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SHELBURNE FARMS LAMB FEEDING TRIAL
Phoebe GarfinkelSam (Shepherd) SmithChet ParsonsEd JacksonRachel GilkerElaine Burnor
Research made possible by:Shelburne Farms andConservation Fund
Lambs have been traditionally finished in confinement on grain
Shelburne Farms hasan ample supply of grass
Shelburne Farms cheeseis made from milk fromtheir dairy herd of Brown Swiss dairy cows
Results of forage test on the dairy cow pasture from 2005
Sid Bosworth, UVM and Nat Bacon, Shelburne Farms
Why not feed some of this grass to lambs?
Divided the lambs into three equal groups
Groups were randomly selected
• Raised by ewe
• Raised with a bottle
One group was put in confinement and fed grain.
The other two groups were put on pasture
Both groups on pasture were provided with water, minerals and shade; and one group was provided with whole shell corn.
The lambs were weighed every two weeks
AVERAGE TWO WEEK GAIN
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
June 22 July 6 July 20
Po
un
ds Pasture plus corn
Pasture
Confinement
LAMB WEIGHTS
4045505560657075
6/2/
2006
6/9/
2006
6/16
/2006
6/23
/2006
6/30
/2006
7/7/
2006
7/14
/2006
DATE
LB
S
G/Corn
Grass
Confine
Total mean weight gain per sheep in pounds.
• Grain Fed 39.8A
• Pasture Only 31.6B
• Pasture Plus Corn 29.0B
Concentrate Pasture Plus Corn Pasture Only
Feed costs 429.31 87.41 0
Yardage/land use fees 22.80 50.00 50.00
Labor 157.50 168.75 168.75
Cost per lb.of gain 1.44 0.78 0.55
Costs
Cost Per Pound of Gain
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
1.6
Pasture Pasture plus corn Confinement
$
Pasture Walk
Explained MIGFencing
Live Lamb Grading Workshop
Compare degree of finish on lambs
Taste Testing
Taste Testing
Taste Testing
Some considered taste. Others justate.
Taste Testing
No significant differencebetween groups;it was all good.
What did we learn?
• Lambs need to be taught to graze?
• Corn– Period to get acclimated to it– Limit the amount they receive??
• Parasites on pasture
What did we learn?
• Grain– More expensive but quicker– Excessive fat if taken to a heaver weight?
What did we learn?
• Grass fed lamb appeared to be comparable to grain fed in taste test– Keep in mind it was excellent grass
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