Journal articles: 'Sheep Sheep Forage plants' – Grafiati (2024)

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To explore the effects of multi-cutting and sheep excrement on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from grassland ecosystems which simulate grazing livestock to a certain extent, spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L., var. Yongliang 15) and common vetch (Vicia sativa L., var. Lanjian 3) were planted in pot experiments in an inland arid region in 2019. Four treatments were conducted with eight replicates: plants without sheep excrement and cutting (CK), plants with multi-cutting (MC), plants with sheep excrement (SE), and plants with multi-cutting and sheep excrement (CE). The results showed that the carbon dioxide (CO2) emission of common vetch with CE significantly was higher than that with MC at the earlier and later branching stages (p < 0.05). That of spring wheat with CE was significantly higher than that with MC at the later tillering stage (p < 0.05). Nitrogen oxide (N2O) emissions of the two forage crops with SE rose significantly more than those with MC at both stages (p < 0.05). Methane (CH4) of both forage crops with SE changed from absorption to emission (p < 0.05). Soil NO3−-N content of both forages significantly increased with SE compared with MC (p < 0.05), while soil NH4+-N content did not change significantly. Sheep excrement changed the CH4 sink into a CH4 source of the soil growing the two forage crops and increased the emissions of CO2 and N2O, whereas multi-cutting significantly reduced the GHG intensity of forage crops mostly by promoting the growth of the two forage crops. Future studies are suggested to identify the spatiotemporal effects of cutting and sheep excrement on GHG emissions to improve the prediction of future climate impacts from grazing activities.

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An examination of potential forage resources for snow sheep, or Siberian bighorn sheep (Ovis nivicola Eschscholtz, 1829) in the Polar Urals, where the introduction of these animals from their natural habitats in Northeastern Yakutia is planned, was carried out at the initiative of the Governor of the Yamalo‑Nenets Autonomous District (Russian Federation). The mountain ranges of the Polar Urals have a high degree of similarity with the natural conditions prevailing within the area of the snow sheep, but in the historical past these ungulates were not recorded in the Polar Urals. Therefore, this experiment aimed at expanding the distribution area of snow sheep will involve some risks. In addition to other aspects of introduction, one of the most important is the sufficiency and compliance of the forage base in the new natural area to the snow sheep requirements. This issue is discussed in this publication. According to our observations and literature data, the diet of snow sheep in natural habitats includes 290 species of vascular plants, 21 species of mosses, 20 species of lichens, representatives of 6 genera of cap mushrooms. However, vascular plants, bushy lichens, and seasonal fungi, play the main role in the diet of snow sheep. Forage species of vascular plants belong to almost all of the Boreal region’s families that dominate in terms of diversity, i.e., Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Salicaceae, Betulaceae, Polygonaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Ranunculaceae, Brassicaceae, Rosaceae, Fabaceae, Ericaceae, and Asteraceae. In fact, the snow sheep consume almost the entire range of plants growing within its habitat to one degree or another. This makes it possible to assume that in the Polar Urals, snow sheep will widely use the substituting species which are closely related to the known forage plants. The known food ration of snow sheep in the Polar Urals includes 157 species of vascular plants, 13 species and representatives of 5 genera of leaf‑stem mosses, more than 20 species of ground lichens, representatives of 3 genera (11 species in total) of epiphytic lichens and 6 genera of fungi. In addition, it is predicted that among the replacement plant species distributed in the Polar Urals, the potential forage resources for these animals will include 166 species of vascular plants, a significant part (up to 99 species) of the 358 known species leaf‑stem mosses, and more than 40 species of lichens. The frequency of occurrence and diversity of cap mushrooms in the Polar Urals is high, and can have a positive effect on the feeding of animals in summer and autumn.

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The productivity and health of farmed deer is improved by substituting perennial ryegrass-based pasture with forages containing condensed tannins (CT) and/or sesquiterpene lactones. Benefits have included improved lactation, growth, trace element status, resilience to internal parasites and reductions in parasite larval development. Forages evaluated for deer include the forage legumes sulla and birdsfoot tref oil, which contain CT, and the herb chicory, which contains both CT and sesquiterpene lactones. Autumn grazing of weaner deer on chicory has shown growth can be increased whilst anthelmintic requirement reduced compared to grazing of perennial ryegrass/ white clover pasture. The importance of secondary compounds relative to other nutritive characteristics of alternative forage species, such as low fibre and highly digestible carbohydrate concentrations, have not been fully characterised, but they are likely to contribute to improved deer health. Unlike sheep and cattle, deer pr oduce salivary proteins that bind CT, allowing them to consume plants containing higher CT concentrations than sheep and cattle. The effect of CT upon the digestion and absorption of protein, which has been determined for other domestic ruminants, needs to be measured in deer fed forage diets, to establish if beneficial effects exist. In vitro work has shown direct inhibitory effects of CT and sesquiterpene lactones extracted from forages on deer internal parasite larvae. The faeces, rumen and abomasal fluid of deer grazing chicory also contained substances reducing the viability of parasite larvae. Alternative plant species such as chicory, birdsfoot trefoil and forage willows containing secondary compounds will play an important role in low chemical sustainable deer farming. Keywords: anthelmintic, Cichorium intybus,condensed tannins, forage, Hedysarum coronarium, internal parasites, protein, red deer

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AbstractTanniferous forage plants can have beneficial effects on ruminant productivity and health (improved protein supply, bloat safety and antiparasitic properties). However, condensed tannins can also lower palatability, voluntary feed intake and digestibility. The aim of our interdisciplinary project was to generate basic knowledge on plant management, feed palatability and the antiparasitic properties of tanniferous forage plants for their practical application in agronomy, focusing on their usefulness in controlling gastrointestinal nematodes in organic farming. We found thatOnobrychis viciifolia(sainfoin),Lotus corniculatus(birdsfoot trefoil) andCichorium intybus(chicory) were suitable for cultivation under the given temperate climatic conditions, whereasLotus pedunculatus(big trefoil) was soon outcompeted by unsown species. Growing the tanniferous plant species in a mixture withFestuca pratensis(meadow fescue) rather than in a monoculture had the advantage of increasing total dry matter (DM) yield (especially in the case of tanniferous legumes) and of reducing the DM proportions of unsown species. However, due to dilution by non-tanniferousF. pratensis, the tannin concentrations of mixtures were clearly lower and the seasonal fluctuations in tannin concentrations greater than that of monocultures. Across species, tannin concentrations were highest forO. viciifolia, followed byL. corniculatusand very low forC. intybus. Palatability of all tanniferous forages was comparable to that of a ryegrass/clover mixture when fed as dried forage and, when offered as silage, palatability ofO. viciifoliawas clearly superior to that of the respective ryegrass/clover control. Administration of dried or ensiledO. viciifoliareduced parasite egg counts in feces of lambs co-infected with the gastrointestinal nematode speciesHaemonchus contortusandCooperia curticei. We conclude thatO. viciifoliais the most promising among the tested tanniferous forage plant species due to its suitability for cultivation, its high tannin concentration, its high palatability and its antiparasitic activity even in dried or ensiled form.

