INFLUENCE OF LASALOCID ON THE PRODUCTION OF GESTATING EWES IN AN EXTENSIVE GRAZING SYSTEM

A winter feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the influence of lasalocid (L) on the production of gestating ewes in an extensive grazing system. Six hundred and sixty ewes were randomized within age and breed and allotted to feed supplements (0.23 kg head−1 d−1) containing either no L (C) or L at 308 mg kg−1 and fed for 84 d during gestation. Ewe weight change within periods (three, 28-d periods) was similar (P > 0.10) with the exception of period 2 where L-supplemented ewes tended to gain more (P   0.10) by treatment. Treatment had no affect (P > 0.10) on the percentage or kilograms of lamb weaned for ewes starting the experiment. Ewes suckling twins and fed L during gestation had less (P < 0.05) lambs bummed (lamb removed from the ewe and sold) or grafted (lamb removal from the ewe and raised by a foster mother) than those in C group and suckling twins. In conclusion, provid...