LambGrowthPostWeaningL10

• Why do farmers want fast growth rates of lambs post weaning?

  Heavier lambs can be bred as ewe hoggets, holding at a later date when feed is short
• What are some benefits for lambs growing faster to reach slaughter weight?

  Less feed it'll consume, less exposure to health issues, less labor, high lifetime performance, higher value
• The average lamb growth rate in NZ of weaned lambs is around 80 to 100 g/d
• Why are fast lamb growth rates are best from a nutritional perspective?

  Less total feed it consumes to reach target weight, less feed used for maintenance
• Lamb growth from weaning to 10 months of age
• Weaning generally occurs at 10 to 16 weeks of age
• Live weight gains of at least 100 to 130 g/d are required
• In summer, lambs/hoggets should be a priority class of stock
• Regular weighing allows farmers to monitor progress
• It's much more efficient to get lambs off farm early by getting ewes up to weight and having extra lambs
• Weaned lambs require allowances of 3-4 kgDM/day and post grazing masses of 1200 kgDM/ha
• Lambs seem to do better when set stocked
• Herbage intakes will also affect wool growth and quality
• Grass quality and quantity is often decreased in late summer/autumn (autumn ill thrift)
• What crops can be used to increase (maintain) lamb growth rates?

  Clovers, rape, lucerne, chicory, pasja, etc
• Why are growth rates often higher on crops than on ryegrass? Ryegrass and white clover production is often decreased in dry conditions. In autumn ryegrass looses quality. Endophytes in ryegrass in autumn negatively affect growth of lambs. Facial eczema is not an issue on crops. Crop management and structure mean lambs are less exposed to internal parasites.
• Non pregnant hoggets should still be achieving growth rates of 40-75 g/day during the winter.
• If non pregnant hoggets don't grow through the winter there is greater risk of them

  Not achieving suitable live weights at two-tooth breeding (at 18 months)
• Allowances should be 1.2 to 1.5 kg DM/d with post grazing masses of 700 -1000 kg DM/ha.
• Hoggets should be either run on a separate block or in front of mature ewes in the rotation
• Traditional non bred ewe lamb/hogget growth (10 - 18 months) should be set stocked in spring to achieve growth rates of 200 g/day. Ideally pasture masses should not go below 1200 kg DM/ha.
• Setting targets and weighing non bred ewe lambs/hogget regularly allows a farmer to determine how his/her hoggets are performing and to take early action if required (i.e. she should be 60 kg at 18 months)