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Foraging behaviour of Stone's sheep (Ovis dalli stonei) was compared between different times of the year and between burned and unburned ranges. Seasonal habitat selection resulted in the sheep feeding on the ranges which provided the highest quality available forage. In winter, snow severely restricted the area that provided available forage. Sheep fed primarily on grasses, although forbs and browse were also important foods in the spring and summer. Plant species selected by the sheep in summer were not higher in protein or lower in acid detergent fiber than avoided species, but rather lacked the physical and chemical deterrents present in avoided plants. Intake rate (estimated from biting rate of ewes and foraging time) appeared to be independent of herbage quantity on spring ranges.

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The diet of sheep was recorded by direct observation in a shrub-dominated Eucalyptus populnea woodland between Nyngan and Bourke, N.S.W., on 7 occasions over a 2-year period. Different nutritional opportunities were provided by the effects of rainfall on 3 contrasting grazing treatments. The sheep did not graze equally over the whole area available but foraged selectively so that they encountered unacceptable plants rarely. In particular variable spear grass (Stipa variabilis) was avoided once the inflorescence had emerged and only extreme hunger pressured sheep into foraging in dead stands of this grass.matured, sheep ate firstly increasing quantities of perennial forbs and then mulga (Acacia aneura). When these foods were depleted, sheep subsisted on dead perennial grass, tree litter and broad leaf hopbush (Dodonaea vlscosa). All other shrub species were unacceptable. The ability of sheep to forage successfully during dry periods put excessive pressure on perennial grass, causing it to die out. I suggest this has contributed to the increased frequency of shrub establishment in the poplar box woodlands since they have been used for pastoral production.

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The diet of feral goats was recorded by direct observation in a shrub-dominated Eucalyptus populnea woodland between Nyngan and Bourke, N.S.W., on 7 sampling occasions over 2 years. Different nutritional opportunities were provided by the effects of rainfall on 4 contrasting grazing treatments. The goats foraged evenly over the paddocks and encountered most foods with the same frequency as they occurred. With unlimited quantities of forage available the goats spent 63% of their time grazing and only 28% browsing. Most browsing took place under dry conditions when pasture quality was low. When forage was in short supply the goats accepted some shrubs not normally eaten, and these plants died; other woody plants were consumed erratically or not at all. Acacia aneura was the only woody plant which was both palatable and resilient to goat browsing. Goats mostly ate the same plant species as sheep and with the same preference, but tended to eat more browse and less forbs than sheep in dry times. The browse consumed was principally the same as consumed by sheep, demonstrating sequential competition for dry-season fodder. Goats demonstrated a potential for overgrazing in dry times, indicating that stocking rates must be adjusted at such times to avoid pastures becoming extinct.

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Acute poisoning in sheep can occur following ingestion of toxic plants, including plants that they may eat normally such as ivy (Hedera spp.) and plants they avoid unless other forage is unavailable. Poisoning with plants containing grayanotoxins (Pieris and Rhododendron spp.) is very common in sheep, particularly when the weather is poor and they are hungry. Oak (Quercus spp.) poisoning is also relatively common in sheep, particular in years with a heavy acorn crop. Numerous plants contain cardiac glycosides and are a potential risk to sheep. Sudden death is frequently the first signs of plant toxicosis in livestock. Bites from adders (Vipera berus berus) may also occur in sheep but are likely to be underreported as the actual biting event is not witnessed. Envenomation may result in swelling and haematological, renal, hepatic and cardiac effects. Overdosage of drugs with a narrow therapeutic index may also be a risk. One such example is closantel which can result in blindness. Management of acute poisoning in sheep is supportive including removal from exposure, and providing analgesia, rehydration and potentially a rumenotomy for plant exposure in valuable animals.

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Broussonetia papyrifera is an exotic tree widely grown for paper production. Due to its prolific regeneration it has invaded forestcanopy gaps and degraded farmlands and has now become an invasive species in Ghana. In enhancing its value for use the plantwas evaluated as potential forage for grazing animals vis-à-vis other two existing forage plants: Ficus exasperata and Leucaenaleucocephala.The study assessed the palatability and preference of Broussonetia papyrifera using sheep and goats for the wet anddry seasons.The species were assessed in indoor pen feeding trials using eight-unit (3×3 m) pens with the cafeteria method.The amount of forage offered was 100g (fresh material) in all instances for each species and for ten minutes. Adesign basedon 3×2×2 factorial in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used to test the differences in palatability betweenthe three forage species.Results revealed that palatability was higher (P<0.05) in Leucaena leucocephala compared with Ficusexasperata and Broussonetia papyrifera for sheep and goats across seasons. The trend shown might be the result of the effectsof familiarity with the Leucaena leucocephala since animals tend to select plants that are familiar than newly introduced andunfamiliar plants. The study also revealed high level of condensed tannin (CT) in Broussonetia papyrifera which might haveinterfered with forage intake by the animals.There were no significant differences in palatability of Broussonetia papyrifera forgoat in both dry and wet season interactions and Ficus exasperata for goat in both dry and wet season interactions (P>0.05).Thestudy concluded that Broussonetia papyrifera could be a potential feed for both sheep and goats across seasons.The researchrecommended that livestock farmers should incorporate Broussonetia papyrifera feed into their programmes for both sheep andgoats and should be introduced to animals from infancy so that it may become a familiar feed for them.

