Abstract

This paper has the following objectives: i) evaluate which of the two techniques, n-alkanes or faecal crude protein (fCP), and their equations had the highest accuracy in estimating DM intake by sheep; and ii) evaluate which ratio option of n-alkanes (C-31:C-32 or C-33:C-32) was most accurate in estimating sheep DM intake. The experimental design was a randomised complete block with three replicates (paddocks) and repeated measures on time (periods), arranged in a two-level factorial design, with two stocking methods (continuous and rotational) and two grazing intensities (moderate and low). In general, both the fCP and n-alkanes techniques and equations tested are potential to estimate DM intake by sheep grazing Italian ryegrass, however, the equation proposed by Azevedo et al. (2014) and De-Stefani Aguiar et al. (2013) are the most accurate (lower CV), respectively. The n-alkanes ratio C-31:C-32 is the more accurate predictor of DM intake by sheep grazing Italian ryegrass pastures.

Keywords

Digestibility; DM intake; Grazing intensities; Italian ryegrass; Stocking methods

Published in

Biodiversity and Conservation
2018, Volume: 242, pages: 144-149
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

SLU Authors

• Gonda, Horacio

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2018.06.010

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/96190