Herbage intake and grazing behaviour in ewes of four breeds at different physiological states

1975 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1017 ◽  
Author(s):  
GW Arnold
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Four Levels ◽  
Grazing Behaviour

The digestible organic matter intakes (DOMI) of dry, pregnant, and lactating Border Leicester x Merino, Merino, Corriedale and Dorset Horn ewes of similar age were estimated when they were grazing Phalaris tuberosa –Trifolium subterraneum pastures at four levels of pasture availability. Both total DOMI and DOMI per unit liveweight differed significantly between breeds, reproductive states and pasture levels. No interactions were detected. In absolute terms the intake of 140 Corriedales = 121 Merinos = 116 Border Leicester x Merinos = 100 Dorset Horns. In terms of intake per unit liveweight Corriedales and Border Leicester x Merinos ate less than Merinos and Dorset Horns. DOMI was greater in pregnant or lactating than in dry ewes; it also increased at higher levels of available pasture. Different intakes were achieved by variation in grazing times and/or rates of intake. The ewes of all breeds responded in the same way.

Food intake and grazing behaviour of sheep varying in body condition

1977 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. Arnold ◽  
H. A. Birrell
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Under Nutrition ◽  
Mean Temperature ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Relative Differences ◽  
Grazing Behaviour

SUMMARYHerbage intake and grazing times were measured in four experiments in which adult sheep grazed short and long pastures. The digestible organic matter (DOM) intake of adult wooled Merino and Corriedale wethers was higher, both absolutely and per kg live weight, when they were lower in live weight due to prior under-nutrition. The relative differences were similar on both abundant and scant pasture and were proportional to the relative differences in live weight. The higher intakes were achieved by differences in the time spent grazing and in the rate of intake per hour of grazing. DOM intake of shorn sheep was increased by up to 44% per kg live weight within 5 weeks of shearing in two experiments when the mean temperature was 8°C but no increase in DOM intake was observed in four other experiments when the mean temperature was 11°C. Shorn sheep achieved higher intakes on both abundant and scant pastures by increasing intake per hour of grazing.

The effect of winter feeding level on subsequent grazing behaviour and herbage intake of Charolais heifers

1995 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Ferrer Cazcarra ◽  
M. Petit
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Feeding Level ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Compensatory Gain ◽  
Winter Diets ◽  
Effect Of Feeding ◽  
Grazing Behaviour

AbstractTwo groups of eight Charolais heifers were used to examine the effect of feeding level during the post-weaning winter on the grazing behaviour and herbage intake over three periods during the first 2 months of grazing. The winter diets (L and H) were given to achieve a mean difference of 50 kg between groups at turn-out. The heifers were set-stocked together on a hill pasture where sward height was maintained at 12 cm.The winter live-weight gains were 0·31 and 0·70 (s.e. 0·032) kg/day for L and H heifers respectively, and spring gains 1·94 and 1·66 (s.e. 0·082) kg/day respectively. Intakes increased throughout the spring grazing for both groups. Absolute intakes were lower for L than for H heifers only during the first period (P < 0·05). Intake per kg live weight was higher in L than in H heifers (23·0 v. 21·1 (s.e. 0·54) g organic matter (OM) per kg live weight). Bite weights of H heifers were constant throughout (434, (s.e. 12·9) mg OM), while bite weights ofL heifers only reached those of H heifers in the last period. Bite weight was linearly related to live weight. Bite rates were not different between groups, but L heifers compensated for lower bite weight by grazing longer and they increased their grazing time after turn-out faster than H heifers. Grazing time was mainly responsible for higher relative intakes in L heifers, and thus, partly, for compensatory gain observed.

Effect of body condition and pasture type on herbage intake, performance during lactation and subsequent ovulation rate in Scottish Blackface ewes

1981 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Doney ◽  
R. G. Gunn ◽  
J. N. Peart ◽  
W. F. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Daily Milk Yield ◽  
Daily Milk

ABSTRACTScottish Blackface ewes in uniform, good, body condition at mating were differentially fed during pregnancy, such that two groups lost 0·15 to 0·20 (groups A and B) and one group gained 0·05 (group C) of maternal live weight by lambing time. The treatments had little effect on the number of lambs born per ewe lambing (1·39, 1·46 and 148 respectively).Prior to parturition, group A was transferred to a poor hill pasture, and groups B and C to an improved upland reseeded pasture. Herbage intake by six single- and six twin-suckling ewes from each group was estimated in the 3rd, 6th and 8th week after parturition, and mean daily milk production was estimated on 1 day following each intake measurement period. Herbage intake by six dry ewes in each of groups A and B was also estimated.There were significant differences amongst groups A, B and C, respectively, in mean organic matter digestibility of the herbage consumed (0·701, 0·771 and 0·773), mean daily digestible organic-matter intake (1·06, 1·46 and 1·46kg), mean live-weight change over the period ( –2·9, +5·4 and +l·3kg) and mean daily milk yield (0·64, 1·93 and 1·95 kg).By the following mating time, after grazing the same pasture from weaning, there was still a difference in body condition score according to pasture type during lactation (2·08, 2·36 and 2·29, respectively). Ovulation rate measured after mating was consistent with the direct effect of body condition (1·34, 1·56 and 1·52, respectively).

