Sheep Nutrition. Sheep Nutrition. Nutrient Needs. Sheep Nutrition Water. Products Produced. Use of Pasture\Range and Forages.

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1 Products Produced Muscle (Meat) Milk Fiber (wool, mohair, cashmere) Use of Pasture\Range and Forages Able to produce acceptable product on forage Nutrient Needs Water Energy (TDN, ME, or NE) Protein (CP or DP) Minerals (NaCl, Ca, P) Vitamins (Vit A) Water Quality more important than other species Intake affected by: type of feed consumed environmental temperature stage of production rain, dew or snowfall gal water for lb of 9% DM consumed Water Sheep have less fecal water loss than cattle -% vs - for cattle Pregnant ewes can survive on snow alone Sheep grazing plants with 6-7% moisture will consume very little water Biological Cycle of the Ewe Stage of Production Duration(days) Breeding() ( st 5 wks) 85 (6 wks) Parturition ( st 8 wks) 5 5 5

2 Ewe Requirements Stages of production FLUSHING GESTATION LACTATION Most concerned with last trimester of gestation and the first 6-8 wks of lactation Dry Matter Intake Dry Matter Intake Sheep consume roughage at same level per unit of metabolic size as cattle. (BW to.75 power) Greater consumption when expressed as % of bodyweight Lambs.% BW at 66 lb vs.5% at lb Ewes: % BW at ;.5+% at LB Dry Matter Energy Energy Requirements Most Limiting Nutrient in Sheep Production Inadequate Feed Feeds of Low Quality LB TDN.5.5

3 Process of increasing energy weeks prior to breeding and - weeks into breeding season Results in increased ovulation rates (-% increase in lambing ) Involves increasing ME concentration in diet from. Mcal/kg to. Mcal/kg (. Mcal ME per day) Last 6 weeks most critical 7 % of fetal growth occurs during this time Ewes with a single lamb need 7 % more ME per day and those with twins 57 % more ME per day Ketosis can be problem if energy not provided Inadequate nutrition also affects milk production and lamb birth weights NE preg Requirements for Ewes Carrying Different Numbers of Fetuses Stage of (days) Number of Fetuses % % % Protein Quantity more important than Quality Depend on Rumen Microbes for Quality Lush Pastures and high Quality Hays serve as Adequate Protein Sources NE preg Required (kcal/day) Crude Protein Requirements Ewe Milk Production Curve M i l k.6 LB CP Y i e l d 5 5 Weeks of

4 Milk production peaks at - weeks Produce -8 lb per day Ewes with twins produce - % more than ewes with singles Requirement for lactation: intake % BW; 6.6 Mcal ME/day( lb TDN);.9-. lb CP/day Composition of Ewe s Milk Dry Matter 8. % Fat 7. % (5- %) Protein.5 % Lactose.8 % Calcium. % Minerals 5 minerals identified as essential for sheep Macrominerals Microminerals Most needs are met under normal grazing and feeding habits Nutrient Na Cl Ca P Macromineral requirements of sheep (percentage of diet dry matter) Requirement Mg K S Micromineral requirements of sheep and maximum tolerable levels (ppm, mg/kg of diet dry matter) Calcium Requirements Nutrient Requirement Max Tolerable Level I Fe Cu 7-5 Grams Ca 6 Mo.5-5% Lam'ng Rate Co % Lam'ng Rate Mn Zn Se F

5 Mineral Supplementation Salt Supply loose salt free choice no blocks Feed at level of.5-. oz/head/day Trace minerals also added when feeds are deficient in mineral content Ca:P ratio Urinary Calculi Copper Mineral Disorders toxicity Selenium White muscle disease 5