Effect on growth of early weaning lambs on to pure stands of lucerne

Abstract

The growth of lambs weaned at 4 weeks of age on to pure stands of lucerne was compared with that of lambs suckling their dams on similar lucerne and also with suckled Jambs on ryegrass-white clover pastures. Growth rate of early—weaned lambs was severely checked immediately after weaning, when levels of sodium (0.06%), fibre (16%), and dry matter (13%) were low in lucerne. They also developed an apparent “ pica” for soil after weaning. Three percent of early—weaned lambs died of “red gut”. No lambs died while suckling, and none died when transferred to weedy lucerne at 11 weeks. Final live weight at drafting at 15 weeks was 28 ± 0.2 kg for the early—weaned group and 32 ± 0.3 kg for the suckled groups.