A survey of producer practices and reproductive performance of containment and supplementary fed ewes

Abstract

Containment feeding, where ewes are fed complete rations, is used to maintain flock numbers in periods of inadequate pasture supply. Producer practices influence both the reproductive performance of ewes and the risk of health challenges. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive, feeding and health management practices of producers using containment or supplementary feeding, and quantify any associations between practice and reproductive performance. An online survey of Australian producers was conducted in 2020. The number of responses (n = 43) allowed benchmarking but was insufficient to determine correlations between practice and performance. The reported pregnancy rate of adult Merino ewes was variable between respondents (78%-95%; n = 11), and lambs marked per ewe joined ranged from 60% to 110% (n = 9). In non-Merino flocks, lambs marked ranged from 82% to 161% (n = 4). Most respondents (9/11) fed cereal grain with hay or straw, either daily or two or three times a week. However, some respondents fed grain only or roughage only, such that the percentage of roughage in diets ranged from 0% to 100%. Ewes were most frequently separated into age groups for feeding, and shy feeders were only removed by 25% of respondents. Although generally the reported reproductive rate was high, wide variation indicates potential for improvement. Best practice management for containment remains unclear and requires further research given the diverse practices used. Veterinary practitioners should be aware that some of the practices used may contribute to reduced productivity or health issues in ewes.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Commercial Ewe Management Practices for Different Sheep Breeds across Southern Australia

“…The practice of flushing ewes prior to mating can improve estrus response and ovulation rate dependent on the type of supplement and the length of time fed [42][43][44]. A range of flushing lengths were reported, which is consistent with a previous survey [45], and varied by breed. A proportion of producers, predominantly autumn and summer mated Merino producers, were uncertain or did not believe flushing was a beneficial practice.…”

Frequency of feeding during the periconceptional period did not alter reproduction in Merino sheep

“…It remains unclear whether a reduced feeding frequency would alter fecundity for ewes fed non-cereal diets. However, cerealbased rations were the most commonly used feedstuff in Australian drought-feeding situations reported in a producer survey (Robertson et al 2021).…”

Patterns of Reproductive Management in Sheep and Goat Farms in Greece

“…Of these, 27 (69%) were published in 2019 and thereafter, which indicates the current increased interest in this topic. Among those recently published studies, Rivas et al [ 1 ] presented the information collected from 157 sheep farms in Spain, by means of a structured questionnaire with 150 questions related to reproduction and breeding indicators in the flocks; Robertson et al [ 2 ] reported an online survey, with 43 respondents, to assess reproductive management practices and their potential interactions within sheep flocks in Australia. With regard to goat farms, Alemayehu et al [ 3 ] surveyed 242 goat farms in Ethiopia and recorded the reproductive patterns, with the aim to assess the management practices performed in that country, whilst Niang et al [ 4 ] recorded the reproductive management details of 3138 female goats in India and reported the relevant reproductive performance outcomes.…”