Supplementing protein and starch combined to ewes in good body condition may not improve colostrum in ewes
K. J. Kopp
A B F , S. M. Robertson A B , A. Abuelo A B C , A. J. Gunn A B , G. Xie D and M. A. Friend E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (NSW Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University), Albert Pugsley Place, Wagga Wagga NSW, 2650, Australia.
B School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
C College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, 784 Wilson Road, East Lansing Michigan 48824, USA.
D Quantitative Consulting Unit, Research Office, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
E Office of the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Research and Innovation, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
F Corresponding author. Email: kkopp@csu.edu.au
Animal Production Science 61(2) 108-116 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN19607
Submitted: 18 October 2019 Accepted: 11 September 2020 Published: 9 October 2020
Abstract
Context: Lamb survival can be compromised by twin-bearing ewes being unable to produce enough colostrum and immunoglobulins following parturition. Without sufficient colostrum production, newborn lambs are at risk of death due to starvation, mismothering, exposure and infection. These deaths can be reduced by altering the ewe’s nutrition in the final weeks of pregnancy. Starch, a glucose precursor, has increased colostrum production; however, the digestibility of starch can be increased with protein supplement, which may increase colostrum production.
Aims: Two separate experiments evaluated if protein supplementation, to a high-starch diet could improve colostrum production and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration in twin-bearing ewes. It was hypothesised that the addition of protein to a high-starch diet would have a cumulative effect on colostrum production and IgG.
Methods: Ewes in both experiments were randomly allocated to one of two treatments –control and protein (120 g/day canola meal) – with both treatments receiving 600 g/head.day barley grain. Feeding began from Day 130 of gestation until 2–10 days post-lambing.
Key results: Colostrum IgG concentration at 2–10 days old did not differ between treatments (P > 0.05) in both experiments. In Experiment 2, colostrum (3–7 h post-lambing) and milk production (2 days post-lambing) did not differ between treatments (P > 0.05), although metabolisable energy intake was affected by treatment (P = 0.018) with protein supplemented ewes consuming 12.91 ± 0.612 MJ ME/day and control ewes consuming 10.78 ± 0.854 MJ ME/day.
Conclusions: Supplementation of ewes with protein when consuming high-starch diets did not increase colostrum production nor the IgG concentration of colostrum in ewes with pre-lambing body condition scores above industry recommendations.
Implications: Supplementation of protein and starch combined has limited commercial viability and would not be recommended for late gestation ewes to increase colostrum production. However, supplementation of ewes on low-quality feed with canola meal can increase metabolisable energy intake, which may have other production benefits.
Keywords: lambing, lamb growth, nutrition, sheep, supplement.
References
Al-Sabbagh T (2009) Colostral immunoglobulin as affected by nutritional status in Border Leicester Merino ewes deliver at Kuwait. Global Veterinaria 3, 281–285.al-Sabbagh TA, Swanson LV, Thompson JM (1995) The effect of ewe body condition at lambing on colostral immunoglobulin G concentration and lamb performance. Journal of Animal Science 73, 2860–2864.
| The effect of ewe body condition at lambing on colostral immunoglobulin G concentration and lamb performance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 8617654PubMed |
Alexander G, Davies HL (1959) Relationship of milk production to number of lambs born or suckled. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 10, 720–724.
| Relationship of milk production to number of lambs born or suckled.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Amanlou H, Karimi A, Mahjoubi E, Milis C (2011) Effects of supplementation with digestible undegradable protein in late pregnancy on ewe colostrums production and lamb output to weaning. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 95, 616–622.
| Effects of supplementation with digestible undegradable protein in late pregnancy on ewe colostrums production and lamb output to weaning.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21114545PubMed |
Banchero GE, Quintans G, Milton JTB, Lindsay DR (2002) Supplementation of Corriedale ewes with maize during the last week of pregnancy increases production of colostrum. Australian Society of Animal Production 24, 273
Banchero GE, Quintans G, Martin GB, Lindsay DR, Milton JTB (2004a) Nutrition and colostrum production in sheep. 1. Metabolic and hormonal responses to a high-energy supplement in the final stages of pregnancy. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 16, 633–643.
| Nutrition and colostrum production in sheep. 1. Metabolic and hormonal responses to a high-energy supplement in the final stages of pregnancy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Banchero GE, Quintans G, Martin GB, Milton JTB, Lindsay DR (2004b) Nutrition and colostrum production in sheep. 2. Metabolic and hormonal responses to different energy sources in the final stages of pregnancy. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 16, 645–653.
| Nutrition and colostrum production in sheep. 2. Metabolic and hormonal responses to different energy sources in the final stages of pregnancy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Banchero GE, Quintans G, Vazquez A, Gigena F, La Manna A, Lindsay DR, Milton JTB (2007) Effect of supplementation of ewes with barley or maize during the last week of pregnancy on colostrum production. Animal 1, 625–630.
