Differences in maternal body weight (12-15 kg) were induced in two groups (n = 43-50) of ewes during pregnancy by controlled allowance of pasture. Following parturition equal numbers (9-12) were allocated to one of three herbage allowances in a 2 x 3 factorial design during 42 days of lactation. This design was employed on two occasions; in one (Expt 1) the sheep were machine-milked twice daily, in the second (Expt 2) they each suckled two lambs. Balances of Ca and P in the body were determined by comparative slaughter during early pregnancy, at parturition and after 42 days of lactation. Herbage Ca intake and milk Ca output were determined on a weekly basis.Mean daily milk production during the 42 days of lactation ranged from 1-48 to 2-68 kg/day amongst treatment groups. The general trend, irrespective of level of milk production, was for negative Ca balances, ranging from 0-71 to 1-42 g Ca/day. It is argued that variation in apparent absorbability (0-17-0-46) and in rate of absorption (30-113 mg/kg W per day) of Ca among groups suggest that these factors are not in themselves responsible for the poor Ca balances observed.It is suggested that demand for Ca from the diet during early lactation is reduced as a consequence of bone Ca resorption due to matrix osteoporosis resulting from a protein deficiency state. Negative Ca balances in sheep undernourished during pregnancy were similarly attributed to poor protein balances.Although negative P balances were observed these were not attributed to low P intake.energy and protein balances of lactating sheep at pasture. The opportunity was therefore taken to The data on which the Agricultural Research determine Ca and P balances and these, together Council (1980) based their estimates of Ca require-with estimated of rates of Ca absorption, are prement and the most extensive series of kinetic sented here, studies of Ca metabolism in lactating sheep (Braithwaite & Glascock, 1976;Braithwaite, 1983) MATERIALS AND METHODS were derived from experiments in which conserved, mixed roughage-concentrate diets were used.The sheep and their management were described Whether these data can be adapted to lactating in detail by Geenty & Sykes (1986). Briefly, mixed sheep at pasture does not appear to have been age Dorset sheep were used in two experiments, assessed. There is evidence from ewes grazing hill In Expt 1 two groups (n = 43 and 45) were formed pastures during summer that skeletal remineral-during early pregnancy; they were offered herbage ization following lactation may be slow (Sykes, Field (ryegrass-white clover) ad libitum (HP) or in reft Gunn, 19746) despite adequate Ca and P intake, stricted amounts (LP) in order to achieve differMoreover, the early studies of Ewer & Bartrum ences in maternal body weight between groups, (1957) described poor skeletal mineralization in post-partum, of 12-15 kg. The lambs were then sheep consuming herbages which Grant & O'Hara removed and 9-12 sheep allocated from within each (1957) attributed to high vitamin A and low vitamin group to o...