Abstract

This study investigates the effect of feeding a hyper-diverse pasture mix on pre-weaning ewe and lamb performance. Ewes were allocated to either standard pasture (ryegrass/red and white clover) or a hyper-diverse pasture mix (containing 21 species) at set-stocking and grazed that pasture type until weaning. Ewe and lamb live weights, lamb survival and pasture masses were monitored throughout the period. There was no difference (P>0.05) in lamb live weight at birth, docking or lamb survival between those that grazed the standard pasture compared to the hyper-diverse pasture. At weaning, there was no difference (P>0.05) in the live weight of ewes which grazed the two pasture types, however, lambs which grazed the hyper-diverse pasture were heavier than lambs which grazed the standard pasture. There was no difference (P>0.05) in average pasture mass of the two pasture types at a given timepoint (set-stocking, docking, post-docking, weaning). However, at docking the average pasture mass in the hyper-diverse pasture dropped below 1200 kg DM/ha which likely resulted in restricted feed intake of ewes and lambs. This study suggests indicates more research is required to determine the combined effect of pasture masses, botanical composition and pasture quality in hyper-diverse pasture mixes on ewe and lamb performance during the lactation period.

Gronqvist, G.V., Cranston L.M., Fraga F.J. Roca, Sneddon N.W., and Kenyon P.R.

New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production, Volume 84, Oamaru, 23-25, 2024