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Broussonetia papyrifera is an exotic tree widely grown for paper production. Due to its prolific regeneration it has invaded forestcanopy gaps and degraded farmlands and has now become an invasive species in Ghana. In enhancing its value for use the plantwas evaluated as potential forage for grazing animals vis-à-vis other two existing forage plants: Ficus exasperata and Leucaenaleucocephala.The study assessed the palatability and preference of Broussonetia papyrifera using sheep and goats for the wet anddry seasons.The species were assessed in indoor pen feeding trials using eight-unit (3×3 m) pens with the cafeteria method.The amount of forage offered was 100g (fresh material) in all instances for each species and for ten minutes. Adesign basedon 3×2×2 factorial in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used to test the differences in palatability betweenthe three forage species.Results revealed that palatability was higher (P<0.05) in Leucaena leucocephala compared with Ficusexasperata and Broussonetia papyrifera for sheep and goats across seasons. The trend shown might be the result of the effectsof familiarity with the Leucaena leucocephala since animals tend to select plants that are familiar than newly introduced andunfamiliar plants. The study also revealed high level of condensed tannin (CT) in Broussonetia papyrifera which might haveinterfered with forage intake by the animals.There were no significant differences in palatability of Broussonetia papyrifera forgoat in both dry and wet season interactions and Ficus exasperata for goat in both dry and wet season interactions (P>0.05).Thestudy concluded that Broussonetia papyrifera could be a potential feed for both sheep and goats across seasons.The researchrecommended that livestock farmers should incorporate Broussonetia papyrifera feed into their programmes for both sheep andgoats and should be introduced to animals from infancy so that it may become a familiar feed for them.

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The use of leguminous forages is an alternative of protein supplementation in animal diets. Leucaena leucocephala (leucaena) is lifelong leguminous forage that can be directly grazed or harvested, offered fresh, hay or silage to animals. Many leguminous show anti-nutritional factors that may reduce the use of these plants in animal diets. Condensed tannin (CT) is one common anti-nutritional factor present in the leucaena. The objective of this work was to evaluate the use of Leucaena leucocephala in Santa Inês sheep diets on intake and digestibility parameters.

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Exposure to toxic metals (TMs) such as cobalt (Co) can cause lifelong carcinogenic disorders and mutagenic outcomes. TMs enter ground water and rivers from human activity, anthropogenic contamination, and the ecological environment. The present study was conducted to evaluate the influence of sewage water irrigation on cobalt (Co) toxicity and bioaccumulation in a soil-plant environment and to assess the health risk of grazing livestock via forage consumption. Cobalt is a very necessary element for the growth of plants and animals; however, higher concentrations have toxic impacts. Measurement of Co in plant, soil and water samples was conducted via wet digestion method using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The Co pollution severity was examined in soil, forage crops (Sorghum bicolor Kuntze, Sesbania bispinosa (Jacq.) W. Wight, Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Suaeda fruticosa (L.) Forssk. and Tribulus terrestris L.) in blood, hair and feces of sheep, cow and buffalo from district Toba-Tek-Singh, Punjab, Pakistan. Three sites were selected for investigation of Co level in soil and forage samples. Highest concentration of Co was 0.65 and 0.35 mg/kg occurring in S. bicolor at site I. The sheep blood, cow hair and sheep feces samples showed highest concentrations of 0.545, 0.549 and 0.548 mg/kg, respectively at site I and site II. Bioconcentration factor, pollution load index, enrichment factor and daily intake were found to be higher (0.667, 0.124, 0.12 and 0.0007 mg/kg) in soil, S. bicolor, S. fruticosa and in buffalo, respectively, at site I. It was concluded that forage species irrigated with wastewater are safe for consumption of livestock. However, though the general values were lower than the permissible maximum limit, it was observed that the bioaccumulation in the forage species was higher. Therefore, soil and food chain components should be avoided from trace metal contamination, and other means of nonconventional water resources should be employed for forages irrigation.

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Grasslands represent significant natural resource with important role in economy and ecology of every country. Properly cultivated and utilized grasslands provide cheap and high quality food for sheep, which they easily transfer into milk and meat. However, extensive management has caused degradation of pasture areas. Improvement of production of forage plants on pastures is achieved by using melioration measures, primarily fertilization. Fertilization is important also from the aspect of increase of yield and quality of forage plants. The effect of application of fertilizer depends on the present plant species in the mixture. Application of nitrogen mineral fertilizers in mixtures reduces the nitrogen fixating abilities of leguminous species, which leads to the diminishing of their competitive abilities and favouring of the grass component in the mixture. Use of excessive quantities of N fertilizer in plants causes the accumulation of nitrates, as a unfavourable quality parameter in plant tissues, which can have harmful effect on animal health. Therefore, attention should be focused on application of N fertilizers, which should be harmonized with the plant requirements, so that used quantities are not excessive and harmful. Objective of this paper is to point out the significance of fertilization as one of the most important melioration measures.

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Research is reported probing the concern of some wheat producers that grazing of early sown, dual-purpose wheat for winter forage may accentuate the spread of Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV). In experiments with housed sheep, we investigated whether there were any grounds for this concern. In the first experiment, sheep were allowed to graze heavily virus-infected wheat in trays, followed over a period of 24 h by a series of test trays of healthy wheat. The grazed plants were allowed to recover and new leaves were tested for symptoms and the presence of virus. In total, 2352 test plants were negative for WSMV, assessed through symptoms, ELISA, and RT-PCR. In the second experiment, no WSMV particles (assayed with ELISA) or RNA (assayed by RT-PCR) were detected in any saliva samples collected from sheep 0.5, 7.5, and 24.5 h after being fed heavily virus-infected wheat. Furthermore, these saliva samples, when inoculated onto test wheat seedlings under optimal conditions, failed to transmit the virus. In a third experiment we showed that the urea concentration in sheep saliva is at least two orders of magnitude lower than that required to render WSMV non-infective, and therefore is not responsible for the failure of sheep to transmit the virus. Our data provide no support for the suggestion that grazing sheep spread the WSMV between plants in a grazed wheat crop as a consequence of the grazing process itself.

