Effects
of prepartum high linoleic safflower seed supplementation for gestating ewes on
cold tolerance and survivability of lambs
H.
B. Encinias, T. C. Faller, M. L. Bauer, G. P. Lardy
Lamb survival during periods of cold weather can be a problem in northern climates. Effects of prepartum safflower seed supplementation for ewes were investigated and effects on lamb survival and performance were noted. One hundred twenty-two gestating ewes (75.8 ± 7.6 kg initial weight) were allotted randomly to one of two dietary treatments (4 pens per treatment). Ewes were fed alfalfa-based, isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets formulated to contain either 4.6 (HF) or 1.9% (LF) dietary fat beginning approximately 45 d prepartum. Rolled safflower seeds (32% fat; 80% linoleic acid) were supplemented in HF, while solvent extruded safflower meal was used as protein source in LF supplement. Energy was balanced in LF with corn. All pens were offered same amounts of feed throughout trial. Initial and final ewe body condition and weights were measured, in addition to birth weights, lamb morbidity, and mortality. Initial and final body conditions were similar (P > 0.43). Low fat ewes had gained more weight (P = 0.05) at the end of the trial. Incidence of multiple births and birth weights were not different (P > 0.20). Although not significant, lambs from HF dams had numerically higher survivability (P = 0.34) and tended to have less lambs die due to starvation (P = 0.20). High linoleic safflower seeds may be beneficial in improving lamb survivability and further research in this area is warranted.
Key words: Safflower, Supplementation, Cold Tolerance, Lamb Survival