%, (2) 10% and (3) 0% of their live weight in week 14 of pregnancy. In lactation the ewes were fed ad libitum. The lambs were removed 12 to 16 hr after parturition and the ewes were machine-milked twice daily for the first six weeks of lactation.2. Total birth weights per ewe of twin lambs from the treatments were (1) 10·10 kg, (2) 9·44 kg and (3) 8·18 kg and differed significantly.3. The level and pattern of voluntary intake in lactation did not differ significantly between the treatments. Total dry-matter intakes in the six weeks of lactation were (1) 121·9 kg (2) 105·9 kg and (3) 109·5 kg.4. The pregnancy treatments affected the level of milk production and the shape of lactation curves. The total yields in the first six weeks of lactation were (1) 58·8 kg, (2) 43·5 kg and (3) 26·9 kg. Higher contents of fat and protein and the lower content of lactose in the milk from treatment-3 ewes on days 1 and 3 of lactation indicated a slower onset of lactation in these ewes. Between days 7 and 35 of lactation the contents of fat and SNF were lowest on treatment 3 but the differences were not significant.5. The live-weight changes in lactation, which were in inverse order to the gains in late pregnancy, were (1) 3·4 kg, (2) 5·5 kg and (3) 9·5 kg.

Differences in feed intake and the performance of Finn × Dorset ewes during late pregnancy

1975 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 391-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Shevah ◽  
W. J. M. Black ◽  
R. B. Land
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Ketone Bodies ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Loss Of Weight ◽  
Plasma Ffa ◽  
The Mean

SUMMARYIn two experiments carried out in the autumn of 1971 and 1972 (treatment prefixes 1 and 2 respectively), 84 Finn x Dorset ewes found by X-ray to carry from 1 to 4 foetuses were individually fed during the last 6 weeks of gestation either: 1A, ad libitum; 1H and 2H, 33 kcal M/kg ewe live weight+365 kcal per ME/kg foetus (anticipated birth weight); 1M, 80%; and 2L, 50% of the total energy fed to treatments 1H and 2H. The amounts given remained constant during the experimental period. The method of feeding according to foetal number within treatments, attempted to standardize the nutritional state within treatments.All ewes (except those on 2L which remained constant) gained 6 to 8 kg live weight during the last 6 weeks of gestation and lost 8 to 10 kg at parturition. The birth weight of lambs was not affected by the range of energy (2·3 to 4·4 Meal ME/ewe per day) consumed during the last 6 weeks of gestation.Plasma concentrations of free fatty acids (FFA), glucose and ketone bodies were determined weekly. The mean FFA levels were significantly higher in the low energy treatment groups than the high ones.The present data indicated that if there is little change in body weight i n the early stages of pregnancy a 65 kg ewe bearing twin lambs, will require about 4 Meal ME/day during the last 50 days of gestation t o prevent a rise in plasma FFA concentration or loss of weight over the gestation period.

Milk production in dairy goats supplemented with different levels of ruminally protected methionine

2016 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-150
Author(s):  
Erick Alonso-Mélendez ◽  
Germán D. Mendoza ◽  
Francisco A. Castrejón-Pineda ◽  
Andrés E. Ducoing-Watty
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Dairy Goat ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Dairy Goats ◽  
Oral Doses ◽  
Different Levels

The objective of the study reported in this Research Communication was to evaluate graded levels of ruminally protected methionine (RPM) in dairy goat rations on milk production and live weight changes during 155 d of lactation. Twenty-five primiparous dairy goats (crosses of Toggenburg, French Alpine and Saanen; 45·4 ± 1·0 kg BW) were fed a basal diet (10·10% CP, 6·13 DP and 2·34 Mcal/kg ME) of corn silage, oat hay, alfalfa hay and concentrate (80% forage, 20% concentrate). After kidding, the treatments, which consisted of four oral doses of ruminally protected methionine (RPM) at 0, 1, 2 and 3 g/d, were randomly assigned to the goats. The experiment was conducted for 110 d with measurements of milk production and composition, body weight and dry matter intake. No treatment effects were detected in milk production and composition. However, goats with RPM showed a positive live weight changes during lactation which were improved as dose was increased (linear P < 0·01) whereas goats without RPM showed weight loss during the experiment.

