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Dr. Dan Morrical Iowa State University Extension Sheep Specialist

Feeding and Managing Lambs from Birth to Harvest. Feeding and Managing Lambs from Birth to Harvest. Dr. Dan Morrical Iowa State University Extension Sheep Specialist. Dr. Dan Morrical Iowa State University Extension Sheep Specialist. DGM:ISU. DGM:ISU. Feeding Lambs .

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Dr. Dan Morrical Iowa State University Extension Sheep Specialist

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  1. Feeding and Managing Lambs from Birth to Harvest Feeding and Managing Lambs from Birth to Harvest Dr. DanMorrical Iowa State University Extension Sheep Specialist Dr. DanMorrical Iowa State University Extension Sheep Specialist DGM:ISU DGM:ISU

  2. Feeding Lambs Adding weight to lambs is the value added portion of most sheep operations. Goal is to do it as cheap as possible. DGM:ISU

  3. Overview • Nutrient Requirements • How to Feed • What to Feed • Nutritional Disorders DGM:ISU

  4. Phases of Lamb Feeding • Pre-weaning • 0-3 weeks • 3 weeks - weaning • Post-weaning • Marketing Goals • Feed Resources • Facilities DGM:ISU

  5. 0-3 weeks phase • Milk is the only source of nutrients • ewes in condition for milking • healthy udders • frequent observation for starve outs DGM:ISU

  6. 3 weeks to weaning phase • Get lambs started on creep • palatable and fresh corn, SBM, hay, molasses • creep environment nicest place in the barn • multiple entrances DGM:ISU

  7. Rumen Development • Fully functional at 6-8 weeks of age • Before hay is of less value than for ewes • Lambs learn from mom’s to eat • Hay is effective in the creep • Rumen development starts as soon as lambs begin eating. DGM:ISU

  8. Stages of rumen development from The Ruminant Animal Digestive Physiology and Nutrition, Church Market lamb 2 weeks birth 4 weeks 6 weeks 8 weeks

  9. Weaning Stress • Remove ewes and leave lambs ideally out of sight and hearing • Do not change ration at weaning • Maintain same groupings ie keep sibs together • Minimum interruptions DGM:ISU

  10. Post Weaning Decisions • How to feed • self-feeder or hand fed • What diet to feed • gain desired • relative costs • equipment to mix and handle • what form • Nutrient requirement DGM:ISU

  11. Less labor Lower cost for feeders Equipment for filling Sorting Lamb observation Control intake Lamb observation Use roughage Stricter schedule More bunk space 6-10 in /hd Self-feeder vs hand fed DGM:ISU

  12. What diet to feed? • Gain desired • targeted marketing date • maximum gain most efficient Ex. 50 pound lamb 2.5 intake = gain .64 & FE of 3.9 2.0 intake = gain .46 & FE of 4.3 DGM:ISU

  13. Comparison Shopping • Ration cost has the biggest single effect on cost of gain • Currently ration costs should be < $.06 per pound • Compare on cost of gain basis not cost per pound of ration DGM:ISU

  14. Example Corn vs Oats Corn serves as the Standard energy source $1.96 / bu / 56 = $.035 per pound $.035 / 77% TDN = $.045 per pound TDN Oats are worth: 32 pound bu X 68% TDN = 21.8 lb TDN 21.8 X $.045 = $.86/ bu

  15. Standard Ration • Whole corn : pelleted protein supplement • superior FE 10-20% less feed • less processing cost • customized • downfall sorting DGM:ISU

  16. Feed form and Intake Level on performance and carcass  Hamp Targee cross Whole Corn Pelleted Corn ADG* .76 .59 Feed Conversion 4.25 4.81 Dress % 52.6 53.0 BF .27 .23 REA* 2.47 2.70 Fluharty etal. 1999 DGM:ISU

  17. Nutrient Requirements • Affected by: Weight Sex Genetics DGM:ISU

  18. Important Nutrients Energy and Protein Calcium Phosphorous H2O Selenium Vitamin E

  19. Nutrient Requirements Protein varies the most Lamb Intake Daily Gains (lb.) wt(lb.)/lamb.5.6.7.8 40 2.4 15.9 17.0 18.6 20.4 55 2.9 13.4 14.7 15.8 16.9 70 3.1 12.8 13.9 14.7 15.5 85 3.4 12.0 12.7 13.4 14.3 100 3.6 11.4 11.9 12.6 13.3 >115 3.8 10.8 11.4 11.9 12.5

  20. Frame Size, Growth and Carcass Traits  Texas Rambouillet Wethers Small Medium Large Gain on Wheat Past. .14 .15 .14 Gain feedlot .60 .72 .73 Feed conversion 6.06 5.67 5.88 Feed cost of gain/cwt $36.36 $34.02 $35.28 Feed cost per head $18.18 $17.01 $17.64 Nichols etal. 1992 DGM:ISU

  21. Using the Information • Sort lambs by weight groups • Sort lambs by sex and/or growth potential • Adjust protein concentration frequently (every 3 weeks) • Market lambs when ready • how do you know

  22. How do you know what weight lambs should be ready? 65 % of average weight of dams on the dam and sire side. Example: Polypay ewe bred to Suffolk ram (175 + 250) / 2 = 212.5 212.5 X 65% = 138 lbs expected wt when lamb has .15 in. back fat

  23. Cost of gain • Ration cost per ton • Feed Conversion genetics death loss and over all health waste • Average daily gain • Timely marketing

  24. Nutritional Disorders  • Enterotoxemia/overeating • poor vaccination program or bunk management • White muscle • inadequate Vitamin e or selenium intake • Polioencephalomacia/thiamine deficiency • screwed up rumen DGM:ISU

  25. Enterotoxemia chloratetracycline 20-50 grams/ton or oxytetracycline 10-20 grams per ton Additives • Coccidiosis • Bovatec • 30 grams per ton • or • Decox • 22.7mg/100lb • about 10 grams / ton Note: one can not legally feed Bovatec and antibiotics together DGM:ISU

  26. Summary  • Lamb feeding is common sense • Nutrient requirements change • so should the ration • Goal is to produce cheap gains • Lamb finishing is the value added portion of the sheep industry DGM:ISU

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