Abstract

Well or poorly reared ewes were differentially fed at 1 of 5 pasture allowances for 6 weeks prior to a synchronised mating. Rearing class and flushing treatment significantly affected ovulation rate. The well and poorly reared ewes had mean multiple ovulation rates per ewe cycling of 39 and 19% respectively. Fitting pre-flushing and joining weights as covariates removed rearing and differential feeding effects on those rates. Extrapolation of the data suggests that poorly-reared ewes would ovulate similarly to well reared ewes at similar mating weights. Facial eczema depressed live-weight gain and had a further detrimental effect on the probability of ewes ovulating.

RW, Kelly, and GH Shackell

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 42, , 29-32, 1982