TO GRAIN OR NOT TO GRAIN

SHELBURNE FARMS LAMB FEEDING TRIAL Phoebe Garfinkel Sam (Shepherd) Smith Chet Parsons Ed Jackson Rachel Gilker Elaine Burnor

Research made possible by: Shelburne Farms and Conservation Fund

Lambs have been traditionally finished in confinement on grain

Shelburne Farms has an ample supply of grass Shelburne Farms cheese is made from milk from their dairy herd of Brown Swiss dairy cows

Results of forage test on the dairy cow pasture from 2005 Sid Bosworth, UVM and Nat Bacon, Shelburne Farms

Why not feed some of this grass to lambs?

Divided the lambs into three equal groups

Groups were randomly selected Raised by ewe Raised with a bottle

One group was put in confinement and fed grain.

The other two groups were put on pasture

Both groups on pasture were provided with water, minerals and shade; and one group was provided with whole shell corn.

The lambs were weighed every two weeks

Total mean weight gain per sheep in pounds. Grain Fed39.8A Pasture Only31.6B Pasture Plus Corn29.0B

ConcentratePasture Plus CornPasture Only Feed costs Yardage/land use fees Labor Cost per lb.of gain Costs

Pasture Walk Explained MIG Fencing

Live Lamb Grading Workshop Compare degree of finish on lambs

Taste Testing

Some considered taste. Others just ate.

Taste Testing No significant difference between groups; it was all good.

What did we learn? Lambs need to be taught to graze? Corn –Period to get acclimated to it –Limit the amount they receive?? Parasites on pasture

What did we learn? Grain –More expensive but quicker –Excessive fat if taken to a heaver weight?

What did we learn? Grass fed lamb appeared to be comparable to grain fed in taste test –Keep in mind it was excellent grass