Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 September 2010
Due to the wide variation in both the productivity of sheep systems and the quality of the food resources that they utilize, the formulation of successful feeding strategies for individual flocks during pregnancy and lactation is best achieved from a knowledge of how these physiological states affect food digestion and nutrient utilization. This paper reviews recent data on the principles of food digestion and nutrient utilization in the breeding ewe and translates them into practical feeding regimens that take account of forage quality, the amount and quality of the concentrate supplement and the contribution that body and dietary lipids can make to production.