Legumes, herbs or grass for lamb performance?
Abstract
Lamb performance was evaluated for three
consecutive summer–early autumn periods on
ryegrass (Lolium perenne), white clover (Trifolium
repens), chicory (Cichorium intybus), plantain
(Plantago lanceolata) or lotus (Lotus corniculatus).
Lamb liveweight gains, fasted liveweights at
slaughter and hot carcass weights tended to be
highest on legumes and chicory and lowest on
plantain and ryegrass. Greasy wool weights were
significantly higher on lotus and white clover than
on chicory, plantain and ryegrass. Greasy wool
weight was significantly related to fasted liveweight
(R²=0.94–0.99). Protein (%) in herbage accounted
for 83–92% of the variability in animal performance;
food intake accounted for 57–69% of the
variability and was negatively correlated with
hemicellulose and cellulose (R²=97.2 and 80.9%,
respectively). Thus quality of feed was more
important than intake alone in determining animal
performance.... [Show full abstract]
Keywords
carcass weight; Cichorium intybus; greasy wool weight; intake; lamb performance; Lotus corniculatus; Lolium perenne; Plantago lanceolata; Trifolium repensFields of Research
070202 Animal Growth and Development; 070204 Animal NutritionDate
1996Type
Conference Contribution - publishedCollections
Copyright © The Authors and New Zealand Grassland Association.