Soybean-Supplemented Nursing Ewes Showed Better Performance and Health Status Than Corn-Supplemented Ewes Stocked in Woodlands

Abstract Previous woodland-grazing studies recommended nutritional supplementation to young, growing goats and sheep as well as lactating does. However, information is limited on the role of supplement type to improve the performance and health status of nursing ewes raised in woodlands. This study tested a hypothesis that nursing ewes would remain healthy and perform equally well either with corn or soybean supplements. The study objective was to evaluate the performance and blood parameters of the nursing ewes when stocked in woodlands with corn or soybean supplements. Eighteen Katahdin-St. Croix cross-nursing ewes were divided into two groups. Each group was stocked in a separate set of woodland plots (3 plots/group) and rotated among those plots throughout the study period along with ad libitum hay from May to August 2022. Group-1 ewes were supplemented with whole corn and Group-2 ewes with whole soybean (0.5% of body weight). Animal performance data [body weight, FAMACHA score, and body condition score (BCS)] were measured on day 1, fortnightly during the study, and at the end of the study. For assessing the health status, blood samples were collected on days -1, 45, and 80 and analyzed for hematological and biochemical parameters using ProCyte-Dx Analyzer and Catalyst One (Table 1). Animal performance and blood parameter data were analyzed using the GLM procedure in SAS 9.4. Soybean-supplemented nursing ewes had greater body weight (22%, P < 0.05), and better FAMACHA score (13%, P < 0.01) and BCS (8%, P < 0.001) in comparison to corn-supplemented nursing ewes. Similarly, blood urea nitrogen, alkaline phosphate, cholesterol, and calcium concentration were greater in soybean-supplemented vs. corn-supplemented ewes (P < 0.05). Results suggest that soybean is a better supplement than corn for enhancing the performance and health status of nursing ewes grazing in woodlands.