Performance of sheep grazing Panicum maximum cv. Massai and supplemented with protein sources during the dry season

The low quality of tropical grasses in the dry season justifies the use of dietary supplements to meet the nutritional needs of sheep. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation with high-protein feed on mutton sheep performance and yield in Massai grass pastures during the dry season. The treatments corresponded to four supplements, namely Leucaena leucocephala leaf hay, Gliricidia sepium leaf hay, soybean meal, and a treatment that received only multiple mixture (protein salt) ad libitum. The pasture was evaluated for canopy height, forage supply, and chemical composition of leaf blade, stem and dead material. Average daily gain, weight gain per area, and the stocking rate were also evaluated. There were four grazing cycles because the grazing method was rotational stocking with seven days of occupation and 35 days of rest. The interaction between supplements and grazing cycles was not significant, and no effects of the supplements were found for any of the variables. The highest forage and leaf blade offerings were observed in the first grazing cycle. The highest levels of crude protein and lower neutral detergent fibre and lignin of pasture components were observed in cycles 3 and 4. The highest average daily gains per animal and per area were observed in cycles 1 and 2. Protein supplementation of sheep in Massai grass pastures promotes satisfactory gains during the dry season, and Leucaena and Gliricidia hays can be used as protein sources instead of soybean meal. Keywords: Gliricidia sepium, leguminous, Leucaena leucocephala, pastur

Forage quality and performance of sheep in Massai grass pastures managed at pre-grazing canopy heights

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of pasture height at pre-grazing of Massai grass on the quality of available forage, forage intake and the performance of lambs raised for meat production. The treatments consisted of four pre-grazing canopy heights (35, 40, 45 and 50 cm). Pastures were managed by the intermittent stocking method and 32 sheep were used. Dry matter intake (DMI) was estimated by Lipe® indicator. Green forage allowance was not affected by pre-grazing heights. There was no effect of heights on the chemical composition of the stem or the leaf blades, except for crude protein content of leaf blades, which showed an inverse linear effect. Grazing time had a quadratic response in function of canopy height. The minimum point was at 42.6 cm, with 502.9 min/day. DMI increased linearly with increasing pasture height. Average daily weight gain (ADG) and stocking rate (SR) responded linearly to pre-grazing heights. Weight gain per hectare was not affected by height as a result of the compensation between SR and ADG. The increase from 35 to 50 cm in Massai grass canopy height reduces its nutritional value and individual performance and increases DMI of sheep intended for meat production.Keywords: Panicum maximum, tropical pasture, voluntary intak

Consumo de nutrientes, comportamento ingestivo e desempenho de ovinos alimentados com fenos de gramíneas tropicais em diferentes intervalos entre cortes

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito dos fenos de andropogon, buffel e massai em diferentes intervalos de cortes sob consumo, comportamento ingestivo e o desempenho de ovinos. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente ao acaso. Os tratamentos foram arranjados em fatorial 3x4 (andropogon, buffel e massai x intervalos entre corte de 21, 35, 49 e 63 dias). A interação entre as gramíneas e os intervalos não foi significativa para nenhuma das variáveis estudadas. Os maiores consumos de matéria seca, proteína bruta, fibra em detergente neutro e lignina ocorreram com uso do feno de massai, 3,62; 0,48; 2,03 e 0,22% do peso vivo, respectivamente. Aos 63 dias de intervalo, foram observados os maiores consumos de lignina e os menores de proteína bruta, 0,20 e 0,42%, respectivamente. O menor ganho médio diário (121,1g/dia) e o menor peso final (17,6kg) foram dos animais alimentados com buffel. Não houve diferença para o tempo de alimentação e o ócio, com tempo médio despendido de 4,5 e 11,7h/dia, respectivamente. Os fenos de massai e andropogon promovem maior consumo de matéria seca e maior desempenho de ovinos em confinamento, enquanto o intervalo entre corte até 63 dias não modifica essas respostas

Nutrient intake, feeding behavior and performance of sheep fed hay of tropical grasses at different cutting intervals

<p></p><p>ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Andropogon, Buffel and Massai on different intervals cuts of intake, ingestion behavior and sheep performance. The experimental design was completely randomized. The treatments were arranged in 3x4 factorial (Andropogon, Buffel and Massai x cut intervals of 21, 35, 49 and 63 days). The interaction between the grasses and the intervals was not significant for any of the studied variables. The highest intakes of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and lignin were for Massai hay, 3.62; 0.48; 2.03 and 0.22% of the live weight, respectively. At 63 days interval, the highest consumption of lignin and lowest crude protein, 0.20 and 0.42%, respectively, were observed. The lowest daily gain (121.1g/day) and final weight gain (17,6kg) were of Buffel fed animals. There was no difference in feeding time and time, with mean time removed from 4.5 and 11.7h day-1, respectively. Hays of Massai and Andropogon promote greater dry matter intake and performance of sheep in confinement, while the cut intervals up to 63 days does not modify these responses.</p><p></p