Should lambs born to one-year-old ewes and grown to heavy live weights be retained as replacements and mated at seven months of age?

Abstract

The lifetime productivity and efficiency of singleton- and twin-born ewe lambs born to one-year-old ewes were compared with twin-born ewe lambs born to mixed-age ewes. Romney ewe lambs either born as twins to mixed-age ewes (Heavier n = 135 and Control n = 135), or to one-year-old ewes as singletons (L1; n = 135) or twins (L2; n = 88) were included. The Heavier ewes weighed 47.9 ± 0.36 kg at ewe lamb breeding while Control ewes weighed 44.9 ± 0.38 kg. The lifetime number of lambs born and weaned, and the lifetime weight of lambs weaned were used to calculate both feed and ewe efficiency. Heavier ewes had greater lamb production as one-year-old ewes than L1, L2 and Control ewes, after which the yearly lamb production and efficiency did not differ between treatments. Heavier ewes had a greater lifetime number and weight of lambs weaned than L1 and L2 ewes but did not differ from Control ewes. The lower lifetime production of L1 and L2 ewes was driven by their low production as one-year-old ewes. Farmers, therefore, could select their replacements from ewes born to one-year-old ewes and have similar lamb production to ewes born to mixed-age ewes, providing they reach recommended pre-breeding live weights.