scholarly journals Effect of Sward Height on Rumen Degradation in Merino Grazing Sheep

1993 ◽  
Vol 1993 ◽  
pp. 180-180
Author(s):  
A.R. Mantecón ◽  
M.D. Carro ◽  
F.J. Giráldez ◽  
M.J. Ranilla ◽  
P.R. Revesado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Rumen Fermentation ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Rumen Degradation ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Grazing Sheep

It is now well established that the height of the sward grazed by sheep has a large effect on their performance (Hodgson, Mackie and Parker, 1986). However, there is a scarce of information about the rumen fermentation in sheep grazing at different sward heights. The aim of this experiment was to study the effect of sward height (4 vs 6 cm) on the rumen fermentation in Merino sheep which were continuously maintained on the pasture.The study was carried out on a continuously stocked pasture in August 1992. Twenty mature Merino sheep were used to obtain two different sward heights: 4 cm (low; LSH) and 6 cm (high; HSH). Sward height was measured twice weekly using a swardstick and was controlled by the addition and removal of sheep. Herbage mass was of 633 and 1397 kg of dry matter (DM)/Ha for the LSH and HSH paddocks, respectively.

Influence of sward height and advancing season on rumen fermentation in Merino sheep grazing grass/white clover pasture

1999 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 779-788 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.D. Carro ◽  
M.J. Ranilla ◽  
F.J. Giráldez ◽  
A.R. Mantecón ◽  
J.S. González
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Ammonia Nitrogen ◽  
Rumen Fermentation ◽  
Cellulolytic Activity ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Grass Hay ◽  
Grazing Sheep ◽  
Clover Pasture

AbstractThe study was carried out on a continuously stocked grass/white clover pasture, which was maintained at two sward heights: 3·5 cm (low; LSH) and 6·5 cm (high; HSH). Three oesophageal-cannulated and three other rumen-cannulated Merino sheep were allocated to each of the plots (LSH and HSH) in order to study the effects of sward height and advancing grazing season on rumen fermentation in grazing sheep. Three grazing periods (13 days) were considered: mid June, late July and early October. During each grazing period and after a preliminary period (7 days), samples of the grazed herbage and of grass hay were incubated in nylon bags in the rumen of each sheep for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. On days 10 and 12 rumen fluid was sampled at the incubation time (11.00 h) and at 3, 6 and 12 h afterwards and pH, ammonia-nitrogen and volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentrations were determined. Sward height did not affect (P > 0·05) the degradation rate of dry matter (DM) and neutral-detergent fibre (NDF) from grazed herbage in any of the considered periods. Animals grazing LSH presented higher (P < 0·05) DM and NDF effective degradabilities (DMED and NDFED, respectively) during October but no differences were found during June and July. HSH grazing animals presented lower (P < 0·05) degradation rates of DM and NDF from grass hay during June and July than those found for LSH grazing sheep, with no differences (P > 0·05) observed during October. Sward height did not affect (P > 0·05) grass hay DMED and NDFED during July but during June and October HSH grazing sheep presented higher (P < 0·05) values. In general, DMED and NDFED from grazed herbage increased with advancing season, the lowest (P < 0·05) value being observed during June. Rumen ammonia-nitrogen concentrations were higher during October than during June and July for both sward heights but values were higher than 200 mg/l at any sampling time during all grazing seasons. Rumen pH values were within the range considered adequate for maintaining a normal cellulolytic activity at most of the sampling times, with the exception of sheep grazing LSH during October. Rumen VFA concentrations were within the range reported for other grazing studies and only a few differences between sward heights were found. Differences in rumen parameters are discussed in relation to both chemical composition of grazed herbage and pattern of intake.

scholarly journals Effect of sheep grazing on mineral matter content of steppe stands in national nature reserve Mohelská serpentinite steppe

2005 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 159-168
Author(s):  
Pavel Veselý
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Mineral Matter ◽  
Serpentine Soils ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
National Nature Reserve ◽  
Pasture Area ◽  
Vegetative Season

