Login | Request Account (DAF staff only)

Improving sheep feedlot management

Share this record

Add to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to XAdd to WechatAdd to Microsoft_teamsAdd to WhatsappAdd to Any

Export this record

Bowen, M. K., Ryan, M.P., Jordan, D.J., Beretta, V., Kirby, R.M., Stockman, C., McIntyre, B.L. and Rowe, J.B. (2006) Improving sheep feedlot management. International Journal of Sheep and Wool Science, 54 (2). pp. 27-34.

[img]
Preview
PDF
596kB

Abstract

This paper summarise six studies undertaken by the Sheep CRC to elucidate certain aspects of confinement feeding of sheep. A review of confinement feeding highlighted the variability of growth rate and feed conversion of sheep and revealed that little is known about the use of sorghum for feeding sheep. The review indicated that the main factors responsible for variation of growth rate and feed conversion were adaptation to grain and feeding system, including the preparation and presentation of feed. The importance of social and physiological adaptation to grain feeding was confirmed. Factors identified as responsible for safe induction and uniform growth rates included prior exposure to grain as lambs, gradual introduction of grain and, when concentrate was provided ad libitum from the first day, the use of either virginiamycin, a pelleted feed, a total mixed ration or a step-wise increase of high-starch grain components. Separate feeding of hay and grain resulted in performance comparable with that of a pelleted diet and that of a total mixed ration. Sorghum-based concentrate diets resulted in growth rates and carcase weights similar to that for winter cereal grains or pellets. Steam flaking or expanding of sorghum had no significant effect on growth rates or carcase weights. These results can be used to determine the profitability of various feedlotting options.

Item Type:Article
Business groups:Animal Science, Crop and Food Science
Additional Information:© The Australian Sheep Industry CRC.
Keywords:Sheep; confinement feeding; variability of growth rate; feed conversion; sorghum.
Subjects:Animal culture > Sheep
Animal culture > Feeds and feeding. Animal nutrition
Live Archive:03 Feb 2009 01:22
Last Modified:18 Jan 2022 23:36

Repository Staff Only: item control page

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics