Executive summary

Once a flock is established, most producers choose to generate their own replacement females by retaining ewe lambs.

Replacement ewe lambs are often raised in the same feedlot rearing systems as market lambs. Although this strategy is simple to manage, it is not ideal. Separating potential replacement ewe lambs and feeding them to optimize frame growth as well as rumen and mammary development may lower feed costs and increase the productivity of the ewe flock.

This fact sheet describes challenges associated with feedlot rearing of ewe lambs and reviews principles of ewe lamb nutrition to assist in developing a nutritional program for replacement ewe lambs.

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