Some effects of live weight and body condition on the milk production of Blackface ewes

1968 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. N. Peart
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Daily Milk Production ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
Group B

SUMMARYApproximately 15 weeks before parturition, forty-eight pregnant Blackface ewes were divided into three similar groups. During the 15–6 weeks prepartum period the ewes were fed to increase the live weights and body condition scores of ewes in each of groups A and B and to decrease those of ewes in group C. At 6 weeks prepartum mean differences of approximately 11 kg live weight and two grades of body condition had been created. Food was rationed to the ewes in all groups per kg live weight based on their weights 6 weeks prepartum, to provide the theoretical requirements of Blackface ewes bearing twin lambs. All groups of ewes made similar live-weight gains in late pregnancy and the mean birth weights of the lambs were also similar. Blood plasma F.F.A. values confirmed that the ewes were similarly nourished in late pregnancy regardless of live weight or body condition. During lactation the ewes were fed 9·2 g D.O.M./kg based on their immediate post-partum live weights, plus an allowance for a predicted level of milk production. Ewes in groups A and C were fed 0·5 and ewes in group B, 0·25 g D.O.M. per g of predicted milk production. The ration was increased after the 1st and 2nd weeks of lactation, then maintained at a constant level for the remainder of lactation. Milk production of the ewes was measured using a lamb suckling technique during a 10-week lactation. The mean daily milk production of ewes in groups A and C were similar and the yield of each of these groups was substantially greater than that of group B ewes. The mean total milk production of ewes suckling twin lambs in groups A, B and C was 127, 108 and 142 kg respectively, and of ewes suckling single lambs 104, 81 and 91 kg respectively. The mean live-weight changes of ewes in groups A and C were similar during lactation. Except for group A ewes suckling single lambs, which maintained their mean live weight, all ewes lost weight in early lactation and consistent gains were not made until late lactation. Greatest live-weight loss occurred in group B ewes and extended further into lactation. Changes in body condition followed a similar course to live weight changes. The mean daily live-weight gain of twin lambs in groups A, B and C was 279, 275 and 284 g respectively, and of single lambs, 318, 300 and 319 g respectively. The evidence indicates that ewes in lean body condition have a higher efficiency of food conversion to milk and that in situations of continuous undernourishment a high state of body condition is undesirable during lactation.

scholarly journals Mammary Gland Structures Are Not Affected by an Increased Growth Rate of Yearling Ewes Post-Weaning but Are Associated with Growth Rates of Singletons

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 884
Author(s):  
Emmanuelle Haslin ◽  
Rene A. Corner-Thomas ◽  
Paul R. Kenyon ◽  
Adrian J. Molenaar ◽  
Stephen T. Morris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Fat Pad ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Lamb Growth ◽  
Heavy Group

The experiment aimed to examine the impacts of an increased growth rate of ewes between three and seven months of age on udder development using ultrasound and to establish whether ultrasonography could be used to identify ewe mammary structures that may be indirect indicators of singleton growth to weaning. Udder dimensions, depths of gland cistern (GC), parenchyma (PAR) and fat pad (FP) were measured in late pregnancy (P107), early lactation (L29), and at weaning (L100) in 59 single-bearing yearling ewes selected from two treatments. The ‘heavy’ group (n = 31) was preferentially fed prior to breeding achieving an average breeding live-weight of 47.9 ± 0.38 kg at seven months of age. The ‘control’ group (n = 28) had an average breeding live-weight of 44.9 ± 0.49 kg. Udder dimensions, GC, PAR and FP did not differ between treatments. Lamb growth to L100 was positively associated (p < 0.05) with PAR at P107 and GC at L29. There was no evidence of negative effects of the live-weight gain treatments on udder development of yearling ewes as measured by ultrasonography. The results suggest that this ultrasound method has the potential to identify pregnant yearling ewes which would wean heavier singletons.

