Abstract
The effects of offering ensiled red clover (Trifolium
pratense), lucerne (Medicago sativa), pea (Pisum sativum),
kale (Brassica oleracea) and hybrid ryegrass (Lolium
hybridicum) on the productivity and nutrient-use efficiency
of lambs were investigated. Forages were cut,
wilted for 24 h and ensiled as round bales. A hundred
Suffolk-cross lambs, aged 8 months, were offered grass
silage during a 5-week standardization period and then
group-housed for 14 d and offered ad libitum access to a
treatment silage. For the measurement period, lambs
were split into four replicate groups of five lambs per
treatment. Dry matter intake and live weight were
recorded every 7 d over 56 d. The chemical composition
of the silages differed for all the variables measured.
Lambs offered pea silage had a very low
liveweight gain and this treatment was discontinued
after 21 d. Lambs offered the other forages had a higher
liveweight gain than lambs offered ryegrass silage
(P <0Æ001). Food conversion and nitrogen-use efficiency
were higher in lambs offered the red clover,
lucerne and kale silages compared with those offered
ensiled ryegrass (P <0Æ001). These findings demonstrate
the potential for using ensiled alternative forages
rather than ryegrass to increase the productivity and
nutrient use efficiency of livestock systems
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1-12 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Grass and Forage Science |
Volume | 62 |
Issue number | 1 |
Early online date | 07 Feb 2007 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2007 |
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Dive into the research topics of 'Effects of feeding different ensiled forages on the productivity and nutrient-use efficiency of finishing lambs'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Impacts
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Reducing reliance on imported protein feed within a ruminant supply chain
C. (Researcher), , R. (Researcher), , M. (Researcher), , R. (Researcher) & (Researcher)
Impact: Economy, commerce and organisations, Environment and sustainability - natural world and built environment, Production and food security, Professional practice, training and standards, Public understanding, information and debate
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