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We hypothesised that the preference of sheep among a wide range of annual legumes at successive stages of plant phenology would be related to laboratory measurements of the chemical composition of the forage. We tested this by examining the relative preferences of sheep among 20 genotypes of annual plants at three phenological stages of plant growth using the Chesson–Manly selection index. Plant material was collected for laboratory analyses at each phenological stage and samples were analysed for nitrogen, sulfur, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, in vitro digestibility and water soluble carbohydrates. Sheep differed in relative preference among the plant genotypes within and between each of the three phenological stages. Vegetative characteristics that were correlated with relative preference also differed with plant phenology. Measured characteristics of the plant material explained an increasing proportion of the variance in relative preference with successive phenological stages (4.8, 51.1 and 60.9% at the vegetative, reproductive and senesced stages; P < 0.001). The relative preference of the sheep depended on the overall quality of the vegetation. When the quality of the vegetation was high, relative preference did not correlate well with measured nutritive characteristics. However, when the vegetation was of low quality, sheep selected plants with characteristics associated with higher nutritive value. We conclude that sheep adopt different foraging strategies in response to changing vegetation characteristics and increase their preference for plants that increase their intake of digestible dry matter as the sward matures.

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SUMMARYExtensive sheep and goat farming is common in the rangelands of Gökçeada Island, NW Turkey. The aim of the current study was to investigate the behaviour of indigenous Gökçeada sheep over these rangelands and factors influencing their behavioural characteristics. Grubbing (with chisel ploughing to a depth of 20 cm), burning (the entire top part of plants) and cutting (10–15 cm stalk on the surface of the soil) were carried out on selected rangeland to reduce prickly burnet (Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.) Spach) from the vegetative covering, then forage crop seeds were sown to improve plant cover. Forty head of Gökçeada-bred sheep were placed in eight fenced plots (half seeded, half unseeded) on reclaimed and natural rangeland for 2 years. Sheep behaviour was observed for a period of 1 year. Each plot was arranged with a stocking rate of 2·67 sheep/ha and contained five sheep that grazed freely within each plot. Sheep behaviour was observed diurnally through direct observation by time sampling (10 min) and continuous sampling methods. During the period of 1 year, the observed sheep spent an average of 0·53 of their time grazing in daylight, 0·30 of their time in rangelands on other activities and 0·17 in the paddocks. Significant differences were observed in the time of grazing, resting, locomotion and rumination by season. The highest grazing ratio was noticed in spring while the lowest was in summer. Sheep exhibited walking behaviour 10·6 times/day. The sheep mostly (0·66) grazed on prickly burnet throughout the year although, when available, they tended to prefer herbaceous plants. The behaviour of sheep in the two natural (unreclaimed) plots was significantly different from those placed in other plots, mainly due to the mass of prickly burnet shrub found in the natural plots.

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The present study was carried out to determine the survival, persistence, and infection efficiency of Verticillium dahliae passed through the digestive tract of sheep. Eggplant, turnip, tomato, and pepper plants were artificially inoculated with 32 V. dahliae isolates. At 33 days postinoculation, the disease incidence and severity for eggplant, turnip, tomato, and pepper plants were 99.6, 96.2, 62.9, and 18.0% and 80.1, 49.8, 19.8, and 7.8%, respectively. The infected plant material was used to feed four 1-year-old sheep. Polymerase chain reaction assays revealed the presence of V. dahliae DNA in fecal samples received from animals' rectum on days 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, whereas the pathogen DNA was not detected on 0, 6, and 7 days after feeding. Pathogenicity tests were conducted by transplanting eggplant plants into soil substrate amended with 20% decomposed manure, collected from the four animals fed with the infested forage. At 52 days after transplanting, manure-treated plants exhibited Verticillium wilt symptoms whereas, 2 months later, disease incidence, disease severity, and percentage of positive V. dahliae isolations from stem tissues were 58.3, 30.7, and 48.3%, respectively. Symptoms or positive isolations were not observed in control plants (transplanted in 100% soil substrate). This is the first report of the active role of V. dahliae passed through the digestive system of sheep as effective inoculum for host plants, in relation to the span persistence and transmission via the sheep carrier.

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Abstract Stockpiled forage may extend the grazing season for sheep, reducing feeding costs. Additionally, internal parasites are a problem in sheep managed under grazing conditions. Plants high in phenolic compounds have potential to reduce parasite problems. Cleome gynandra is one such plant that has traditionally been used to treat worms in humans. Thirty-six Katahdin × Dorper lambs (38.8 ± 0.7 kg) were used to investigate the effect of stockpiled forages on lamb performance at different stocking densities: (i) 23 lambs/ha (LOW), (ii) 46 lambs/ha (MED), and (iii) 92 lambs/ha (HIGH). To test C. gynandra for anthelmintic properties, lambs were assigned to (i) permanent pastures (PP), and (ii) PP inter-seeded with C. gynandra (CL). The LOW lambs had the highest ADG (83.8 ± 10.5 g/day), MED lambs were intermediate (48.4 ± 11.6 g/day) and HIGH lambs were lowest (11.0 ± 10.6 g/day; P &lt; 0.001). Lamb BCS did not differ between stocking densities or pasture types (P &gt; 0.10). Fecal egg counts did not differ (P &gt; 0.10) between pasture treatments. In conclusion, stockpiled forages may extend the grazing season for yearling lambs in Southern California. The lack of effect on parasite egg counts may be attributed to grazing C. gynandra at mature stage when nutritional and medicinal values were at their lowest. Future research can clarify the economics of grazing stockpiled forages for sheep at different stages of production, and nutritional effect of C. gynandra on carcass quality.

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Animal grazing in integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) results in continuous nutrient release to forage plants and crops in succession. This study aimed to assess sheep dung composition and decomposition rates under distinct grazing intensities and at different development stages of Italian ryegrass pasture (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), and to evaluate dung phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) release dynamics during two annual ICLS cycles (2015 and 2016) in southern Brazil. Treatments consisted of two grazing intensities (moderate and light) and two pasture development stages (vegetative and post-flowering), arranged in a randomized complete block design with split-split-plots and four replicates. Dry matter (DM) decomposition and P and K release rates were determined using litter bags with sheep dung. Grazing intensity did not affect sheep dung composition. Forage consumed at different development stages altered sheep dung composition, decomposition, and P and K release rates. Dung sampled at pasture vegetative stage showed P and K contents 16% and 7% higher, respectively, than dung from the post-flowering stage. Dung collected at pasture post-flowering stage had 26% more cellulose and 34% more hemicellulose compared to dung from the vegetative stage in 2016. P and K release was greater for dung from pasture vegetative stage, reaching 3.7 and 12.9 kg ha−1 of P and K, respectively. Further evaluations are still needed considering the quantification and release of nutrients in each of the different compartments (pasture, urine, and dung residues) that compose the system.

