Strategic Feeding of Merino Ewes in Late Pregnancy to Increase Colostrum Production

The production of colostrum in 3 1 Merino ewes was estimated immediately after parturition. The ewes varied from 2 to 6 years of age. They were of 2 genotypes (Australian Merino Society and Meridale) and all produced single lambs. Ewes were allocated to a supplemented group (1 kg/ewe.day lupins and lush pasture) or unsupplemented group (lush pasture) in the final week of gestation. The supplementation significantly increased the amount of colostrum produced before birth to nearly twice that of the unsupplemented ewes. No significant differences were found between the genotypes or between the ages of the ewes in the volume of colostrum produced before the birth, although colostrum production tended to increase with increasing age of the ewe. The birth weights of the lambs were not influenced by the shortterm feeding of their mothers in late gestation. High costs of supplements and increased chances of birth difficulties preclude their long-term use for pregnant ewes, but short-term supplementation such as we have described here has great potential as a valuable tool for the reduction of lamb mortalities by ensuring that adequate volumes of energy and immunoglobulins are available to the lamb after birth.