Levels of first winter feeding in relation to performance of Cheviot hill ewes

1964 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G Gunn
Keyword(s):  
Live Weight ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Total Treatment ◽  
North And South ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Winter Feeding

1. Over 3 years, different levels of first winter nutrition created the following live-weight differences between groups of North and South Country Cheviot ewe hoggs at 12 months of age. High plane (H.P.) and mid-plane (M.P.) fed groups born 1956 were 34–35% and 11–13% heavier, respectively, than low plane (L.P.) fed groups, H.P. and M.P. fed groups born 1957 were 47–57% and 18–24% heavier, respectively, than hill-wintered groups. Away wintered groups born 1958 were 9–12% heavier than hill-wintered groups. All group differences were highly significant.2. From 12 months onwards all groups were run together on the same hill and received similar management. Live weight and live measurement response of the total treatment groups and of the heavy and light hoggs within the groups prior to treatment were studied over the summer after treatment from 12 to 18 months.

Milk production from diets of silage and dried forage. 1. Effects of methods of processing dried grass and of including barley in the supplementation of grass silage given ad libitum

1976 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Tayler ◽  
K. Aston
Keyword(s):  
Energy Content ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Female Cattle

SUMMARY1. Young adult and adult British Friesian female cattle (heifers and cows) which were lactating were individually fed on diets of grass silage ad libitum with supplements of dried grass, dried grass/barley or barley/groundnut in two randomized block experiments.2. In Experiment I, equal quantities of dry matter (DM) as dried grass in the form of a wafer (W), cob (C) or pellet (P) were given with the silage during weeks 8 to 18 of lactation, to three groups of 12 heifers. Silage DM intakes were respectively 14·2, 14·3 and 15·8 ± 0·43 g/kg live weight per day (P<0·05). Milk yields were 14·0, 15·6, 16·7 ± 0·35 kg/day (P< 0·001). Milk composition and live-weight change did not differ significantly.3. In Experiment II, five treatment groups of heifers and cows were offered silage with equal amounts of a supplement of either dried grass pellets (treatment 1) or dried grass/barley in the ratios of 2: 1 (treatment 2), 1: 2 (treatment 3), or a barley/groundnut supplement (treatment 4). In treatment 5 the cattle received the same supplement as in treatment 4, but at a 10% higher level. Silage DM intakes for treatments 1 to 5 during lactation weeks 6 to 22 were 8·64, 8·94, 7·96, 6·96, 7·63 kg/day (1, 2>4, P<0·01; 2>5, P<0·05). The intake of digestible organic matter, milk yields and live-weight changes over the whole experimental period were not influenced significantly by treatments 1 to 4, but in treatment 5 the milk was significantly higher in fat, protein and energy content than in treatments 1 to 4. Blood composition was normal and did not differ markedly between treatments.

Effect of post-partum levels of nutrition on productivity of 2-year-old heifers

1988 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Whittier ◽  
D. C. Clanton ◽  
G. H. Deutscher
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Nutrient Intake ◽  
Research Council ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
National Research Council ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Visual Condition ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Production Growth ◽  
Feeding Systems

AbstractForty crossbred heifers, mated to one sire, that calved in a 20-day period were used to study the effect of varying time and level of post-partum nutrition on productivity. Heifers were individually fed for 90 days post partum beginning at parturition: (1) proportionately 1·3 National Research Council (NRC) 1984 recommendations for 45 days followed by 0·7 NRC for 45 days (130·70); (2) 1·0 NRC for 90 days (100·100); and (3) 0·7 NRC for 45 days followed by 1·3 NRC for 45 days (70·130). Milk production, growth and body condition were estimated periodically during the lactation. The 130·70 heifers maintained their weight during the first 45 days of lactation, while the 100·100 and the 70·130 heifers lost weight (−0·33 and 0·60 kg/day, respectively). During the second 45-day period, the 100·100 and 70·130 heifers gained weight (0·24 and 0·72 kg/day, respectively) while the 130·70 heifers lost weight (−0·39 kg/day). Visual condition scores paralleled weight changes during both phases of the feeding period. Milk production varied according to nutrient intake and treatment differences were greatest at 45 days post partum (8·1, 7·3 and 6·1 kg/day for 130·70, 100·100 and 70·130, respectively). Calf weight gains were unaffected by dam nutrition. Days to first oestrus, days to conception or services per conception were not significantly different (P > 0·05) among treatment groups. Based on this experiment, neither of the alternate feeding systems resulted in decreased performance when compared with feeding at a constant level. Therefore, it appears that latitude exists in the way heifers can be fed early in their first lactation, without adversely affecting production.

