Nutritional management pre-conception
Nutritional management pre-conception
Nutritional management pre conception aims to have the ewe at optimum condition at joining to facilitate high fertility and a successful conception. The ewe should be on a level or slightly rising plane of nutrition from three weeks pre-joining to four weeks post joining. Body condition score (BCS) of the ewe at joining effects productivity with each one unit increase in BCS (within the range 2.5 to 4) at joining increasing litter size by 0.13 and joining ewes at a BCS of less than 2.5 increases the risk of barrenness. Each 1 unit increase in BCS is equivalent to an increase of approximately 12 kg in live weight or approximately 15% of live weight. In general, ewes grazing high quality grass swards can gain approximately 1 kg live weight per week. Therefore it is important to allow sufficient time to improve BCS. Ewes should be condition scored at weaning and again six weeks pre joining to determine what change is required in BCS, implement a plan to achieve this and to have time for BCS change to be achieved.
Nutritional management pre conception aims to have the ewe at optimum condition at joining to facilitate high fertility and a successful conception. The ewe should be on a level or slightly rising plane of nutrition from three weeks pre-joining to four weeks post joining. Body condition score (BCS) of the ewe at joining effects productivity with each one unit increase in BCS (within the range 2.5 to 4) at joining increasing litter size by 0.13 and joining ewes at a BCS of less than 2.5 increases the risk of barrenness. Each 1 unit increase in BCS is equivalent to an increase of approximately 12 kg in live weight or approximately 15% of live weight. In general, ewes grazing high quality grass swards can gain approximately 1 kg live weight per week. Therefore it is important to allow sufficient time to improve BCS. Ewes should be condition scored at weaning and again six weeks pre joining to determine what change is required in BCS, implement a plan to achieve this and to have time for BCS change to be achieved.
SheepNet : SHaring Expertise and Experience towards sheep Productivity through NETworking (2 of 2)
Ongoing | 2016-2019
- Main funding source
- Horizon 2020 (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- France