Influence of watering frequency on nutritional characteristics of cattle in Southeastern Kenya.

Abstract

The effect of watering frequency on forage consumption, water intake and performance of Zebu-type steers was investigated under three treatments of daily watering (1/1) and two intermittent waterings __ once in two days (1/2) and once in three days (1/3). The study was carried out at a southeastern Kenyan rangeland dominated by Commiphora and allied shrubby genera, and perennial grasses such as Sporobolus pelucidus, Digitaria macroblephara and annual grasses, such as Eragrostis spp. Botanical and chemical composition of the diet selected by steers was determined from esophageal masticate samples. Forage consumption was estimated from total fecal collection and diet indigestibility. In addition, Ytterbium (Yb), a particulate phase marker dosed daily, was also used to estimate fecal output and intake for comparison with the total fecal collection. Steers were watered once in the evenings in metered 210 liter barrels. All steers were weighed approximately every two weeks. The study covered 159 days, which included four phenological stages of forage development: late maturity (March), growing stage (April), early maturity (June) and early dormancy (July). Total herbage production showed that there was sufficient forage for the steers throughout the study. Digestible organic matter (DOM) , crude protein (CP) amd digestible energy (DE) intake were highest (P<O.Ol) in April when forage was growing and decreased as forage advanced in maturity. Compared to daily watering, intermittent watering reduced (P<O.Ol) dry matter, DOM, NDF, CP and DE intake of steers drinking both (1/2) and (1/3). In March and April, intermittent watering reduced (P<O.Ol) free water consumption by 47-49% for steers watering (1/2) and 57-61% for steers watering (1/3) relative to the daily watering group. Steer performance was not influenced by watering frequency. Steers showed a faster growth rate (P<O.Ol) when forage was growing in April than the rest of the sampling periods. Fecal output and forage consumption estimated by total collection method and Yb excretion procedure showed that the Yb excretion procedure overestimated forage intake. Composition of the diet selected by steers was determined from esophageal masticate samples. Forage consumption was estimated from total fecal collection and diet indigestibility. In addition, Ytterbium (Yb), a particulate phase marker dosed daily, was also used to estimate fecal output and intake for comparison with the total fecal collection. Steers were watered once in the evenings in metered 210 liter barrels. All steers were weighed approximately every two weeks. The study covered 159 days, which included four phenological stages of forage development: late maturity (March), growing stage (April), early maturity (June) and early dormancy (July). Total herbage production showed that there was sufficient forage for the steers throughout the study. Digestible organic matter (DOM) , crude protein (CP) amd digestible energy (DE) intake were highest (P<O.Ol) in April when forage was growing and decreased as forage advanced in maturity. Compared to daily watering, intermittent watering reduced (P<O.Ol) dry matter, DOM, NDF, CP and DE intake of steers drinking both (1/2) and (1/3). In March and April, intermittent watering reduced (P<O.Ol) free water consumption by 47-49% for steers watering (1/2) and 57-61% for steers watering (1/3) relative to the daily watering group. Steer performance was not influenced by watering frequency. Steers showed a faster growth rate (P<O.Ol) when forage was growing in April than the rest of the sampling periods. Fecal output and forage consumption estimated by total collection method and Yb excretion procedure showed that the Yb excretion procedure overestimated forage intake