Energy and protein are fundamental for animals to maintain critical body functions and achieve production targets for growth, wool production and reproduction.

A dry sheep equivalent (DSE) is a value based on the maintenance energy requirements of a dry, 50 kg Merino wether in CS3.

Dry sheep equivalents (DSE) – adult sheep

Body weight (kg)
50	60

Dry sheep

0.9

1.0

1.2

1.4

Pregnant ewes final month

Single

1.1

1.3

1.4

1.5

Twins

1.3

1.5

1.6

1.7

Lactating ewes

Single

2.1

2.5

2.9

3.3

Twins

2.9

3.4

4.1

4.7

Rams

1.4

1.7

Source: PROGRAZE® and Queensland DPIF, adapted by AWI and MLA

Dry sheep equivalents (DSE) – growing lambs

		Body weight (kg)
Growth (g/day)	20	30	40
50	0.6	0.9	1.0
100	0.8	1.1	1.3
150	1.0	1.3	1.5

Metabolisable energy (ME) and protein requirements of sheep

Dry sheep maintenance requirements
40 kg	50 kg	60 kg

Ewe
(single bearing, mid pregnancy)
50 kg

Ewe
(single bearing, early lactation)
50 kg

Weaner
< 20 kg

Weaner
20–25 kg

Weaner
> 25 kg

MJ ME/hd/day (containment fed)

6.4

7.0

8.0

10.0

15.0

3 - 4

4 - 5

5 - 6

MJ ME/hd/day (grazing)

7.6

8.5

9.7

11.5

17.0

3.4 - 4.5

4.5 - 5.7

5.7 - 6.8

Protein min %

6 – 8

8 - 10

12 - 14

14 - 16

12 - 14

10 - 12

Source: Ruminant Standards of Australia and GrazFeed®.

Note: Ewes carrying twins in late pregnancy and in lactation will have a 15% higher energy requirement than single bearing ewes.

Use these figures when developing feed budgets (see tool 8.3 in MMFS Module 8 Turn Pasture into Product). View tables showing examples to fit the season and pasture type at https://www.lifetimewool.com.au/toolsmgt.html

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MMFS Manual

Module 1 Plan for Success Module 2 Market Focused Wool Production Module 3 Market focused lamb and sheepmeat production Module 4 Capable and Confident People Module 5 Protect Your Farm’s Natural Assets Module 6 Healthy Soils Module 7 Grow More Pasture Module 8 Turn Pasture into Product Module 9 Boost Business with Breeding Module 10 Wean More Lambs Module 11 Healthy and Contented Sheep Module 12 Efficient Pastoral Production

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