Productive performance of ewes in summer or autumn mating seasons, and receiving or not food suplementation during the mating period

Abstract

This work had as objectives to evaluate the performance of ewes from different genetic groups when mated in summer or autumn, and receiving or not food supplementation from 14 days before and during the mating season. Seventy-six ewes from the genetic groups Corriedale, Hampshire Down, Ile de France and Suffolk, with ages varying from 2 to 8 teeth, were used. Although greater weight gains occurred in the summer mating and in ewes receiving food supplementation, these differences did not enhance the reproductive performance of these animals. Productivity expressed as kg of weaned lambs / kg of joined ewes was similar for summer and autumn mating (0.27 and 0.26), and for ewes receiving or not food supplementation (0.27 and 0.26). The other evaluated effects, age of ewe, genetic group, type of lambing (single or twins) and sex of lambs, did not affect this productivity index. It can be concluded that in good pasture conditions, there is no need for food supplementation before and during the mating season. At the same way, it can be used summer or autumn mating seasons in the northern region of the Paraná state.