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Supreme Lamb Feedlot Trial15-Apr-2009
SUPREME LAMB FEEDLOTTING TRIAL
A lamb feedlotting trial was carried out at Supreme Stockfeeds last winter. Contract prices this year are $1.10 per kg better than the trial prices which shows 2009 and possibly 2010 as excellent years to feed lambs.The goal of the trial was to maximise weight gains through most efficient feed conversion using a specialist Supreme Stockfeeds lamb feedlotting ration, exiting lambs at a minimum of 43kg in finished condition.
The lambs used were 105 first cross White Suffolks from Walcha NSW, which were empty on arrival and averaged 33kg.
The old cattle yards on the Supreme sites were used as the feeding pens. Each pen used gave the lambs approximately 1.5 square metres each, which reduced the energy required for walking to feed and water as well as allowing them to shelter together in the coldest part of the Guyra Winter. Lambs were split into two pens, with a water trough, a square bale of barely straw and a two tonne self feeder. Pen one contained 52 lambs, Pen two contained 53 lambs, which minimised competition for feed.
Lambs were given free access to barley straw and were fed Lamb Feedlot Mix as a ration per head per day for the first five days to allow them to accustom to the yards and each other. On the 6th day self feeders in the pens were filled giving the animals adlib access to the Lamb Feedlot Mix. The lambs visually improved in condition, however part of the trial plan was to not weigh until day 21, giving all 105 lambs an opportunity to get on feed and be comfortable in their pens social structure.
The climate was very harsh on the trial with snow falling at least one day every week for the first 21 days. An extra barley straw bale was given to each pen to shelter and camp in. Visually the animals lost weight during these cold wet days, with consumption of feed increasing.
First Weigh - Day 21: Average weight: 42.27kg, which saw an increase of 8.27kg since introduction. Feed consumption to this date was an average of 900 grams per head per day. There was no evidence of either pen out/underperforming the other.
The remaining 64 lambs were returned to the pens for a further 14 days.
Second Weigh - Day 35: Average weight 44kg, which saw the lighter lambs from the first weigh hit target weight.
Results in Summary:
Days on feed: 35
Average entry weight: 33kg
Average exit weight: 44.5kg
Average daily gain: 343grams
Average feed intake: 1kg/head/day
Average lamb cost in: $70
Average lamb cost out: $105
Cost of feed: $0.50 per head per day ($17.50 per lamb)
Average profit per lamb: $17.50
The results show the opportunity of lot finishing lambs during the winter when the lamb market is historically higher in northern NSW.
Thoughts for Improvement
From these results it can be assumed daily average gain would have been better if the lambs had more protection from the elements. Compensatory gain was an issue after periods of cold and wet weather. If lambs had been shedded, FCR would have been more efficient.
The first cross genetics of the sheep did well considering, however second cross lambs would have converted feed better, making the trial more profitable.
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