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AbstractCover crops are suites of non-marketable plants grown to improve soil tilth and reduce erosion. Despite these agronomic benefits, the use of cover crops is often limited because they do not provide a direct source of revenue for producers. Integrating livestock to graze cover crops could provide both an expeditious method for cover crop termination and an alternative source of revenue. However, there has been little research on the agronomic impacts of grazing for cover crop termination, especially in horticultural market-gardens. We conducted a 3-year study comparing the effects of sheep grazing to terminate a four species cover crop (buckwheat, sweetclover, peas and beets) with those of mowing on soil quality indicators, cover crop termination efficacy, and subsequent cash-crop yields. In addition, we tested the nutritional quality of the cover crop as forage. Compared with mowing, sheep grazing did not affect soil chemistry, temperature or moisture. Our study demonstrates that sheep grazing removed more cover crop biomass than mowing at termination. The assessment of nutritional indices suggests that the four-species cover crop mixture could provide high-quality forage with a potential value of US$144.00–481.80 ha−1of direct revenue as a grazing lease. Cash-crop yields did not differ between previously grazed and previously mowed plots in the subsequent growing season. We conclude that integrating sheep grazing into market vegetable garden operations could make cover crops more economically viable without having adverse effects on subsequent cash crops.

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This article reviews the literature on nitrate leaching under sheep grazing systems and focuses on identifying future research needs. Urinary nitrogen (N) is an important source of the nitrate leached from pastoral agriculture. Urinary N excretion can be measured or simulated using models and has been well characterised for dairy systems. It is difficult to continuously monitor the urinary N excretion of sheep under field conditions; consequently, measurements of N excretion in sheep urine are limited. Urination events by sheep vary greatly in volume (0.5 L to 6.9 L), concentration (3 to 13.7 g N/L), and frequency (8 to 23 events/day); this variation results in a corresponding variation in N loading rates in urine patches. The amount of nitrate leached under pastures grazed by sheep has typically varied between 1 and 50 kg N/ha/year, but rates as high as 300 kg N/ha/year have been reported. The quantity of nitrate leached under sheep depends on the season, climate, quantity and timing of drainage, the interaction between forage production and stocking rate, fertiliser applied, N fixation by legumes, forage type, and grazing management. The majority of studies examining nitrate leaching under sheep grazing systems are more than 20 years old; so, there is little recent information on nitrate leaching under modern pasture-based sheep production systems. Further research is required to quantify nitrate leaching levels under current sheep farming practices, to understand the impacts of this leaching on water quality, and to help identify effective strategies to reduce the transfer of N from grazed paddocks to receiving water bodies. This additional information will help provide information for decision support tools, including models and management practices, to help sheep farmers minimise their impact on the aquatic environment.

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Tedera (Bituminaria bituminosa C.H Stirt. vars. albomarginata and crassiuscula) is a traditional forage species for goats in the Canary Islands, Spain. It has agronomic characteristics ideally suited to Mediterranean-like climates that allows it to provide high quality green forage for grazing animals during summer and autumn. It can be used to extend the growing season into late spring and early summer and/or to reduce or eliminate the need for expensive hand feeding of grain and hay to sheep to fill the ‘feed gap’ during the dry season in southern Australian farming systems. Three sheep grazing experiments were carried out with the objective to evaluate sheep production during summer and autumn with tedera as the sole diet. A 3-ha site at Dandaragan, Western Australia was grazed during the summer and autumn of 2014–2015 and 2016 and a 2.4-ha site was grazed at Kojonup, Western Australia during the same period in 2016. At each site, two grazing treatments were evaluated, continuous grazing and rotational grazing with six plots (14 days of grazing and 70 days of recovery). The first hypothesis tested was that tedera plants would not survive continuous grazing during summer and autumn. The second hypothesis tested was that without hand feeding, 10 dry sheep equivalents/ha would be able to at least maintain weight and condition score during summer and autumn. The third hypothesis tested was that rotational grazing would improve the production of the sheep (liveweight and condition score) compared with continuous grazing. The first hypothesis was rejected, the population of tedera plants did not significantly decline due to being continuously grazed during summer and autumn. The second hypothesis was confirmed, at the three experimental sites, 10 dry sheep equivalents/ha were able to at least maintain weight and condition score without any hand feeding. The third hypothesis was partially rejected; continuous grazing had a better performance of the sheep than rotational grazing. However, the rotational grazing plots had more tedera on offer in the remaining grazing plots in the rotation with the potential for a longer grazing time. These three experiments clearly demonstrate that tedera can be used to reduce or eliminate expensive hand feeding during summer and autumn using the simplest and least expensive grazing management; continuous grazing.

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The aim of the study was to determine the development of ramie plants (Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud) and the effect of using ramie leaves on feed on the body weight gain of Wonosobo Sheep (Dombos). Research on the development of ramie plants using survey methods in the area of ramie plant development in Wonosobo Regency. While the research on the use of ramie leaves for fattening was carried out in Butuh Village, Kalikajar District, Wonosobo Regency in 2018. 21 male Dombos were divided into 3 feed treatments with forage proportions of 70%, 50% and 30 ramie leaves respectively. %. The results showed that currently ramie plants were being developed in Wonosobo Regency by CV. Ramindo Berkah Persada Sejahtera in Gandok Village, Kalikajar District, Wonosobo Regency, Central Java. Until now the area of the crop has reached 13 ha. Of this area will produce ramie leaves 195,000 kg / year. If one sheep needs 4 kg of ramie / tail / day leaves, then the potential capacity of sheep is 135 heads / year, if the given one is 50% then the Jurnal Litbang Provinsi Jawa Tengah, Volume 16 202 Nomor 2 – Desember 2018potential capacity is 270 heads / year and if it is reduced again to 25% of ramie leaves then the potential capacity 440 heads / year. The use of ramie leaves as a feed for Wonosobo Sheep fattening can be given as much as 30% in fresh form.

