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Aim: to recover body condition in milked ewes in view of the mating
Description:
- Lactating and milked ewes deplete their body condition during the first months of lactation when energy exported in milk overtakes energy intake.
- If body reserves of fat and protein are not recovered by the time of the beginning of mating, the concentration of lambings in targeted periods and fertility rate are at risk. To reduce this inefficiency it is suggested to assess ewe body condition at least three times before mating:
- BCS1: during mid-lactation (day in milk: 60) ewes are BC scored. Ewes with BCS < 2.5 are submitted to a 60-day recovery plan (e.g. + 200 g/day of maize grain up to mating or AI).
- BCS2: ewes are scored again three weeks before mating or AI. If ewes score around 2.5, they are submitted to dietary flushing, the length and type of flushing depending on the availability and quality of pasture (see the solution: Feeding for reproductive efficiency: body condition recovery and flushing).
- BCS3: at the introduction of rams or at the AI to check the effect of previous nutrition on ewe body condition.
Expected benefits: Increased fertility, the concentration of lambings and prolificacy.
Prerequisites and/or limits: knowledge, training on BCS method, software to key and process BCS data and for grouping of animals. To this end, a prototype of a smart-phone based system to process BCS data coupled with ewe ID has been developed by “Sementusa” private firm in Sardinia and is nowadays under a validation procedure.
References
Lassoued, N., Rekik, M., & Ben Salem, H. (2009). Influence of supplementary feeding and the ram effect on conception rate of Barbarine ewes during spring mating. Options Méditerranéennes. Séries A, (85), 405–409. Retrieved from http://om.ciheam.org/om/pdf/a85/00801035.pdf
Scaramuzzi, R. J., Oujagir, L., Menassol, J. B., Freret, S., Piezel, A., Brown, H. M., … Fabre Nys, C. (2014). The pattern of LH secretion and the ovarian response to the “ram effect” in the anoestrous ewe is influenced by body condition but not by short-term nutritional supplementation. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 26(8), 1154–1165. https://doi.org/10.1071/RD13139
Munoz, C., Carson, A. F., McCoy, M. A., Dawson, L. E. R., O’Connell, N. E., & Gordon, A. W. (2009). Effect of plane of nutrition of 1-and 2-year-old ewes in early and mid-pregnancy on ewe reproduction and offspring performance up to weaning. Animal, 3(05), 657–669. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731109003917
Burke, J. M., Jackson, W. G., & Robson, G. A. (2002). Seasonal changes in body weight and condition, and pregnancy and lambing rates of sheep on endophyte-infected tall fescue in the south-eastern United States. Small Ruminant Research, 44(2), 141–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-4488(02)00045-7
Tips & Tricks
Sentinel breeds to monitor BCS
Use of technology for productivity
Expected impacts:
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Stakeholder Perception for Implementation of Solutions |
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1. Level End-User Assessment (Partner) |
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Country |
Italy |
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Partner |
Agris |
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Topic |
Reproduction |
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Issue |
Body condition score (BCS) during reproduction |
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Solution No/Name |
Managing ewe body condition for a successful mating |
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Service provider/technicians+vet or farmers |
farmers/advisors |
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Benefit |
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Benefit expected |
Increase productivity, fertility, prolificacy, better labor organization, better feed management |
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System |
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Is the solution suitable for various production systems |
Y |
Precise the systems – all types define in the first survey |
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If no – for which system |
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Cost |
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What are the asset costs |
Costs are related to the time spent to the training of the farmer |
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What are the maintenance costs |
Costs are related to the work load and depend on the size of the flock |
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Any limits to its applicability |
skill and training on BCS method |
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Work Load |
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Farmers |
Service provider/tech.-vet-others |
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How much time is required to prepare and implement the solution |
>=1 week |
>=1 week |
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How many people is needed to implement the solution? |
depend on farm organisation |
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Timing |
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How long it takes to get results? |
from mating to lambing |
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How long it takes to see an effect on sheep productivity? |
next production period |
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Equipment/Facility |
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Farmers |
Service provider/technicians-vet-others |
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What kind of equipment/tool are necessary? |
A software to collect BCS data and manage grouping animals may be useful |
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Skill/Knowledge-Training (farmer) |
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Does the solution need any specific skill/knowledge or training? |
skill, training and updating on BCS method |
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How much time will be required for training |
1 week |
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Wider Environment |
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Is there any particular regulation link to the solution? |
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Does the solution need any particular structure or organisation? |
An extension service system that compare data of different flocks may be useful |
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Other Comments |
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