Investigating the role of stocking rate and prolificacy potential on profitability of grass based sheep production systems

Bohan, A.; Shalloo, L.; Creighton, P.; Earle, Elizabeth D.; Boland, T. M.; McHugh, N.

doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2018.02.009

Cited by 32 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 17 publications

(44 reference statements)

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“…Maximising the number of lambs born per ewe per year is a key factor in profitable and sustainable sheep production [20], however the issue of dietary deficiency of nutrient supply is magnified with ewes of high prolificacy. With increased ewe prolificacy, the nutrient requirements, in particular the energy required by the ewe, also increases [21] during late pregnancy and lactation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining the Effects of Whole Crop Wheat Silage on Ewe Performance during Late Gestation Compared to Traditional Grass Silage across Three Prolific Breed Types

Higgins

Campion

Jones

et al. 2020

Animals

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Provision of adequate nutrient intake in late gestation of the ewe is an important determinant of dam and offspring performance. A 2 × 3 factorial design experiment examining two forage types, whole crop wheat silage (WCWS) or grass silage (GS) offered to one of three prolific breed types, (Belclare X, Lleyn X, Mule (Bluefaced Leicester × Blackface Mountain)), was conducted. Forage type had no impact on dry matter (DM) or metabolizable energy (ME) intake, body weight and body condition score change, or colostrum production (p > 0.05). Ewes offered WCWS had lower crude protein (CP) intake (p < 0.0001) and a lower combined litter weight (p < 0.05). Mule ewes consumed less DM, CP, (p < 0.05), and ME (p < 0.01) compared to Belclare X and Lleyn X ewes however, water intake per kg DM consumed did not differ with breed type (p > 0.05). Colostrum yield over the first 18 h postpartum was lower for Mule ewes compared to other breed types (p < 0.05). In conclusion, results from this study suggest nutrient concentration and balance as opposed to forage type is important for late gestation nutrition and breed type can impact feed intake and colostrum yield.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining the Effects of Whole Crop Wheat Silage on Ewe Performance during Late Gestation Compared to Traditional Grass Silage across Three Prolific Breed Types

Higgins

Campion

Jones

et al. 2020

Animals

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“…When grazed herbage is compared to silage and concentrates, its cost of production is in the ratio of 1:1.8:2.4 respectively (Finneran et al., ). Herbage can supply up to 95% of the energy requirements of sheep (with the other 5% accounting for supplementation to ewes pre‐lambing; Davies & Penning, ), providing sheep producers in temperate regions of the world an opportunity to maximize output from herbage through increased herbage dry‐matter (DM) production and utilization (Bohan et al., ; Keady, Hanrahan, & Flanagan, ). Achieving a balance between the supply of high‐quality herbage and herbage utilization is paramount in optimizing temperate grass‐based lamb production systems (Earle et al., ); however, this remains a challenge for many producers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of increasing pasture species on herbage production, chemical composition and utilization under intensive sheep grazing

Grace

Boland

Sheridan

et al. 2018

Grass and Forage Science

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A complete randomized design was used to investigate the effect of increasing pasture species on herbage production, chemical composition and utilization under intensive sheep grazing. Four experimental farmlets were established, namely perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) only, receiving 163 kg N ha−1 year−1 (PRG); a perennial ryegrass and white clover (Trifolium repens) sward (PRGWC); a six species sward containing two grasses, two legumes and two herbs (6S); and a nine species sward containing three grasses, three legumes and three herbs (9S), each receiving 90 kg N ha−1 year−1. Ewes (12.5 ewes ha−1) and lambs rotationally grazed each farmlet from turnout post‐lambing until housing. Target pre‐grazing herbage mass (above 4 cm) was 1,200 kg dry‐matter (DM) ha−1, Target post‐grazing sward height was 4 cm for all rotations. Herbage samples were collected for DM yield, botanical and chemical composition determination at each grazing. Annual DM production of the 6S, 9S and PRG swards was similar (10.3, 9.9 and 9.9 ± 0.5 t DM ha−1, respectively) despite differences in N application. The 6S sward, however, had greater annual DM production compared to the PRGWC sward (9.1 t DM ha−1, p < 0.05). Herb proportions decreased in the 6S and 9S swards from 2015 to 2016 (p < 0.05) resulting in increased proportions of grass in these swards (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the PRGWC, 6S and 9S swards produced similar annual herbage DM from lower N inputs to PRG swards; however, maintaining the proportions of herbs is a challenge under intensive sheep grazing.

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“…These results are in agreement with those published by Simplí cio & Azevedo (2014), who emphasised that the profitability by ewes and area unit exploration is influenced by the number of offspring marketed and incorporated into the herd as replacement animals. Bohan et al (2018) found that the main drivers of profitability were the number of lambs weaned per ha, related to the growth and utilisation of pastures, since the animals of this simulation were also considered to be grazing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Economic Assessment of the Productive Parameters in Meat Sheep Production Using Discrete Event and Agent-Based Simulation

Reijers¹,

Sartorello²,

Ojeda-Rojas³

et al. 2019

JAS

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A hybrid stochastic model was developed including discrete events and agent-based simulations in order to identify the productive parameters and management criteria that most affect meat sheep production. A sheep herd on a pasture termination system, without weaning and with natural mating, was outlined. In order to devise this herd, a pre-existing database from between 1999 and 2013 was used. This conceptual model included the flushing, mating, gestation, lactation, termination and maintenance phases. Health, feeding and management criteria were also considered and recommended. Simulation scenarios were built which were later evaluated by regression analysis. The net operational margin was between R$ 11 741.80 and R$ 21 389.80, and an average of R$ 14 412.14 ± R$ 3 873.02 for different scenarios. Food costs had the greatest impact (25.4%) in relation to operating costs, while health costs were the lowest (1.3%). The abortion rate showed a higher linear response in contrast to the birth rate and the net operating margin, upon analysing ewe productivity parameters. However, neonatal mortality showed the greatest impact on net profit and on general lamb mortality. Carrying out economic analyses within the livestock sector can make a difference within such a competitive market, where prices are not controlled, only costs. The use of discrete event and agent-based simulation methodologies allowed for the assessment of different approaches to sheep production. The present study demonstrated the tool’s potential within the scope of meat sheep production, but this model can act as a guideline for other animal production systems.

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Investigating the role of stocking rate and prolificacy potential on profitability of grass based sheep production systems

Abstract: Investigating the role of stocking rate and prolificacy potential on profitability of grass based sheep production systems, Livestock Science,

Cited by 32 publications

References 17 publications

Examining the Effects of Whole Crop Wheat Silage on Ewe Performance during Late Gestation Compared to Traditional Grass Silage across Three Prolific Breed Types

Examining the Effects of Whole Crop Wheat Silage on Ewe Performance during Late Gestation Compared to Traditional Grass Silage across Three Prolific Breed Types

The effect of increasing pasture species on herbage production, chemical composition and utilization under intensive sheep grazing

Economic Assessment of the Productive Parameters in Meat Sheep Production Using Discrete Event and Agent-Based Simulation

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