| Effect of supplementation of ewes with barley or maize during the last week of pregnancy on colostrum production.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22444419PubMed |
Banchero GE, Quintans G, Lindsay DR, Milton JTB (2009) A pre-partum lift in ewe nutrition from a high-energy lick or maize or by grazing Lotus uliginosus pasture, increases colostrum production and lamb survival. Animal 3, 1183–1188.
| A pre-partum lift in ewe nutrition from a high-energy lick or maize or by grazing Lotus uliginosus pasture, increases colostrum production and lamb survival.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22444848PubMed |
Blecha F, Bull RC, Olson DP, Ross RH, Curtis S (1981) Effects of prepartum protein restriction in the beef cow on immunoglobin content in blood and colostral whey and subsequent immunoglobin absorption by the neonatal calf. Journal of Animal Science 53, 1174–1180.
| Effects of prepartum protein restriction in the beef cow on immunoglobin content in blood and colostral whey and subsequent immunoglobin absorption by the neonatal calf.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 7319965PubMed |
BOM (2017) Peak Hill, New South Wales, June/July 2017 daily weather observations. Available at http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/IDCJDW2109.latest.shtml [Verified 29 August 2017]
Dennis SM (1974) Perinatal lamb mortality in Western Australia 4. Neonatal infections. Australian Veterinary Journal 50, 511–514.
| Perinatal lamb mortality in Western Australia 4. Neonatal infections.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 4447537PubMed |
Fatahnia F, Shahsavar A, Mirzaei-Alamouti H, Kohi DH, Amanlou H (2012) Influence of starch sources in prepartum diet on colostrum quality and blood immunoglobulin concentration of calves. Iranian Journal of Applied Animal Science 2, 57–61.
Geenty KG, Brien FD, Hinch GN, Dobos RC, Refshauge G, McCaskill M, Ball AJ, Behrendt R, Gore KP, Savage DB, Harden S, Hocking-Edwards JE, Hart K, van der Werf JHJ (2014) Reproductive performance in the sheep CRC information nucleus using artificial insemination across different sheep-production environments in southern Australia. Animal Production Science 54, 715–726.
| Reproductive performance in the sheep CRC information nucleus using artificial insemination across different sheep-production environments in southern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gilbert RP, Gaskins CT, Hillers JK, Parker CF, McGuire TC (1988) Genetic and environmental factors affecting immunoglobulin G1 concentrations in ewe colostrum and lamb serum. Journal of Animal Science 66, 855–863.
| Genetic and environmental factors affecting immunoglobulin G1 concentrations in ewe colostrum and lamb serum.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 3132438PubMed |
Hall DG, Holst PJ, Shutt DA (1992) The effect of nutritional supplements in late pregnancy on ewe colostrum production plasma progesterone and IGF-1 concentrations. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 43, 325–337.
| The effect of nutritional supplements in late pregnancy on ewe colostrum production plasma progesterone and IGF-1 concentrations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Halliday R (1974) Variations in immunoglobulin concentrations in Merino and Scottish Blackface lambs. Animal Production Science 19, 301–308.
Hawken PAR, Williman M, Milton J, Kelly R, Nowak R, Blache D (2012) Nutritional supplementation during the last week of gestation increased the volume and reduced the viscosity of colostrum produced by twin bearing ewes selected for nervous temperament. Small Ruminant Research 105, 308–314.
| Nutritional supplementation during the last week of gestation increased the volume and reduced the viscosity of colostrum produced by twin bearing ewes selected for nervous temperament.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Haydock KP, Shaw NH (1975) The comparative yield method for estimating dry matter yield of pasture. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 15, 663–670.
Hossamo HE, Owen JB, Farid MFA (1986) Body condition score and production in fat-tailed Awassi sheep under range conditions. Research and Development in Agriculture 3, 99–104.
Jefferies BC (1961) Body condition scoring and its use in management. Tasmanian Journal of Agriculture 32, 19–21.
Jordan DJ, Le Feuvre AS (1989) The extent and cause of perinatal lamb mortality in 3 flocks of Merino sheep. Australian Veterinary Journal 66, 198–201.
| The extent and cause of perinatal lamb mortality in 3 flocks of Merino sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 2775061PubMed |
Kendall PT, Ducker MJ, Hemingway RG (1983) Individual intake variation in ewes given feedblock or trough supplements indoors or at winter grazing. Animal Science 36, 7–19.
| Individual intake variation in ewes given feedblock or trough supplements indoors or at winter grazing.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kenney PA, Roberts GB (1984) Short and long term effects of feeding supplements of oats, wheat and lupin grain on the production of ewes lambing in autumn. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 24, 332–336.
| Short and long term effects of feeding supplements of oats, wheat and lupin grain on the production of ewes lambing in autumn.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lifetimewool (2011) Managing twin bearing ewes for increased production. Available at http://www.lifetimewool.com.au/Ewe%20Management/twins.aspx [Verified 7 August 2020].
