The "OPAL" project aims to assess the impact of supplementing pregnant ewes with local aromatic plants with high antioxidant capacity. The objective is to analyse the effects of this supplementation on the health of both ewes and suckling lambs, particularly regarding oxidative stress, which plays a critical role during pregnancy and the early weeks of the lambs' lives.
The project combines laboratory analyses to evaluate the animals' antioxidant status with on-farm trials to observe the physiological and zootechnical effects of this supplementation. Analyses of meat and milk quality will complete the study. This research will contribute to a better understanding of the potential benefits of aromatic plants for improving sheep health and resilience.
Project manager
FiBL is responsible for project coordination, planning and realisation of the experimental work and for knowledge transfer.