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Bituminaria bituminosa is a drought-tolerant, perennial legume that has been used for centuries as a part of the mixed sward in grazing systems around the Mediterranean sea and ‘cut and carried’ to feed as hay to dairy goats in the Canary Islands; varieties albomarginata and crassiuscula, commonly known as tedera, are native only to the Canary Islands. In south-western Australia, tedera will likely be directly grazed as green plants to help fill the feed gap in summer–autumn, due to its drought tolerance and capacity to retain green leaves. There are no reports of ill-effects of grazing tedera in its native environment; however, tedera is never the sole diet there. Hence, before proceeding to grazing trials it was important to conduct pen feeding studies with a sole diet of tedera. Sheep fed fresh tedera exclusively for 34 days readily consumed the forage and remained in good health, as reflected by a standard set of blood chemistry parameters. Furthermore, while the intake of the sheep fed tedera may not have been ad libitum (~1.0 kg DM/head.day), they maintained their liveweight (42.5 kg) and body condition (condition score 3) throughout the experiment. This is the first experiment to measure the in vivo digestibility and nitrogen balance of sheep fed ‘fresh’ tedera forage. During the metabolism study, the in vivo digestibility of organic matter in the dry matter of the fresh tedera was similar to that of lucerne chaff (59% vs 55%) when the sheep fed lucerne chaff had their intake restricted to that of those fed tedera.

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A study was conducted on the sheep farm of the Livestock Experimental Station, located in the southwestern Punjab, Pakistan, to determine the copper nutrition status of different classes of grazing sheep during two different seasons. A complete free-choice supplement (feed) was available to all animals throughout the year. The purpose of this research was to investigate, as a function of the seasons, the transfer of Cu from soil, and dietary factors to sheep grazing in this semiarid region, in order to evaluate if the Cu requirement of grazing livestock was met or if a deficiency occurred. The final goal was to maximize the production of the animals by adopting, if necessary, adequate, balanced Cu supplementation. Soil, forage, feed and water samples, and animal samples (plasma, milk, faeces and urine from lactating ewes, plasma, faeces and urine from non-lactating ewes and plasma and faeces from male animals) were taken eight times during the year (four times in each season). Soil copper was affected by the seasonal changes and sampling intervals and was significantly higher than plant needs during both seasons, while the forage copper level did not show significant seasonal fluctuations, but was only affected by the sampling intervals. The soil and forage Cu was sufficient for the requirements of the plants and the animals grazing there on during both seasons. The copper contents of the feed and water showed no seasonal or sampling interval fluctuations. The plasma Cu was affected by seasonal variations in non-lactating ewes and in rams and by sampling intervals in the lactating ewes. Faecal and urine Cu was not affected by seasonal or sampling intervals except in non-lactating ewes, where the sampling interval had a pronounced effect on faecal Cu, while milk Cu in lactating ewes was affected by seasonal changes only. In all classes of sheep plasma Cu was higher during the winter than during the summer and remained in the normal range for ruminants during both seasons. It is concluded that a mixture with high bioavailability, containing Cu, should be continuously provided to grazing sheep in this semi-arid region in order to maintain the normal level of Cu and maximize the production potential of ruminants.

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Silvopastoralism based on livestock feeding on forage trees is becoming a sustainable alternative to traditional grazing on the open pastures of dry tropical Central America. Four autochthonous trees, Acacia pennatula, Enterolobium cyclocarpum, Gliricidia sepium and Guazuma ulmifolia, and one exotic (Moringa oleifera) tree are the preferred species for these silvopastoral systems. Little is known, however, about the feeding preferences of cattle, sheep and goats for such fodder trees and whether wild ungulates (white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus) feed on these plants. In this work, we conducted several multiple-choice feeding preference tests (cafeteria test) to compare the best choice to feed cattle, sheep, goats and white-tailed deer in these farming systems. Although all ruminant species included the four autochthonous trees and the exotic M. oleifera in their diets, G. ulmifolia was the preferred forage tree by far. The preference for the rest of the trees varied among our ruminant species. When M. oleifera was added to the cafeteria test, it was well accepted by white-tailed deer but little appreciated by their domestic counterparts. The use of these forage trees for livestock feeding is thus interesting not only for sustainable animal production but also to support wild herbivores in the dry tropics of Central America.

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This study determined the impact of grazing on the kind of material selected by sheep from a saltbush (Atriplex amnicola) plantation and the changes in the chemical composition of saltbush plants associated with season. Saltbush plants in four plots of about 0.9 hectares each were scored from 1 to 5 on the basis of leafiness. Ten Merino wethers were grazed on each plot, giving a stocking rate of about 11 per hectare. The results demonstrated that sheep selected only stem material of less than 1.5 mm diameter, while the grazing pressure on saltbush plants, as described by the number of stems eaten per 0.1 m2, increased from less than one to an average of 18 to 20 stems in 5 to 7 weeks. Grazing had a significant effect on dry matter digestibility (DMD) and nitrogen concentration of whole plant samples. During six weeks of grazing the DMD of whole plant samples cut 10 cm from the tips of the branches dropped from 0.53 to 0.25 (P<0.05), whereas the nitrogen content declined from 11 g/kg to 8 g/kg (P<0.05). At the end of grazing the nutritional value of whole plant samples was very poor and sheep refused to eat stem that was thicker than 1.5 mm. These findings question the grazable fraction reported in the literature for saltbush plantation. when the stem diameters used in calculations are not reported or thicker stems were assumed grazable. Season also had a significant effect on the ratio of leaf to stem and the mineral content. The concentration of sodium in saltbush leaf was negatively correlated (r = -0.93) with both nitrogen and potassium.

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Abstract Grazing animals explore different forage resources to satisfy their daily nutrient needs, following specific spatial and temporal patterns throughout the year. In this study four different flocks of sheep and goats (two of each species) were selected to record their spatial location with a handheld GPS during spring, summer and winter. At the same time, three animals in each flock were followed to study their grazing activities by direct observation. These data with the time information and a detailed land use map were manipulated in a GIS to assign animal activities to different forage resources. Sheep and goats were travelling long distances (7.5 km and 9.0 km, respectively) to satisfy their nutritional needs throughout the year. They were found to graze in two main forage resources, rangelands (grasslands, shrublands and forest ranges) and agricultural land (fallow land, stubble fields and temporary pastures). Both grazer species spent significantly less time (P≤ 0.05) feeding in rangelands (38.9% & 18.1%) than in agricultural land (63.6% & 53.4%) during spring and summer. It appears that a heterogeneous landscape is necessary for supporting extensive farming systems of small ruminants since rangelands and agricultural land complement each other in providing forage throughout the year.