Luff AF 1980. ‘A service for all seasons. Department of Agriculture, New South Wales. Final Report Australian Wool Corporation project, K/1/1051.’ Australian Wool Corporation: Melbourne
Maxwell W (1986) Artificial insemination of ewes with frozen-thawed semen at a synchronised oestrus. 2. Effect of dose of spermatozoa and site of intrauterine insemination on fertility. Animal Reproduction Science 10, 309–316.
| Artificial insemination of ewes with frozen-thawed semen at a synchronised oestrus. 2. Effect of dose of spermatozoa and site of intrauterine insemination on fertility.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McCance I, Alexander G (1959) The onset of lactation in the Merino ewe and its modification by nutritional factors. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 10, 699–719.
| The onset of lactation in the Merino ewe and its modification by nutritional factors.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McNeill DM, Murphy PM, Lindsay DR (1998) Blood lactose v. milk lactose as a monitor of lactogenesis and colostrum production in Merino ewes. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 49, 581–588.
| Blood lactose v. milk lactose as a monitor of lactogenesis and colostrum production in Merino ewes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Murphy PM, McNeill DM, Fisher JS, Lindsay DR (1996) Strategic feeding of merino ewes in late pregnancy to increase colostrum production. Australian Society of Animal Production 21, 227–230.
Nicolaou N, Xu Y, Goodacre R (2010) Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and multivariate analysis for the detection and quantification of different milk species. Journal of Dairy Science 93, 5651–5660.
| Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and multivariate analysis for the detection and quantification of different milk species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21094736PubMed |
NRC (2001) ‘Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle: Seventh Revised Edition.’ (The National Academies Press: Washington, DC)
O’Doherty JV, Crosby TF (1996) The effect of diet in late pregnancy on progesterone concentration and colostrum yield in ewes. Theriogenology 46, 233–241.
| The effect of diet in late pregnancy on progesterone concentration and colostrum yield in ewes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
O’Doherty JV, Maher PF, Crosby TF (1997) The performance of pregnant ewes and their progeny when offered grass silage, maize silage or a maize silage/ensiled super pressed pulp mixture during late pregnancy. Livestock Production Science 52, 11–19.
| The performance of pregnant ewes and their progeny when offered grass silage, maize silage or a maize silage/ensiled super pressed pulp mixture during late pregnancy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Owen JB, Ingleton JW (1963) A study of food intake and production in grazing ewes II. The interrelationships between food intake and productive output. The Journal of Agricultural Science 61, 329–340.
| A study of food intake and production in grazing ewes II. The interrelationships between food intake and productive output.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Packer EL, Clayton EH, Cusack PMV (2011) Rumen fermentation and live weight gain in beef cattle treated with monensin and grazing lush forage. Australian Veterinary Journal 89, 338–345.
| Rumen fermentation and live weight gain in beef cattle treated with monensin and grazing lush forage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21864305PubMed |
Pattinson SE, Davies DAR, Winter AC (1991) Colostrum production by prolific ewes. Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production 52, 79
| Colostrum production by prolific ewes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ponnampalam EN, Egan AR, Sinclair AJ, Leury BJ (2005) Feed intake, growth, plasma glucose and urea nitrogen concentration, and carcass traits of lambs fed isoenergetic amounts of canola meal, soybean meal, and fish meal with forage based diet. Small Ruminant Research 58, 245–252.
| Feed intake, growth, plasma glucose and urea nitrogen concentration, and carcass traits of lambs fed isoenergetic amounts of canola meal, soybean meal, and fish meal with forage based diet.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
R Studio Team (2015) ‘RStudio: Integrated development for R.’ (RStudio: Boston, MA)
Tabatabaei S, Nikbakht G, Vatankhah M, Sharifi H, Alidadi N (2013) Variation in colostral immunoglobulin G concentration in fat tailed sheep and evaluation of methods for estimation of colostral immunoglobulin content Acta Veterinario Brno 82, 271–275.
| Variation in colostral immunoglobulin G concentration in fat tailed sheep and evaluation of methods for estimation of colostral immunoglobulin contentCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Varela-Dlaz VM, Soulsby EJL (1972) Immunoglobulin synthesis in sheep: IgG2 deficiency in neonatal lambs*. Research in Veterinary Science 13, 99–100.
| Immunoglobulin synthesis in sheep: IgG2 deficiency in neonatal lambs*.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Watson DL, Lascelles AK (1973) Mechanisms of transfer of immunoglobulins into mammary secretion of ewes. The Australian Journal of Experimental Biology and Medical Science 51, 247–254.
| Mechanisms of transfer of immunoglobulins into mammary secretion of ewes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 4197733PubMed |
Weston RH (1988) Factors limiting the intake of feed by sheep. 11. The effect of pregnancy and early lactation on the digestion of a medium-quality roughage. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 39, 659–669.
| Factors limiting the intake of feed by sheep. 11. The effect of pregnancy and early lactation on the digestion of a medium-quality roughage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
