Sheep nutrition for reproduction—Part II: Use of focused nutritional inputs to enhance reproductive response of sheep
1 like603 views
The document discusses the nutritional needs and principles for breeding ewes, focusing on the role of energy and protein in reproductive success. It highlights the importance of metabolizable energy and the degradation of protein in the rumen, detailing different protein sources' digestibility. Additionally, it addresses nutritional disorders that can affect sheep during crucial periods such as lactation and lambing.
Sheep nutrition for reproduction—Part II: Use of focused nutritional inputs to enhance reproductive response of sheep
- 1. Sheep Nutrition for Reproduction Part II: Use of Focused Nutritional Inputs to Enhance Reproductive Response of Sheep Jane Wamatu EIAR-DBARC-ICARDA-ILRI (LIVES)-FAO Training on Reproduction in Sheep and Goat, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia, 13-15 October 2014 J. Wamatu
- 2. Introduction The important principles for the breeding ewe center on the relationship between the utilization of energy and protein in the diet Metabolizable Energy (ME) ME is a measure of the energy contained in feeds rather than the production the feeds can support in the animal. ME is the gross energy of feed minus the losses of energy in faeces, urine and methane Protein The main factor influencing the level of microbial protein synthesis is the amount of energy available in the rumen
- 3. Protein degradation, digestion and utilization Proteins in feeds are broken down to ammonia by the microorganisms in the rumen. Microorganisms utilize the ammonia for growth. Energy is required for this process. When the micro-organisms in the rumen die they provide protein in form of microbial protein Microbial protein passes into the abomasum and intestines where it is digested. 80% of the microbial protein arriving the intestines is in form of
- 4. Protein degradation, digestion and utilization The extent to which a protein is degraded in the rumen varies with the protein source and the length of time it stays in the rumen. The protein that is degraded is refereed to as rumen degradable protein (RDP) The protein that passes from the rumen undegraded is known as undegradable dietary protein (UDP) At least 80% of the protein in most basal feeds e.g roughages (hays, straws) and cereal grains is readily degraded to ammonia by rumen microorganisms Protein supplements are less degraded e.g fishmeal is poorly degradable, then heat-treated soyabean and groundnut is an example of highly degradable of the supplements. URP have an chance to be digested in the intestines into amino acids.
- 5. Degradability of main feeds Type Feed DM (%) ME (MJ/kg) CP (%) Degradability (%) Grains Oats Barley Maize Wheat 86 86 86 86 12.6 13.0 13.5 13.9 10.5 12.0 9.8 12.5 85-95 85-95 60-70 70-80 High protein supplements Soya bean Fish meal 90 90 12.3 11.1 50.3 70.1 45-65 25-45 Hay Leafy grass Barley straw 85 86 10.1 7.3 13.2 3.8 70-80 80 Molasses 75 12.8 44.0 100
- 6. Please refer to hand–outs given for energy and protein amounts for different ewe live weights, maintenance and for changing body condition scores: Figure 1: Daily energy and protein allowances for ewes before mating Figure 2: Daily energy and protein allowances in early and mid-pregnancy Figure 3: Daily energy and protein allowances in late pregnancy for single lambs Figure 4: Daily energy and protein allowances in late pregnancy for twins Figure 5: Daily energy and protein allowances for lactating ewes
- 7. Nutritional disorders Hypomagnesaemia First 4-6 weeks of lactation at the peak of milk production Hypocalcaemia Lambing sickness Uncoordinated movements Muscular dystrophy White muscle disease Deficiency in Vitamin E/seleniun Stiffness in young, rapidly growing lambs around 3-4 weeks.