Lamb production at pasture

Abstract

This type of production concerns 60 % of lambs produced in France ; it is difficult to perform it successfully, and results can vary greatly between farms. The purpose of this paper is to present the ways of managing this type of production. It first deals with the factors controlling herbage intake in grazing sheep, then with those involved in efficiency of sheep production at pasture and grass utilization. Until 8-10 weeks of age, energy intake comes chiefly from ewe’s milk and lambs do not fully compensate a lack of milk with grass. From 6-8 weeks of age, the lower its growth is, the younger the lamb must be weaned, unless its liveweight is more than three times its birthweight. The choice of fattening method after weaning depends on the quantity and the quality of grass available, and also of the type of animal concerned. Supplementation at pasture has an effect on lamb performance only for low herbage allowances, and must be given first to lambs receiving low quantities of milk. Control of parasitism is one of the keys of successfull production.