EFFECTS OF LEVEL AND DURATION OF PASTURE SILAGE SUPPLIMENTATION ON GAINS AND OVULATION RlZTES OF EWES

Abstract

Increasing amounts (0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0 kg DM/ewe/day) of chopped (10 cm) wilted silage (32.5% DM) was offered to groups of oestrous-synchronized mixed-age Coopworth ewes (n = 50/ group), grazing two restricted levels of autumn pasture (0.8 and 1.6 kg DM allowance/ewe/day). Gains over the 48-day trial .increased linearly with the amount of silage fed from -140 to 68 and from -65 to 105 g/ewe/day, respectively, at each allowance. Ovulation rates were measured by laparoscopy at two oestrous cycles. A linear model with logit transformation was used to determine treatment effects on the proportion of multiple ovulations. At both cycles there was a linear effect between multiple ovulations and level of silage intake and thereby sustained gain. Fine-chopped wilted silage proved superior to conventional silage for flushing.