Lamb production from animals weaned at 3 to 5 weeks of age on to lucerne

Abstract

An experiment designed to test whether lambs weaned as earlv as 3 to 5 weeks of age on to young lucerne could survive and grow is described. The growth of 190 lambs from birth to slaughter at marketable weights is recorded; 60 of the lambs comprised an early-weaned group, and the remainder were reared on the ewe.

The live weights of the early-weaned group compared favourably with those of lambs at the same age reared on their mothers, who grazed ryegrass-white clover pasture. Carcass weights of the former group were only 2 lb less at slaughter. Weaned lambs ate the plant apex and side leaves of the lucerne plant and left the stalk. Chemical analysis showed that the parts of the plant eaten were equal in quality to a proteinrich concentrate. Taste panel studies indicated that the meat from earlyweaned lambs, although tender, was dry and lacked flavour, these characteristics being associated with low quantities of visible fat.

It was concluded that lambs can be weaned successfully at a very early age on to lucerne, and that intensive lamb production based on the practice could be feasible in New Zealand.