Nutrition of and feeding strategies for sheep in Asia
1989
Devendra, C. (International Development Research Centre, Tanglin (Singapore). Div. of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Sciences)
This paper reviews the nutrition of sheep in the Asian region. The importance of maximizing dry matter intake (DMI), the significance of digestibility, and the efficiency of utilizing the products of digestion are emphasized in the context of the quantity of net energy available for production. Dietary protein is especially important in promoting DMI, rumen function and improved animal performance. Feeding systems for sheep are similar to that of goats, but differences exist in the feeding behavior and metabolism between the species. Studies on nutrient requirements (energy, protein, and minerals) are very sparse, but the limited data suggest higher efficiency in the utilization of nitrogen by indigenous sheep breeds. Several feeding strategies can be more vigorously pursued, and high priority needs be given to more intensive utilization of available feeds in integrated systems with permanent free cropping (coconut oil, palms, and rubber) and crop residues and agro-industrial by-products including non-conventional feeds in stall feeding systems. These feeding systems need to be identified with increased use of a variety of proteinaceous forages, dietary non-protein nitrogen sources and strategic use of supplements, including minerals. The strategy is to provide adequate nutrients in innovative feeding systems all the year round that can identify predictable performance with economic production. These opportunities present enormous potential for increasing the current level of productivity of sheep in Asia.
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