Publication Date
1989
Description
In the sub-humi\i (700-1000 mm rainfall p.a.) sub-tropical regions of Southern Africa, fat lambs have traditionally been produced as a by-product of extensive merino based wool production systems. Natural grassland (veld) or summer growing sub-tropical pastures have formed the basis of the forage system, with dryland winter cereals and root crops often used to supplement the diet. To improve the level of production, a more reliable source of high quality forage needs to be provided to the lactating ewes and to the lambs from birth to slaughter. This need has led to the investigation of possible intensive fat lamb systems based on winter irrigated temperate grasses (particularly annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and clover (Trifolium repens L. var. Ladino and T. pratense L.).
Citation
Tainton, N M.; Bransby, D I.; Hardy, M B.; and du Plessis, T M., "The Potential Role of Temperate Pastures for the Production of Fat Lambs in the Sub Tropics" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 81.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session10/81
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
The Potential Role of Temperate Pastures for the Production of Fat Lambs in the Sub Tropics
In the sub-humi\i (700-1000 mm rainfall p.a.) sub-tropical regions of Southern Africa, fat lambs have traditionally been produced as a by-product of extensive merino based wool production systems. Natural grassland (veld) or summer growing sub-tropical pastures have formed the basis of the forage system, with dryland winter cereals and root crops often used to supplement the diet. To improve the level of production, a more reliable source of high quality forage needs to be provided to the lactating ewes and to the lambs from birth to slaughter. This need has led to the investigation of possible intensive fat lamb systems based on winter irrigated temperate grasses (particularly annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and clover (Trifolium repens L. var. Ladino and T. pratense L.).
