Growth response of purebred Merino and crossbred prime lambs supplemented with canola and flaxseed oils

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of flaxseed and canola oil supplementation on the growth of genetically divergent prime lambs. Seventy-two weaned lambs from Corriedale sires mated to Merino dams (CxM), White Suffolk sires mated to Corriedale dams (WxC) and purebred Merino (MxM) were randomly distributed into six treatment groups. Each group were fed daily with 1 kg pellets per lamb supplemented with either flaxseed or canola oil at 50ml/kg (high), 25ml/kg (low) oil levels and no oil (control) . Lambs had daily ad libitum access to lucerne hay and water over a ten-week period. Results demonstrated that while gender had an inconsequential impact, significant differences in average daily weight gain (ADG) were attributable to oil supplementation. Furthermore, the appropriate level of these oils should be 50ml/kg over a ten-week supplementation. Lamb breed exerted the most significant impact on liveweight and body condition score with WxC lambs eliciting the best growth performance in this study.