Diet selectivity of sheep at different stocking rates and sampling time under mango orchard
1992
Bejo, M.B.
The diet selectivity, dry matter (DM) intake and nutrient composition of the extrusa of sheep under the mango orchard at different stocking rates and sampling time were studied using three esophageally (EF) fistulated mature sheep. Stocking rate was fixed at 0.8, 1.6 and 2.4 A.U./ha while sampling time was at 0, 15 and 30 days. Extrusa and hand-clipped samples were analyzed for botanical, chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility. Botanical and chemical analyses showed that stocking rate did not significantly affect the selectivity for grasses and forbs by sheep grazing in the orchard. However, as the stocking rate was increased, sheep significantly selected for more forb leaves in an attempt to maintain the level of CP intake resulting in improved in vitro matter digestibility. Comparison between extrusa and hand-clipped samples showed that ingested herbage had higher nutritive values than clipped herbage. Sheep, preferred leaves over stems. However, the botanical composition of both samples was similar indicating that sheep utilized whatever forage was available for grazing. The native vegetation under the mango orchard could support 8-16 herds of sheep/ha. The botanical composition of the sward was maintained and opportunity for regrowth is better because of high amount of residual photosynthesizing organs as indicated by leaf, stem ration and protein content.
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