Level of feeding during early life and the subsequent reproductive performance of sows

1961 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Lodge ◽  
R. M. McPherson
Keyword(s):  
Live Weight ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Litter Weight ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Medium Level ◽  
Plane Group ◽  
High Level ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Size At Birth

1. Nine groups of 4 litter-mate Wessex Saddleback gilts were divided on a within-litter basis between 4 treatments so that they were reared from 8 weeks of age to 200 1b. live-weight according to different levels of total feed intake; (a) a high level rising to 8·0 1b. meal per day at 200 1b. live-weight, (b) a medium level approximately 80% of the high, (c) a low level approximately 60% of the high and (d) changing from the low to the medium level between 14 and 16 weeks of age. From 200 1b. live-weight to mating at first heat after reaching 300 1b. all were fed to the medium scale (6·5 1b. meal per day), and all were treated alike during each of 3 pregnancies and lactations.2. Mean rate of growth from weaning to 100 1b. and from 100 to 200 1b. differed significantly between treatments (P<0·001), and mean efficiency of feed conversion of the low-plane group was significantly poorer than that of the high-plane group (P<0·05) from weaning to 100 1b. live-weight.3. All gilts, regardless of treatment, reached puberty at approximately the same age (25 weeks), with the result that mean weight at puberty differed markedly between treatments (P<0·001); 116, 154, 189 and 147 1b. for treatments (a) to (d) respectively.4. Gilts reared on medium and high planes of feeding exhibited oestrus less strongly than those reared on the low-plane, with the result that mean weight at successful mating was significantly greater in these two groups (P<0·05).5. Four gilts in the low-plane group and one in the high-plane group failed to conceive after repeated matings, but numbers were insufficient to indicate the significance of this.6. From the original 36 gilts, 27 first litters, 26 second litters and 25 third litters were produced and reared to 8 weeks of age. There was no significant difference between treatment groups in litter size at birth, mean weight of piglets at 3 or 8 weeks of age or total litter weight at weaning.7. Trouble from temporary collapse of the legs was experienced in all but one gilt of the high-plane group between 6½ and 7½ months of age.

Levels of first winter feeding in relation to performance of Cheviot hill ewes: IV. Body growth and development from 18 months to maturity

1967 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Gunn
Keyword(s):  
Growth And Development ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Body Growth ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Maturity Level ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
North And South ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
All Treatment

1. The effects of different levels of first winter nutrition over 3 years were studied from 18 months to maturity on the growth and development of groups of North and South Country Cheviot ewe hoggs (sheep between 6 months and 1½ years).2. Differences in live weight amongst treatment groups within breeds and years were not significant at 30 months or any subsequent age. Live weight increase continued up to 54 months. Although leg growth had virtually ceased in all treatment groups by 18 months, body growth continued beyond 27 months and differences between treatments, although not always significant, were still present at that time.3. The effects of first-winter treatment were also studied on the heavy and light hoggs (i.e. those above and below average weight) prior to treatment. Differences in weight and size between treatment groups were less persistent in the heavy animals, disappearing by 30 months, while in the light animals they were still present at that time. Regardless of treatment the within-group differences between heavy and light animals increased up to 54 months, the light animals showing relatively slower rates of gain.4. The difficulty of interpreting data on liveweight change due to age, state of maturity, level of feed, and season interactions is commented on. The probable effects of differential productivity resulting from treatment on growth and development from 18 months onwards are discussed.

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