Studies on the diet of the grazing animal. II. The effect of physiological status in ewes and pasture availability on herbage intake

1967 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 349 ◽  
Author(s):  
GW Arnold ◽  
ML Dudzinski
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Relative Increase ◽  
Leaf Length ◽  
Physiological Status ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Similar Weight ◽  
The Difference

The digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) of ewes grazing Phalaris tuberosa–Trifolium subterraneum pastures was studied under controlled conditions. The variables studied were pasture conditions, breed, and physiological status of the ewe. The DOMI's of dry, pregnant, and lactating ewes were significantly related, in asymptotic form, to pasture conditions. About 40% of the variability in DOMI was accounted for by the total dry matter available per acre. Further variability was taken out by multiple regression in which diet digestibility, green pasture dry matter per acre, and leaf length were used. Regression models were similar for dry, pregnant, and lactating ewes. Dry and pregnant ewes within both breeds (2-year-old Border Leicester x Merino and 5-year-old Corriedale ewes) had similar DOMI's. The DOMI of lactating ewes was significantly higher than that of dry ewes within both breeds. The increase at the mean maximum intake was 50% for Border Leicester x Merino ewes and 25% for Corriedale ewes. The relative increase was greater at lower pasture yields and shorter leaf lengths. Intakes of Border Leicester x Merino ewes were substantially higher than those of Corriedale ewes although the ewes of both breeds were of similar weight. Reasons for this difference and the difference in lactation response on intake are discussed. Differences in grazing time and rate of eating were found between breeds and between ewes of different physiological status within breeds. The need for more detailed knowledge of grazing behaviour before these differences can be correctly interpreted is stressed.

Allometry of food intake and grazing behaviour with body size in cattle

1989 ◽  
Vol 113 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. W. Illius
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Body Size ◽  
First Year ◽  
Grazing Cattle ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Degree Of Maturity ◽  
Mature Size ◽  
Grazing Behaviour

SUMMARYIn 2 years two groups of 32 grazing cattle were used to examine the effects of previous grazing treatment and of body size on grazing behaviour and herbage organic matter intake (HOMI). Compensatory intake resulted from differences in grazing time only in the first year. There were no sex differences in intake when account was taken of differences in mature size raised to the power 0·73. Bite weight was related to the degree of maturity by the allometric coefficient of 0·46, and HOMI was similarly related by the coefficient of 0·36. This accords with the predicted effects of restricted grazing conditions on animals of different weight, and with allometric changes with weight in incisor breadth. Decreases in intake under grazing were similar in animals differing in maturity and weight. It is suggested that under constant grazing conditions the change in grazed herbage intake as animals mature reflects the allometric change in bite weight and a corresponding decline in bite numbers, resulting in consumption of a constant proportion of ad libitum intake.

Herbage intake and production of Merino sheep grazing native and improved pastures at different stocking rates

1974 ◽  
Vol 14 (68) ◽  
pp. 307 ◽  
Author(s):  
JP Langlands ◽  
JE Bowles
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Native Pastures ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Improved Pasture

Estimates were made of the herbage intake, nutritive value of the diet, liveweight, wool production, efficiency of wool production and fleece characteristics of fine wool merino sheep grazing native pastures at stocking rates of 1.9, 3.7 and 5.6 sheep ha-1. The effects of increased stocking rates on these variables, and differences between improved and native pastures were examined by regression analysis. Organic matter digestibility declined with increasing stocking rate and was consistently less on native than on improved pasture as were the N content and the ratio, N : organic matter digestibility in the diet. Organic matter intake/sheep did not differ between pasture types or stocking rates, but digestible organic matter, digestible nitrogen and nitrogen intakes were less on native pasture, and paralleled seasonal changes in nutritive value, minimum values being recorded in late winter. Both wool production/sheep and liveweight were greater on improved pastures. Wool production ha-1 was 4 to 10 times greater on improved than on native pastures at stocking rates at which wool production/sheep were similar. Efficiency of wool production expressed as g wool/100 g digestible organic matter consumed was greater on improved pasture but when expressed/100 g nitrogen intake, sheep grazing native pasture were more efficient. Possible reasons are discussed. The maintenance requirements for energy appeared to be similar on both types of pasture. Fleeces produced on native pastures were generally lighter with shorter staple lengths, and appeared to be one spinning count finer than those produced on improved pasture. They were also superior in terms of softness and colour but were less uniform.

