Copra meal supplementation of lambing ewes in north west Queensland.

Abstract

Proc. Aust. Soc. Anim. Prod. Vol. 18 COPRA MEAL SUPPLEMENTATION OF LAMBING EWES IN NORTH WEST QUEENSLAND A.R. BIRD*, S.J. RIGNEY*, R.G.A. STEPHENSON** and B.M. O'SULLIVAN** When ewes in western Queensland graze mature grass pastures, low birth weight and survival of their lambs is due in part to poor maternal nutrition, Strategic use of protein supplements during late pregnancy has proved useful in This paper describes enhancing lamb birth weight (Stephenson and Bird 1987). an experiment evaluating the use of copra meal to improve lamb birth weight and survival. Forty-two pregnant (day 110 + 2) Merino ewes were selected from an autumnThey were joined experimental flock on Toorak Research Station, Julia Creek. allocated to six equal groups based on live weight and each group placed in a large outside pen. Between day 115 of pregnancy and day 21 post-partum, three groups were fed daily a copra meal (pelleted; 20% CP, 8% lipid) supplement at 150 g/ewe. Basal diet consisted of Mitchell grass hay (4% CP, 39% in vitro dry Urea was provided in the drinking ad libitum. matter digestibility (IVDMD)) water (2 g/l for all groups). Ewes and lambs were weighed regularly. and 7 post-partum (McCance 1959). Table 1 Milk production was determined on day 1 Effect of a copra meal supplement on live weight of ewes and birth weight and survival of their lambs Copra meal significantly (P~0.01) increased birth weight of twin lambs only (Table l),increased ewe milk production (786 vs 1009 ml/d; P<O.Ol) and ewe live weight post-partum. The results of this study indicate that copra meal could be a beneficial supplement for ewes with twins to enhance birth weights. Under industry conditions, a 30% increase in birth weight will ensure ~80% survival (Alexander 1974). Copra meal is comparable in price with other protein meals. ALEXANDER, G. (1974). In 'Size at Birth', Ciba Foundation Symposium 27, p. 215. McCANCE, I. (1959). Aust. J. Agric. Res. 10:839. STEPHENSON, R.G.A. and BIRD, A.R. (1987). In 'Second International Symposium on the Nutrition of Herbivores', p. 201, editor M. Rose (Australian Society of Animal Production). * Toorak Research Station, Julia Creek, Qld. 4823. ** Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane, Qld. 4001, 456