A group of crossbred Dorset or Finnish Landrace ewes maintained under a synthetic light regimen (Light Treatment, 4 mo long days - 16 h light, 4 mo short days - 8 h light) and exposed to rams every 8 mo (January 1, September 1, May 1) was compared for lamb production over a period of 4.5 yr with two other comparable groups under natural daylight conditions, one exposed to rams once a year in th...

The objectives of this experiment were to evaluate the effects of dietary protein supplementation in lactating dairy ewe’s diets on milk coagulation properties. Milk samples (n=126) were analyzed to assess the source of variation for rennet coagulation ability at the 6th (RCA6) and 12th hour (RCA12), milk clotting time (MCT, s) and an index of milk clotting time (IMCT, %). In addition, data wer...

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of replacing coastcross hay NDF by soybean hull (SH) NDF on the lactation performance and eating behavior of ewes and also on the performance of their lambs. Fifty-six Santa Inês lactating ewes (56.1 +/- 6.8 kg of initial BW; mean +/- SD) were penned individually and used in a randomized complete block design with 14 blocks and 4 trea...

Three experiments were conducted, using 1,488 ewes during seasonal anestrous and during the normal estrous period, to evaluate the influence of breed on response to exogenous hormones. Treatment was intravaginal, progestogen pessaries Days 1 to 16, 10 mg crystalline progesterone on Day 16, followed by 750 IU PMS on Day 17. In the anestrous ewes a second PMS injection was given on Day 32 in one ...

Two trials were conducted to determine whether feeding excess degradable intake protein (DIP) during a synchronized estrous cycle and the first 5 d after breeding alters early embryonic development, ovarian steroids, or BUN concentrations in ewes. Ewes were group-fed in Trial 1 (T1) and individually fed in Trial 2 (T2) either 100 (control; T1, n = 15; T2, n = 12) or 200% (high-protein; T1, n = ...

Here, we present research to overcome a current limitation of temperate grassland systems provide home-grown, early season protein for lactating ewes—a period high demand in these systems. Traditionally used as forage crop, there is renewed interest common vetch (Vicia sativa) due its ability grow during low temperatures over-winter compared other legumes. We hypothesised that would support the...

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of milking frequency reduction and dietary lipid supplementation on intake, BW, and milk yield and composition in high yielding dairy ewes. Ten lactating Assaf ewes were allocated into 2 experimental groups (n = 5). Ewes were fed alfalfa hay ad libitum and 34 g·kg–1 of BW of a concentrate feed with either 0 (Control group) or 43 g of sunfl ow...

the objectives of this experiment were to evaluate the effects of dietary protein supplementation in lactating dairy ewe’s diets on milk coagulation properties. milk samples (n=126) were analyzed to assess the source of variation for rennet coagulation ability at the 6th (rca6) and 12th hour (rca12), milk clotting time (mct, s) and an index of milk clotting time (imct, %). in addition, data wer...