Effect of weaning system on lamb growth, mammary gland development and ewe milk production in dairy sheep managed in an outdoor pasture-based commercial farming system

The objective was to merge science and practice determine the feasibility of a mixed suckling milking system compared with traditional exclusive management on production performance dairy sheep their progeny in an outdoor pasture-based farming at commercial scale. At 14 d postpartum, twin- triplet-bearing mixed-age East Friesian ewes were randomly allocated either once-a-day milking,suckling early weaning (MS, n=61) or control later (Ctrl, n=57) using randomised block design. MS lambs had lower live weight (14.6 vs. 16.7 kg; P<0.001) but 3-5weeks post-weaning average daily gain mammary gland mass similar between groups. Ewe lamb positively associated not pre-weaning (P<0.01). Weaning influenced percentage protein, total solids fat (MS > Ctrl) while milk yield, somatic cell count lactose levels different. This study highlighted that comparedwith Ctrl no negative effects dam performance.