New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts

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Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) pasture for sheep. 2. Production and nutritional status of ewes with or without lupin (Lupinus albus) supplementation

T. S. BRAND
F. FRANCK

Elsenburg Agricultural Research Centre
Private Bag X1
Elsenburg 7607, South Africa

J. COETZEE

University of Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa

Abstract  Kikuyu pasture was grazed continuously for 12 months by 20 dry and 40 producing South African Mutton Merino (SAMM) and Merino ewes at a stocking density of 23 ewes ha^-1. Supplementary sweet lupin seed was supplied to one group of producing ewes of each breed during pregnancy and lactation at a rate of 0.5% of the liveweights of the ewes. Rumen fluid samples for the determination of pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA), and ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) were collected from rumen-fistulated wethers corresponding to the periods of late pregnancy and early lactation of ewes. Rumen NH3N concentrations (8.7 mg 100 ml^-1 and 5.4 mg 100 ml^-1) were low during both periods of sampling. Rumen VFA concentrations (12.3 mmol 100 ml^-1 and 9.2 mmol 100 ml^-1) were within normal ranges. Supplementation significantly increased blood urea concentration of ewes. Supplemented ewes lost less weight than the unsupplemented ewes (P <= 0.02) during the experimental period. Pregnancy (P <= 0.001) as well as lactation (P <= 0.0001) reduced greasy wool production. Supplementation increased birthweight of lambs by 21% (P <= 0.0007). Rumen parameters indicated no severe deficiency in either protein or energy intake. A lack of response in wool and lamb growth due to lupin supplementation was primarily ascribed to a high CP degradability of lupin seed. Production of the different breeds was in accordance with their respective genetic potential.

Keywords  kikuyu; lupins; rumen parameters; sheep; supplementary feed

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 1999, Vol. 42: 467-474

0028-8233/99/4204-0467 $7.00/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand 1999

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (621K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

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