The estimation of the intake of grazing sheep II. Application of faecal nitrogen regressions to a group of grazing sheep

1962 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. R. Pearce ◽  
J. E. Vercoe ◽  
D. E. Tribe
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
General Pattern ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Lolium Rigidum ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Faecal Nitrogen ◽  
Grazing Sheep

1. Recordings of faecal organic matter (O.M.), faecal N% (O.M. basis) and live weight, were made over 52 consecutive weekly periods on ten Corriedale wethers grazing a pasture consisting mainly of Wimmera rye-grass (Lolium rigidum Gaud.) with some subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) in a Mediterranean-type environment. The amount of available O.M. and its N% were also recorded.2. By applying regressions of (i) the ratio of O.M. feed intake to O.M. faecal output on faecal N% and (ii) the N% in the O.M. intake on faecal N%, to the above observations it was possible to estimate the following quantities: O.M. and digestible organic matter (D.O.M.) intake, N and digestible N intake and O.M. digestibility percentage.3. The patterns of O.M. and D.O.M. intake, and N and digestible N intake are described. Similar patterns exist for each of these quantities. Two maxima, a large one in the spring and a smaller one in the autumn, and two minima, one in the summer and one in the winter, are exhibited. The values for these various maxima and minima are presented in the text.4. Attention is drawn to variations from the general pattern for these quantities and factors which could influence these patterns are mentioned.

The influence of animal age and sward height on the herbage intake and grazing behaviour of Charolais cattle

1995 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 497-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Ferrer Cazcarra ◽  
M. Petit
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Nitrogen Concentration ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
In Vitro Digestibility ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Biting Rate ◽  
Charolais Cattle ◽  
Grazing Behaviour

AbstractMature dry cows, 18-month-old heifers and 7-month-old female calves of the Charolais breed (eight animals of each age) were strip-grazed on moderate (15cm) or tall (52 and 32cm) cocksfoot swards over two 15-day experimental periods. The swards were leafy regrowths of 2 (short) and 8 (tall) weeks of age. Herbage intake was estimated by the alkane method, and grazing behaviour was visually recorded.Bite weight was lower, grazing time and biting rate greater, and organic matter in take of grass (OMIG) higher on shorter swards, the latter being related to a higher in vitro digestibility and nitrogen concentration. Average OMIG per kg live weight (M) was 15·2, 19·1 and 17·0 (s.e.d. 0·49)g in cows, heifers and calves respectively. The average allometric coefficient between OMIG and M was 0·88 (similar between swards), and close to that obtained with hay after the grazing trial.Faecal markers suggested a greater selectivity of calves compared with older cattle. Average bite weights (BW) were 310 (s.e. 40), 467 (s.e. 112) and 718 (s.e. 144)mg OM in calves, heifers and cows respectively. The allometric coefficient between BW and M was higher in short swards than in tall ones. Biting rates increased and grazing times tended to decrease with age of cattle.

Effect of pasture availability and shearing stress on herbage intake of grazing sheep

1963 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 364 ◽  
Author(s):  
JL Wheeler ◽  
TF Reardon ◽  
LJ Lambourne
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Cold Stress ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Shearing Stress ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Grazing Sheep ◽  
Index Methods

Digestible organic matter (D.O.M.) intakes of sheep grazing various pastures were measured by faecal index methods in three 4- to 6-week experiments. No correlation could be found between the weight of pasture available (over the range 150–2900 Ib dry weight per acre of green herbage) and the D.O.M. intake of sheep. During two experiments the sheep were shorn. Shortly after, voluntary D.O.M. intakes rose significantly by 42–62%. Concurrently the hay intake of other sheep yarded nearby rose by 20–51% following shearing. Cold stress is probably responsible for these increases.

The effect of different levels of sodium hydroxide spray treatment of wheat straw on consumption and digestibility by cattle

1971 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahendra Singh ◽  
M. G. Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Sodium Hydroxide ◽  
Wheat Straw ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Alkali Treatment ◽  
Mineral Supplement ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Four Levels ◽  
Ground Wheat ◽  
Spray Treatment

SummaryA sodium hydroxide spray treatment of wheat straw was evaluated in experiments on twenty male calves. Sodium hydroxide solutions of 0, 3·3, 6·7 and 10% concentration were sprayed on ground wheat straw (Exp. 1) and chaffed wheat straw (Exp. 2) at the rate of 1000 litres per tonne. The straws were not washed. The treated straw was then fortified with groundnut cake, molasses and a mineral supplement. In Exp. 1 rations were prepared in bulk and dried and in Exp. 2 the rations were prepared daily and fed wet. A 1 kg green forage supplement was fed daily to all animals. The dry-matter intake (g/kg body weight0·75), and organic matter digestibility coefficients (%) for the four levels of alkali treatment were 86, 95, 78, 66 and 53, 63, 63 and 62 respectively in Exp. 1 and for Exp. 2 they were 95, 121, 105, 89 and 55, 70, 71 and 71. The intake of digestible organic matter thus increased by 25 and 63% in Exp. 1 and Exp. 2, respectively. Nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus retentions were not adversely affected up to 3·3% alkali treatment in Exp. 2. The effectiveness of this spray treatment in terms of increased nutritive value is compared with that of the older Beckmann method of alkali treatment. Treatment costs are also compared.

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