Lupin Supplementation in Late Pregnancy: Effects on Ewe Lactation and Lamb Growth

Fifty two crossbred ewes conceiving to a synchronised oestrus in January 1987 were ultrasound scanned for littersize and subsequently allocated according to littersize to twogroups (Lupin or Sorghum grain). The ewes grazed on dry Phalaris/clover pastures with supplementation (200 g/h/d) commencing 'at 100 days post conception at a rate of 200 g/h/d and continuing until parturition at which time all ewes were given a lupin supplement (250 g/h/d). Milk production levels were recorded (Table 1) using an oxytocin/machine milking technique (McCance 1959) , and lamb weights were recorded at birth and at each milking.