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of sheep pasture on the content of minerals in growth of the Mohelenska Serpentine Steppe National Nature Reserve.Merino sheep pastured on the steppe in 1997–1998, electrical fencer was used. There were 6.8–9.4 sheep per 1 ha in 1997 and 6.7–8.7 sheep per 1 ha in 1998 on the pasture area 4.25 and 6 ha. Samples of steppe growth were taken from five locations with typical fytocenological composition for particular area of steppe. Samples were taken each two weeks during vegetative season from area 3x1 m2. The contents of Ca, P, Na, K, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu and Fe in dry matter were evaluated. The changes in the content of the nutrients were evaluated depending on the location before, after and during pasture. The values of nutrients were compared with content of these nutrients in meadow and pasture growths (noted in European databases).The content of Ca was from 2.23 to 4.06 g/kg of dry matter. Pasture decreased the variability of location in Ca content and there were significant decreases of Ca content on two locations (P < 0.01). Low content of Ca in steppe growth due to pasture significantly decreased on these locations in comparison with Ca content in pasture growth on no-serpentine soil. The content of P was from 2.23 to 4.06 g/kg of dry matter. Pasture did not affect the variability of location and on one location pasture significantly increased its content (P < 0.01). Despite it the content of P in dry matter was markedly lower than in pasture growths.The content of Na was from 43.88 to 113.97 mg/kg of dry matter. Pasture did not affect the variability of location and its content. The content of Na was markedly lower in steppe growth in comparison with pasture growths. Pasture also did not affect the content of K, which was from 9.96 to 18.10 g/kg of dry matter. But pasture increased the variability of location. The content of K in steppe growth was low in comparison with pasture growths. The content of Mg was from 2.14 to 4.64 g/kg of dry matter. On two locations the content of Mg increased due to pasture (P < 0.05). The content of Mg in steppe growth was comparable with its content in pasture growths. The content of Mn was from 27.55 to 41.32 mg/kg of dry matter and the content of Zn from 12.05 to 26.64 mg/kg of dry matter. Pasture increased the variability of location in both these nutrients. The effect of the pasture on their contents was not (P < 0.05). In steppe growth the content of Mn was markedly lower in comparison with pasture growths and the content of Zn was lower in comparison with pasture growths. The contents of Cu and Fe were from 1.81 to 5.94 mg/kg of dry matter and from 76.1 to 263.2 mg/kg of dry matter. Pasture increased variability of location in the content of Cu and decreased its content in three locations (P < 0.05). The content of Fe was not affected by pasture (P < 0.05). The contents of Cu and Fe were lower in comparison with pasture growths on no-serpentine soils.

Evaluation of the use of a small leaved clover as an alternative to fertiliser-N on tetraploid and diploid perennial ryegrass swards grazed to controlled sward heights by ewes and lambs

1990 ◽  
Vol 1990 ◽  
pp. 33-33
Author(s):  
J.E. Vipond ◽  
G. Swift ◽  
J. FitzSimons ◽  
T.H. McClelland ◽  
J.A. Milne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Dry Matter Production ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Nitrogen Fertiliser ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Upland Pasture

Lamb performance at grass falls in July/August on upland farms. Allowing sward height to rise has been recognised as having an ameliorating effect [Keeling, 1987). The objective of this trial was to determine the influence of both sward quantity (sward height) and sward quality [sward type) on ewe and lamb performance from mid April to September. A further objective was the evaluation of clover as an alternative to nitrogen fertiliser.Three contrasting perennial ryegrass based swards were established in May 1987 for use in 1988 and 1989: a late heading diploid variety (D). CONTENDER and a late heading tetraploid variety [T) CONDESA sown alone or with S184 small leaved white clover [TO]. [D] swards represent the control being the normal upland pasture type. [T] companion ryegrass varieties have higher palatability and intake characteristics and, producing fewer tillers, are a compatible companion grass to white clover. Small leaved white clover was used owing to its higher persistency and dry matter production under continuous sheep grazing.

scholarly journals Indigestible dry matter as internal marker to estimate digestibility in grazing sheep

1995 ◽  
Vol 1995 ◽  
pp. 122-122
Author(s):  
M. D. Villalbal ◽  
T. Castro ◽  
A.R. Mantecón ◽  
T. Manso ◽  
M. Riesgo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Sampling Period ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Grazing Sheep ◽  
Internal Marker

