Nutritional effects on mammary development and milk production: the effects of prepartum protein supplements

Abstract

Sixty mature crossbred ewes were grouped into four different feeding treatments on day 110 of pregnancy until lambing to evaluated the effect of prepartum protein intake on mammary development and subsequent productive performance. Treatments were similar for the amount of crude protein (60 g/h/d) and differed in the quality of protein content. Following parturition, all ewes were fed the same feed. Ewes did not differ in initial body weight and body condition score. Ewes fed the protein diets exhibited greater liveweight gain during gestation and then increased weight loss after lambing. Mean liveweight for the protein fed ewes at parturition was greater than the controls. Change in body condition score was greater for the high UDP group than for the low UDP group at lambing, but riot in early lactation. Lamb birth weight and growth rate did not differ significantly between treatments. Prepartum diets influenced mammary development and subsequent milk production. Ewes given lupin supplement produced more milk (P<0.05) with highest milk protein (P<0.05) production. Milk and milk fat production were influenced by prepartum undegradable protein. Supplemental protein prepartum may improve postpartum performance by minimising mobilisation of maternal labile protein pools to meet foetal and maternal growth requirements in late gestation and subsequently improve lactation performance.