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Using herbicides for sod suppression during pasture renovation by legume sod-seeding often results in the loss of potentially usable forage, weed encroachment, and inadequate legume:grass ratios. Physical sod suppression methods could alleviate some of the problems associated with suppression via herbicide. A study was conducted in Québec, Canada, to investigate, as an alternative to herbicide, sod suppression by sheep grazing or mowing before and after spring no-till seeding of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) or white clover (T. repens L.). Sod-suppression treatments included six physical suppression methods: mowing or sheep grazing, to 5 or 10 cm, at seeding and when the grass sward reached 30 cm during the first 2 mo of clover establishment, or similarly managed mowing or sheep grazing to 5 cm with an additional defoliation the previous fall. Additional treatments included suppression by herbicide (glyphosate [N-(Phosphonomethyl) glycine] at 2.6 kg a.i. ha–1) and two controls: sod-seeding with no sod suppression and no seeding. Among the physical suppression treatments, grazing and mowing to 5 cm resulted in highest clover densities, similar to those achieved via herbicide suppression. Red and white clover had similar plant densities. Yield components and total forage yields varied with sites. Clover yields tended to be higher with herbicide than under physical suppression treatments. However, increasing the severity of physical suppression increased clover yields. Weed encroachment was observed only with herbicide sod suppression. Unlike suppression with herbicide, physical suppression did not decrease total forage yields in the renovation and post-renovation years when compared with controls. Forage quality was increased in the renovation year by both physical suppression methods and herbicide when compared with unrenovated controls; but the increase was greater with herbicide suppression. Only the most severe of the physical suppression methods sustained increased forage quality in the year after renovation. Timely mowing or grazing as methods for suppression of grass sod during renovation with legumes appear to have potential, but cannot yet be recommended as alternatives to herbicide. Key words: Clover, forage, grazing, pasture renovation, sod-seeding

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The harvesting stage of forage plants has been identified as one of the major factors influencing feed intake and digestibility. However, most of the studies in the literature surrounding harvest stage effects are conceptualized for herbaceous grasses and legumes, while shrubs and tree plants like Tephrosia bracteolata and Gmelina arborea are left out, leaving out a research area that is yet to be explored. This study therefore evaluated the chemical composition and nutrient degradability (dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fibre) of T. bracteolata and G. arborea harvested at different ages. The chemical composition of the plants were determined at each harvest stage, following which three West African dwarf rams carrying permanent cannula were used for the degradability trials. The plants were harvested at 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks after planting (WAP) and incubated in the rumen of fistulated rams for 48 hours, after which the dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fibre degradability were determined. Collected data was analysed using two way analysis of variance. Results showed that as the plant aged, the crude protein contents decreased (P<0.05) while the fibre fractions increased. The DM degradability values of 29.68 to 55.37 % were recorded for T. bracteolata with the least and highest values recorded at 20 and 8 WAP respectively. The same observation was recorded for G. arborea. Highest potential crude protein degradation (CPD) was recorded at 12 WAP for T. bracteolata (75.79 %) and G. arborea (59.68 %). The highest (P<0.05) potential neutral detergent fibre degradation was recorded at 16 WAP for T. bracteolata (76.77 %) and at 8 WAP for G. arborea (48.63 %). This study concluded that T. bracteolata should be harvested at 12 – 16 WAP as protein supplement while G. arborea plants may be supplied to ruminants as supplementary diets during dry season to augment poor quality feed available during the period. Le stade de récolte des plantes fourragères a été identifié comme l'un des principaux facteurs influençant la consommation alimentaire et la digestibilité. Cependant, la plupart des études dans la littérature concernant les effets du stade de récolte sont conceptualisées pour les graminées herbacées et les légumineuses, tandis que les arbustes et les plantes arborescentes comme Tephrosia bracteolate et Gmelinaarborea ont été laissés de côté, laissant de côté un domaine de recherche qui reste à explorer. Cette étude a donc évalué la composition chimique et la dégradabilité des nutriments (matière sèche, protéines brutes et fibres détergentes neutres) de T. bracteolata et G. arborea récoltées à différents âges. Les compositions chimiques des plantes ont été déterminées à chaque étape de récolte, puis trois béliers nains d'Afrique de l'Ouest portant une canule permanente ont été utilisés pour les essais de dégradabilité. Les plantes ont été récoltées à 8, 12, 16 et 20 semaines après la plantation (SAP) et incubées dans le rumen de béliers fistulés pendant 48 heures, après quoi la dégradabilité de la matière sèche, des protéines brutes et des fibres au détergent neutre a été déterminée. Les données recueillies ont été analysées à l'aide d'une analyse de variance à deux voies. Les résultats ont montré qu'à mesure que la plante vieillissait, la teneur en protéines brutes diminuait (P<0,05) tandis que les fractions de fibres augmentaient. Les valeurs de dégradabilité de DM de 29,68 à 55,37 % ont été enregistrées pour T. bracteolata avec les valeurs les plus faibles et les plus élevées enregistrées à 20 et 8 SAP respectivement. La même observation a été enregistrée pour G. arborea. La dégradation potentielle la plus élevée des protéines crues (DPC) a été enregistrée à 12 SAPpour T. bracteolata (75,79 %) et G. arborea (59,68 %). La dégradation potentielle la plus élevée (P<0,05) des fibres détergentes neutres a été enregistrée à 16 SAP pour T. bracteolata (76,77 %) et à 8 SAP pour G. arborea (48,63 %). Cette étude a conclu que T. bracteolate devrait être récolté entre 12 et 16 SAP comme complément protéique tandis que les plantes de G. arborea peuvent être fournies aux ruminants comme compléments alimentaires pendant la saison sèche pour augmenter les aliments de mauvaise qualité disponibles pendant la période.

