Effect of Prolific Breed Type and Silage Type on Ewe Performance During Late Pregnancy

Multiple-bearing ewes undergo significant increases in energy and protein requirements during late pregnancy and high-quality forages are essential to meet these requirements in forage-based production systems. Three prolific breed types (Belclare X, Lleyn X, and Mule (Blue-faced Leicester ram and a Black-faced mountain ewe)) were offered one of two silage types: Italian ryegrass and red clover silage (IRGRCS) or perennial ryegrass silage (PRGS) in a 3 × 2 factorial experiment. No breed type effects were observed for ewe body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), and combined litter weight (CLW; P > 0.05) but Mule ewes had lower dry matter (DM) and metabolisable energy intakes compared to Belclare X ewes which subsequently lead to lower colostrum yield over the first 18 h postpartum compared to Belclare X ewes with less colostrum available for their progeny per kg of birth weight (P < 0.05). Silage type had no effect on ewe DM intake, BW, BCS, colostrum yield and composition, CLW, and subsequent lamb performance (P > 0.05). When IRGRCS was offered to ewes, higher apparent efficiency of energy utilisation was achieved (P < 0.0001) with higher ruminal pH and ammonium concentrations. Overall, the nutrient composition of both silage types was similar and silage type had minimal effect on ewe and lamb performance. Prolific breed type can affect forage and nutrient intake and colostrum yield.