Observational study on a novel management system involving 10 lambings per year in one high-yield dairy ewe farm

Abstract

Objectives: In order to reduce non-productive days in dairy ewe production, the “accelerated sheep mating systems” can be used. One example is the STAR system, which involves up to 5 lambings/ewe in 3 years (1.2 to 1.4 lambing/ewe/year) through 5 successive annual breeding and lambing seasons (5LY). Despite its feasibility, a major disadvantage to this system is an irregular distribution of the workload throughout the year. For instance, the farm staff capacity is easily overwhelmed during the lambings periods, resulting in a deficient care of the newborns. In an attempt to distribute the workload more evenly, a high-yielding Lacaune farm transitioned from the 5LY system to a novel one consisting on 10 lambing periods per year (10LY). The present study examines the efficiency, productivity and workload concentration in this farm under both systems. Its goal was to determine the effects of a more intensive management system on the farm’s productivity, animal welfare and workload distribution. Material and methods: This observational study was performed in a high-yielding Lacaune dairy ewe farm (“Granja Cerromonte”, Spain). The 5LY system was performed from 2010 to 2012, and the 10LY system from 2014 to 2015. Years 2009 and 2013 were considered transition years. During this period, 27,415 lactations were recorded from an average of 3,746 ewes/year. Results: Daily production (1.70 ± 0.62 l/d vs 1.73 ± 1.66; P = 0.038), interlambing period (302 ± 44 vs 283 ± 50 d; P < 0.0001) and lambings/ewe/year (1.30 ± 0.01 vs1.42 ± 0.01; P < 0.05) slightly worsened in the 10LY system compared to the 5LY one. In contrast, milk yield/lactation (370 ± 156 vs. 349 ± 185 L), lactation length (218±75 vs 192 ± 75 d) and dry period length (53.5 ± 38.3 vs 69.1 ± 34.8 d) (all P < 0.0001) were better in the 10LY system. Most importantly, the workload distribution improved by the 10LY system implementation. During 2010–2012, an average of 889.19 ± 158.47 lambings/lambing period (range, 664 to 1 291) was recorded, resulting in an average of 1,502.73 ± 267.82 live newborn lambs/lambing period and 20.80±18.73 lambings/day (range, 1 to 110). There were 500.6 lambs and 296.6 lambings per worker during lambings periods. Extra work hours were necessary at peak lambings/ day. However, during 2014–2015, an average of 443.66 ± 253.18 lambings/lambing period (range, 85 to 937) was recorded, resulting in 709.85 ± 405.10 live newborn lambs/lambing period and 15.16±7.83 lambings/day (range, 1 to 51). There were 354.5 lambs and 221.5 lambings per worker during lambing periods. Since the lambing and lamb related workload was better distributed in the 10LY-period, the workload/worker fell by 50%, needing only two workers/lambing season to take care of the lambings and lamb pens in the 10LY system (354.5 lambs and 221.5 lambing per worker), compared to the three necessary in the 5LY one (500.6 lambs and 296.6 lambing per worker). Further, culling rate decreased (35.39 ± 0.53 vs 42.51 ± 7.51 % P=0.294) and higher-order lactations increased (24.17 vs 16,08%, P<0.0001) which could be the result of better ewe and lamb management. Another possible benefit could be the increase in the worker’s welfare, since the workload does not concentrate so drastically in certain days. Conclusions: Our study suggests that a 10LY herd management system can be compatible with good profitability and productivity and, more importantly, better animal welfare due to lack of animal overcrowding and better care of lambs and ewes during lambing. Furthermore, it could also mean better working conditions for the farm staff, since the workload is more uniformly distributed throughout the year.