Abstract Title
Use of a Visual Scoring System to Assess External Udder Conformation in Ewes and the Relationship to Lamb Growth Rates
Additional Funding Sources
The project described was supported by a student grant from the UI Office of Undergraduate Research.
Abstract
Implications of external udder conformation and the relationship to colostrum quality and lamb growth rates have not been widely considered in sheep used for meat production. We hypothesize that a favorable udder conformation will correlate to higher colostrum quality and increased growth rates in lambs. We looked at 50 ewes within 6-8 hours of parturition to evaluate their udders for conformation and sampled colostrum from both halves of the udder. Colostrum was analyzed with a refractometer to measure total proteins to determine overall quality. At day 2, day 45, and day 60 after lambing, lamb weights were recorded, and udder conformation measurements were repeated. This study used a visual scoring system assessing udder floor (1-4; 1= defined halfling, 2= too flat, 3= broken, 4=asymmetric), udder depth (1-9; 1=low udder, 9=shallow udder, 5=hock as a reference point), teat placement (1-9; 1=most medial, 9=most lateral), teat lesions (present or absent), and the presence of wool (present or absent) to assess external udder conformation. Normal udder parameters include udder depth scores of 5 or 6, udder floor score of 1 or 2, teat placement scores 4, 5, and 6, and the absence of teat lesions and wool. All ewes not meeting normal parameters were treated as abnormal. Upon initial evaluation, 22% of ewes displayed ‘normal’ conformation, with average total protein of 14.82±0.58mg/dl, while 78% of the ewes displayed ‘abnormal’ conformation, with an average total protein of 13.31±0.33mg/dl. The data was analyzed using the GLM procedure in SAS with significance declared at P < 0.05. A significant difference (P = 0.0284) was detected in the total proteins between the ewes with a ‘normal’ udder conformation and the ewes with ‘abnormal’ conformation. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was detected between normal and abnormal conformations regarding lamb weights. This data provides evidence of increased total protein values present in ewes with ‘normal’ udder conformation and no difference in lamb weights between udder conformations.
Use of a Visual Scoring System to Assess External Udder Conformation in Ewes and the Relationship to Lamb Growth Rates
Implications of external udder conformation and the relationship to colostrum quality and lamb growth rates have not been widely considered in sheep used for meat production. We hypothesize that a favorable udder conformation will correlate to higher colostrum quality and increased growth rates in lambs. We looked at 50 ewes within 6-8 hours of parturition to evaluate their udders for conformation and sampled colostrum from both halves of the udder. Colostrum was analyzed with a refractometer to measure total proteins to determine overall quality. At day 2, day 45, and day 60 after lambing, lamb weights were recorded, and udder conformation measurements were repeated. This study used a visual scoring system assessing udder floor (1-4; 1= defined halfling, 2= too flat, 3= broken, 4=asymmetric), udder depth (1-9; 1=low udder, 9=shallow udder, 5=hock as a reference point), teat placement (1-9; 1=most medial, 9=most lateral), teat lesions (present or absent), and the presence of wool (present or absent) to assess external udder conformation. Normal udder parameters include udder depth scores of 5 or 6, udder floor score of 1 or 2, teat placement scores 4, 5, and 6, and the absence of teat lesions and wool. All ewes not meeting normal parameters were treated as abnormal. Upon initial evaluation, 22% of ewes displayed ‘normal’ conformation, with average total protein of 14.82±0.58mg/dl, while 78% of the ewes displayed ‘abnormal’ conformation, with an average total protein of 13.31±0.33mg/dl. The data was analyzed using the GLM procedure in SAS with significance declared at P < 0.05. A significant difference (P = 0.0284) was detected in the total proteins between the ewes with a ‘normal’ udder conformation and the ewes with ‘abnormal’ conformation. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was detected between normal and abnormal conformations regarding lamb weights. This data provides evidence of increased total protein values present in ewes with ‘normal’ udder conformation and no difference in lamb weights between udder conformations.