Integrating novel forage management into sheep farm systems

Abstract

Sheep have a higher intake of nutrients when offered continuous free access to ryegrass and white clover growing separately than when offered the same species growing as a mixture. To determine if this greater nutrient intake would translate to higher animal performance, three experiments of 3-6 weeks duration measured liveweight gain by ewes+twin lambs in early spring, weaned lambs in mid-late spring and hoggets during late winter to identify the class of sheep most responsive to this form of forage presentation. Offering pasture comprised of ryegrass and clover growing separately resulted in higher average daily gains for weaned lambs (330 vs 185 g/ day, P