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Using automated supplementation systems to meet growth targets for grazing sheep

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Bowen, M. K., Pepper, P.M., Winkleman, J.L., McPhie, R.C. and Winter, M.R. (2008) Using automated supplementation systems to meet growth targets for grazing sheep. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 48 (9). pp. 1201-1209.

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Article Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/EA07412

Publisher URL: http://www.publish.csiro.au/

Abstract

Remote drafting technology now available for sheep allows targeted supplementation of individuals within a grazing flock. This paper reports results of three experiments. Experiment 1 examined the weight change of Merino wethers allowed access to either lupin grain or whole cottonseed 0, 1, 2 or 7 days/week for 6 weeks. Experiment 2 examined the weight change of Merino wethers allowed access to either lupins or a sorghum + cottonseed meal (CSM) supplement 0, 2, 4 or 7 days/week for 8 weeks. Experiment 3 investigated the relationship between five allocations of trough space at the supplement self-feeders (5–50 cm/sheep) and the weight change of Merino wethers allowed access to lupins 1 day/week for 8 weeks. In all experiments, the Merino wethers had free access as a single group to drinking water and low quality hay in a large group pen and were allowed access to supplement once per day on their scheduled days of access. No water was available in the areas containing supplement, but one-way flow gates allowed animals to return to the group pen in their own time.

There was a linear response in growth rate to increased frequency of access to lupins in Experiments 1 and 2, with each additional day of access increasing liveweight gain by 26 and 21 g/day, respectively. Similarly, the response to the sorghum + CSM supplement was linear, although significantly lower (P < 0.05), at 12 g/day. Providing access to whole cottonseed resulted in no significant change in growth rate compared with the control animals. In Experiment 3, decreasing trough space from 50 to 5 cm/sheep had no effect on sheep liveweight change.

It was concluded that the relationships developed here, for growth response to increased frequency of access to lupins or a sorghum + CSM supplement, could be used to indicate the most appropriate frequency of access to supplement, through a remote drafting unit, to achieve sheep weight change targets. Also, that a trough space of 5 cm/sheep appears adequate in this supplementation system.

Item Type:Article
Corporate Creators:Animal Science, Industry Services
Business groups:Animal Science
Additional Information:Reproduced with permission from © CSIRO Publishing. Access to published version is available via Publisher’s website.
Keywords:Precision nutrition; rangeland.
Subjects:Technology > Technology (General)
Animal culture > Sheep
Animal culture > Feeds and feeding. Animal nutrition
Live Archive:02 Mar 2009 01:20
Last Modified:03 Sep 2021 16:43

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