Utilisation of sown pasture for production of heavy lamb carcasses in Greece

Α study was carried out to assess the possibility of using a grazing sward, on land normally used for cotton cultiνation, in order to extend the lamb marketing period and reduce production costs. Α ryegrass/clover mixture, sown in September, was ready for grazing by I March. Male lambs of the Boutsko (Β), Seπes (S) and Karagouniko (Κ) breeds (36 per breed) were weaned at 42 days and group fed indoors for 63 days, at 3 concentrate levels high (Η), medium (Μ) and low (L) and hay at libitum to create differences in liveweight, within breed, at turn-out to pasture. Lambs were allocated for slaughter at 48 or 55% of estimated mature weight (MW). During the grazing period there was no effect of previous nutrition on daily liveweight gain (DL WG) in the Boutsko breed. In both S and Κ breeds, DLWG on pasture was significantly effected by previous feed level. The carcass quality of 48% MW lambs was higher than that of 55% MW. Sward height was maintained at 6,9 ± 0,25 cm until the end of the grazing season in ealry October with succesive replacement of lambs. The mean growth rate of pasture throughout the grazing period was maintained at 4.9 ± 0.52 Kg DM/stremma/day. Clover content in pasture was increased progressively with temperature increase. The results suggest that grazing on sown pasture may be an effective method of finishing two crops of these small lambs throughout the season to produce heavier (> 13 Kg) than traditionally carcasses. When pasture is not grazed by lambs, it can be used for grazing by adult sheep.