The use of Indigestible Dry Matter (IDM) has been proposed to be used as internal marker to estimate digestibility (Milne, 1977, Kotb and Luckey, 1972), but information of reliability of this marker is limited.The aim of this experiment was to study the effect of sward height and sampling period on Dry-Matter Digestibility of pasture (DMD), using IDM as internal marker.

scholarly journals Indigestible dry matter as internal marker to estimate digestibility in grazing sheep

1995 ◽  
Vol 1995 ◽  
pp. 122-122
Author(s):  
M. D. Villalbal ◽  
T. Castro ◽  
A.R. Mantecón ◽  
T. Manso ◽  
M. Riesgo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Sampling Period ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Grazing Sheep ◽  
Internal Marker

The use of Indigestible Dry Matter (IDM) has been proposed to be used as internal marker to estimate digestibility (Milne, 1977, Kotb and Luckey, 1972), but information of reliability of this marker is limited.The aim of this experiment was to study the effect of sward height and sampling period on Dry-Matter Digestibility of pasture (DMD), using IDM as internal marker.

Efficiency of wool production of grazing sheep. 3. The use of sulphur-containing amino acids to stimulate wool growth

1970 ◽  
Vol 10 (47) ◽  
pp. 665 ◽  
Author(s):  
JP Langlands
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Peritoneal Cavity ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Grazing Sheep ◽  
Native Pastures

Merino sheep grazing native and improved pastures were given up to 2.2 g DL-methionine each day through an abomasal cannula. Wool growth of sheep grazing improved and native pastures was increased significantly by up to 30 and 41 per cent respectively. Nine sheep with abomasal camulae were maintained in pens, and were infused into the abomasum with 7 g DL-methionine per week given on either one, two, or seven days each week. Wool growth was significantly increased by daily infusions of DL-methionine but the response was less when the methionine was given on only one or two days each week. Dorset Horn wethers were given single injections of up to 50 g DL-methionine or L-cystine subcutaneously or into the peritoneal cavity. The rate of excretion of urinary sulphur was recorded following the injection. DL-methionine was rapidly excreted but L-cystine was excreted more slowly. In a series of trials quantities of DL-methionine, methionine hydroxy analogue (MHA) or L-cystine were injected subcutaneously or intra-peritoneally into grazing Merino sheep. DL-methionine did not increase wool growth and MHA was toxic. Twenty-eight g L-cystine given as two compressed pellets each month into the peritoneal cavity increased wool growth by approximately 22 per cent over the 8-week experim6ntal period.

Rumen degradation of straw 4. Selection and degradation of morphological components of barley straw by sheep

1988 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. K. Bhargava ◽  
E. R. Ørskov ◽  
T. K. Walli
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Blade ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Leaf Sheath ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Barley Straw ◽  
Rumen Degradation ◽  
Whole Plant ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
The Mathematical Model ◽  
Selection Of

AbstractExperiments were made to study the proportion, chemical composition, and rumen degradability of the morphological components of barley straw (Corgi variety) and to study the selection of these components by sheep. The proportions in the harvested straw dry matter (DM) as leaf blade, leaf sheath, stem and chaff were 128, 314, 500 and 58 g/kg DM, respectively. The different components of straw on analysis proved to have very different concentrations of nitrogen and neutral-detergent cellulase digestibility. The leaf blades had the highest and the stems the lowest values. The degradabilities of DM in the components and in the whole straw were determined by measuring DM loss from samples incubated in nylon bags for various periods in the rumen of sheep. Responses were measured using the mathematical model p = a+b (1–e−ct) where p is DM loss, (a+b) potential degradability, c the rate constant of DM loss and t is the time of incubation. DM losses decreased in the order leaf blades > leaf sheath > whole plant > chaff > stems. Leaf blades also had the highest potential degradability and rate of degradation.In another trial, five sheep were offered unchopped barley straw ad libitum. There were five treatment periods in which sheep were allowed to leave uneaten proportionately 0·2, 0·3, 0·4, 0·5 and 0·7 of the straw on offer for assessing the animal's selection of the morphological components of that straw. The amount of leaf blade in the material consumed increased in largely a linear (P < 0·01) fashion with the amount of excess allowance. The proportion of stem eaten varied conversely. The selection of leaf sheath was less apparent. Little stem was consumed until the proportion of leaf blade in the food available decreased below proportionately 0·4. The practical significance of the study is discussed.

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