Science

Limited cold stress during pregnancy could lead to increased lamb birth weight, survivability

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 04/11/2026, 13:55:25 UTC.

Briefings

A study from South Dakota State University suggests that reducing cold stress during pregnancy by shearing ewes at day 50 instead of day 100 may increase lamb birth weight and survival rates. This finding challenges traditional management practices for sheep breeding programs.

Key points

• Shearing ewes at day 50 of gestation resulted in larger and heavier lambs compared to shearing at day 100.
• The research indicates a potential link between limited cold exposure during pregnancy and improved lamb outcomes.

Context

This study challenges traditional management practices for sheep breeding programs by suggesting that earlier shearing may improve lamb growth and survival.

Limitations

The evidence is limited to a single study from South Dakota State University. Results may vary across different regions and management systems.

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