Adding weight to lambs is the value added portion of most sheep operations. Goal is to do it as cheap as possible. Feeding Lambs DGM:ISU

 Nutrient Requirements  How to Feed  What to Feed  Nutritional Disorders Overview DGM:ISU

 Pre-weaning  0-3 weeks  3 weeks - weaning  Post-weaning  Marketing Goals  Feed Resources  Facilities Phases of Lamb Feeding DGM:ISU

 Milk is the only source of nutrients  ewes in condition for milking  healthy udders  frequent observation for starve outs 0-3 weeks phase DGM:ISU

 Get lambs started on creep  palatable and fresh corn, SBM, hay, molasses  creep environment nicest place in the barn  multiple entrances 3 weeks to weaning phase DGM:ISU

 Fully functional at 6-8 weeks of age  Before hay is of less value than for ewes  Lambs learn from mom’s to eat  Hay is effective in the creep  Rumen development starts as soon as lambs begin eating. Rumen Development DGM:ISU

Stages of rumen development from The Ruminant Animal Digestive Physiology and Nutrition, Church birth 2 weeks 4 weeks 6 weeks8 weeks Market lamb

 Remove ewes and leave lambs ideally out of sight and hearing  Do not change ration at weaning  Maintain same groupings ie keep sibs together  Minimum interruptions Weaning Stress DGM:ISU

 How to feed  self-feeder or hand fed  What diet to feed  gain desired  relative costs  equipment to mix and handle  what form  Nutrient requirement Post Weaning Decisions DGM:ISU

Self-feeder vs hand fed DGM:ISU Less labor Lower cost for feeders Equipment for filling Sorting Lamb observation Control intake Lamb observation Use roughage Stricter schedule More bunk space 6-10 in /hd

 Gain desired  targeted marketing date  maximum gain most efficient Ex. 50 pound lamb 2.5 intake = gain.64 & FE of intake = gain.46 & FE of 4.3 What diet to feed? DGM:ISU

 Ration cost has the biggest single effect on cost of gain  Currently ration costs should be < $.12 per pound  Compare on cost of gain basis not cost per pound of ration Comparison Shopping DGM:ISU

 Whole corn : pelleted protein supplement  superior FE 10-20% less feed  less processing cost  customized  downfall sorting  protein costs ($600/t) Standard Ration DGM:ISU

 Feed form and Intake Level on performance and carcass DGM:ISU Hamp Targee cross Whole Corn Pelleted Corn ADG* Feed Conversion Dress % BF REA* Fluharty etal.1999

 Affected by: Weight Sex Genetics Nutrient Requirements DGM:ISU

Energy and Protein Calcium Phosphorous H 2 O Selenium Vitamin E Important Nutrients

 Frame Size, Growth and Carcass Traits DGM:ISU Texas Rambouillet Wethers SmallMediumLarge Gain on Wheat Past Gain feedlot Feed conversion Feed cost of gain/cwt$36.36$34.02$35.28 Feed cost per head $18.18$17.01$17.64 Nichols etal. 1992

 Why do Feed companies Market Feeds by protein content? DGM:ISU

 Sort lambs by weight groups  Sort lambs by sex and/or growth potential  Adjust protein concentration frequently (every 3 weeks or less)  Market lambs when ready  how do you know Using the Information

65 % of average weight of dams on the dam and sire side. Example: Polypay ewe bred to Suffolk ram ( ) / 2 = X 65% = 138 lbs expected wt when lamb has.15 in. back fat How do you know what weight lambs should be ready?

 Ration cost per ton  Feed Conversion Genetics NSIP, terminal sire death loss and over all health feeding and storage waste  Average daily gain  Timely marketing Cost of gain

 Nutritional Disorders DGM:ISU Enterotoxemia/overeating poor vaccination program or bunk management White muscle inadequate Vitamin e or selenium intake Polioencephalomacia/thiamine deficiency screwed up rumen Coccidiosis

 Additives DGM:ISU Coccidiosis Bovatec 30 grams per ton or Decox 22.7mg/100lb about 10 grams / ton Enterotoxemia chloratetracycline grams/ton or oxytetracycline grams per ton Note: one can not legally feed Bovatec and antibiotics together Ralgro implants, 12 mg

 Summary DGM:ISU Lamb feeding is common sense Nutrient requirements change so should the ration Goal is to produce cheap gains Lamb finishing is the value added portion of the sheep industry