Project details
DARD research has been instrumental in demonstrating the potential of grass-based 'easy-care' lambing systems for the industry. This proposed project aims to build on the development work which has been undertaken to provide management systems which minimise the intervention required at lambing whilst maximising lamb survival and subsequent growth rates. The objectives of this proposal are: -
- Investigate factors influencing birth site selection by ewes and design low cost shelter provision/management systems for ewes to lamb down in a site sheltered from cold exposure.
- Investigate ewe and ram genetics and mid- and late pregnancy feeding regimes to minimise the level of intervention required at lambing in grass-based systems.
- Develop improved strategies for internal parasite control.
- Investigate the effect of flock genetics in easy-care systems on lamb carcass composition and meat quality.
References
Connolly, L. (2000). Labour on sheep farms. Proceedings of the 27th Meeting of the Irish Grassland and Animal Production Association, pp. 82.
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) (1996). An economic analysis of ewe flock performance in Northern Ireland 1994. Studies in Agricultural and Food Economics. Department of Agriculture, Belfast.
Journal Articles
Dawson, L. E. R. , McCoy, M. A. , Edgar, H. W. J. , Carson, A. F. (2011). Effect of concentrate supplementation at pasture and inclusion of condensed tannins (Quebracho) in concentrates on lamb performance and worm counts. Livestock Science, 135(2-3):205-214
Annett, R. , Dawson, L. E. R. , Edgar, H. W. J. , Carson, A. F. (2009). Effect of source and level of fish oil supplementation in late pregnancy on feed intake, colostrum production and lamb output of ewes. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 154:169-182
Annett, R. , Carson, A. F. , Dawson, L. (2008). Effects of digestible undegradable protein (DUP) supply and fish oil supplementation of ewes during late pregnancy on colostrum production and lamb output. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 146(3-4):270-288
Munoz, C. , Carson, A. F. , McCoy, M. A. , Dawson, L. E. R. , O'Connell, N. E. , Gordon, A. W. (2008). Nutritional status of adult ewes during early and mid-pregnancy. 1. Effects of plane of nutrition on ewe reproduction and offspring performance to weaning. Animal, 2(1):56-63
Munoz, C. , Carson, A. F. , McCoy, M. A. , Dawson, L. E. R. , O'Connell, N. E. , Gordon, A. W. (2008). Nutritional status of adult ewes during early and mid-pregnancy. 2. Effects of supplementation with selenised yeast on ewe reproduction and offspring performance to weaning. Animal, 2(1):64-72
Annett, R. , Carson, A. F. (2006). Effects of plane of nutrition during the first month of pregnancy on conception rate, foetal development and lamb output of mature and adolescent ewes. Animal Science Journal, 82:947-954
Munoz, C. , Carson, A. F. , McCoy, M. A. , Dawson, L. E. R. , Gordon, A. (2006). Effect of plane of nutrition in early and mid pregnancy on maternal and offspring performance of adolescent ewes. Irish Veterinary Journal, 59:212-212
Munoz, C. , Carson, A. F. , McCoy, M. A. , Dawson, L. E. R. , Gordon, A. (2006). Effect of selenium supplementation in early and mid pregnancy on maternal and offspring performance of adolescent ewes. Irish Veterinary Journal, 59:213-213
Dawson, L. E. R. , Carson, A. F. , Kilpatrick, D. J. , Laidlaw, A. S. (2005). Effect of herbage allowance and concentrate food level offered to ewes in late pregnancy on ewe and lamb performance. Animal Science Journal, 81:413-421
Annett, R. , Carson, A. F. , Dawson, L. E. R. (2005). The effect of digestible undegradable protein (DUP) content of concentrates on colostrum production and lamb performance of triplet bearing ewes on grass-based diets during late pregnancy. Animal Science Journal, 80(1):101-110
Rowe, M. T. (2004). Meat Hygiene - A proactive study. Advances in Meat Research, 1(3):3-4
Knowledge Transfer
Carson, A. F. , Annett, R. (2009). Key to a competitive industry. Article for Suffolk Society Yearbook 2009
Annett, R. (2008). Hill sheep in focus at AFBI farm walks. NI farming press
Annett, R. (2007). Farm walks to highlight breeding options for easier care sheep. NI farming press
Annett, R. (2007). Farm walks focus on maximising the value of grazed grass. NI farming press
Annett, R. (2007). Research for sustainable sheep production in the spotlight at farm walks. NI farming press
Annett, R. (2007). Farm walks outlined the options for easier-care sheep. NI farming press
Annett, R. (2007). Easy-care terminal sires cut labour costs. Farmers Weekly April 2007
Annett, R. (2007). Using Kiwi cross Suffolk tups for easier lambing. Article for SAC Beef and Sheep Newsletter
Annett, R. (2007). Farm workshop to examine feeding strategies to promote lamb viability. Press article 9th January 2007
Annett, R. (2007). Farm workshops highlight the options for easy-care lambing. Press release 19/01/2007
Annett, R. (2007). New Zealand Suffolk genetics - do the economics add up?. Article for Suffolk Sheep Society Yearbook
Annett, R. (2006). New Zealand Suffolk genetics in the spotlight. Article for Suffolk Sheep Society Newsletter
Annett, R. (2006). Save time and money at lambing. Article for Agrisearch Beef and Sheep Newsletter
Dawson, L. E. R. (2005). Reducing feed costs and labour inputs at lambing on sheep farms. Farming Press, March 2005
Reports
Annett, R. , Carson, A. F. (2007). Effects of feed block supplementation and sward surface height on the growth and carcass characteristics of lambs. Contract research report for Calltech-Agri Ltd.
Carson, A. F. , Morrison, S. J. (2006). An investigation on willow chip as a bedding material and potential slurry filtration system for beef cattle on slatted floor accommodation. Report commissioned by CSO, DARD.