| dc.description.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. | |