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This article discusses the prospects for the use and rapid development of modern satellite systems and observation technologies in pasture farming. The main possibilities of constructing a predictive model for planning the productivity of pasture herbage on the basis of multivariate analysis of remote sensing are presented. The obtained data are used to build a technological map of animal grazing. Currently, the data obtained as a result of satellite observation and associated technologies are increasingly used in tasks related to obtaining reliable objective information about the state of agricultural land and the possibility of their industrial use. To solve the set tasks, specialized information systems and models of various levels of predicting the productivity of the land used and the productivity of pasture animals are rapidly being developed and implemented. As objectively observable data on the current state of pastures in our studies, we used multispectral images of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 Earth remote sensing satellite of the European Space Agency (ESA). The data obtained made it possible to establish the relationship between the productivity of rangelands and the vegetation index obtained by the remote method and verified by the contact method during field trials. Studies of the chemical composition and nutritional value of forage grazing plants made it possible to assess the yield of nutrients and energy from 1 m2. According to the results of accounting for the live weight of the controlled animals, it was found that the live weight of sheep grazed on pasture No. 1 statistically significantly exceeded this indicator by 6.2% in analogues that were grazed on pasture No. 2. Based on the results obtained, recommendations were made to substantiate the periods of optimal use of pasture areas, based on the use of digital methods of remote monitoring.

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Investigation was carried out on the territory of Stara Planina mountain, Pirot mnucipality, in villages: Dojkinci, Brlog, Jelovica, Visocka Rzana and Rsovci, from 700-1200 m above sea level, on farms with greater number of sheep (over 100 heads) which in regard to the breeds structure were mainly Pirot pramenka breed, and insignificant number of heads were crosses of Pirot Pramenka and W?rttemberg. Research included analysis of pasture from the aspect of floristic and chemical composition. In regard to botanical composition it was concluded that grasses were present with approx. 50%, leguminous plants with 15% , and herbaceous plants with 35%. Share of crude protein in investigated samples varied from 4,81 to 13,57%, and of crude fibre from 20,67 to 37,17%. Yield of forage on pastures was from 0,6 to 2,0 t/ha. Low yield as well as unsatisfactory floristic composition of pastures resulted from poor care, especially lack of fertilization and their unplanned and inefficient use which was reflected on milk yield of sheep, in lactation of 180 days it was from 69,16-70,40 kg. Improvement of botanical composition can be achieved by application of fertilizers since in this way the share of useful grasses (Poaceae) and leguminous plants (Fabaceae) is increased, and share of herbaceous plants in total mass of pasture is reduced, which represents one of our goals in research on the Pirot territory of Stara Planina mountain. In order to preserve the quality and phytodiversity of plant species we suggested as optimal way of pasture utilization, combination of pasture and cutting system. In winter nutrition period, on investigated locations, introduction of haylage in nutrition of sheep used for production of milk is recommended, because of its higher nutritive value compared to hay.

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Abstract Arsenic contamination of groundwater has been previously reported in Ghopuz, a village located in the Northwest of Iran. Samples were taken from consuming and irrigation water and plants of the region for chemical analysis. A seven-year old ewe, which had lived in and fed a lifelong at the same place, with clinical signs such as weakness, wasting and inappropriate integument was necropsied. Grossly, buccal erosion, stomatitis, cutaneous ulcers and serous atrophy of fat deposits were observed. Rumen contents, wool and several tissue samples were obtained for toxicological and histopathological examinations. Mean arsenic concentration in the spring water, irrigation water and grass/algae were 70.11, 48.74 and 141.85 ppb (μg/kg), respectively. Arsenic levels were 486.73, 247.94, 127.92, 125.97 and 231.24 ppb in wool, skin, rumen contents, liver and kidney, respectively. Microscopic study revealed hyperemia and heavy parasitic infestation of the abomasal wall. Hyperemia and regeneration of renal tubule epithelia were observed in kidneys and hyperkeratosis, suppurative deep dermatitis and paniculitis were found in skin. Periacinar fibrosis and a poorly differentiated cholangiocarcinoma were seen in liver. In pancreas, reduced cell density of islands of Langerhans was noticeable. In the central nervous system, perineuronal and perivascular edema, ischemic changes in gray matter neurons, and microcavitation of white matter were present. Our findings confirmed chronic arsenic toxicosis in small ruminants in this region. It can be concluded that long-term consumption of arsenic contamined water and forage may be associated with chronic arsenic poisoning in domestic animals and human beings, with consequent neoplastic disease and induction of diabetes in this region.

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SUMMARYIn order to understand better the relationship between plant physical structure and rate of intake, twelve plant species were compared: Trifolium repens L., Medicago sativa L., Onobrychis viciifolia Scop., Desmodium intortum (Mill.) Urb., Brassica napus L., Spergula arvensis L., Lolium perenne L., Lolium multifiorum Lam., Festuca arundinacea Schreb., Chloris gayana Kunth, Cenchrus ciliaris L. and Zea mays L. The effects of early as opposed to late harvesting were compared. Plants were grown in a heated glasshouse in each of 2 years, examined for morphology, anatomy, neutral detergent fibre and digestibility, and fed to sheep for 1-min test periods to record rate of intake.Rate of intake was in the order tropical grasses < temperate grasses < broad-leaved species < S. arvensis. The range was wide: from 4·6 g dry matter/min with C. gayana to 15·6 g with S. arvensis. The lowest rate of intake was associated with the possession of a large number of veins, close together, in parallel lines (tropical grasses); a rather higher rate was associated with fewer veins, further apart, in parallel lines (temperate grasses); the next to the highest rate was associated with broad leaves, which had a network of veins; the highest rate was associated with thin stems containing thin vascular bundles. L. perenne, L. multifiorum, C. gayana and C. ciliaris were similar in the thickness of large and small leaf blade veins and leaf sheath veins. F. arundinacea and Z. mays had rather thicker veins. T. repens, 0. viciifolia. D. intortum and B. napus were similar in the thickness of petiole vascular bundles. Neutral detergent fibre was lowest in B. napus and highest in C. gayana and C. ciliaris. In vitro digestibility was highest in B. napus and lowest in D. intortum.

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Grazing the woodlands of semi-arid and arid Australia by domestic stock has extensively collapsed perennial *grass populations and thereby fostered woody plant increase. This study examined the pattern of grazing of individual grass plants by sheep in the landscape of a semi-arid woodland, and a model was developed describing the spatial and temporal influences on the grazing pressure placed on plants. Plants of two widespread perennial grass species differing in palatability, Eragrostis eriopoda and Thyridolepis mitchelliana, were examined weekly in two contrasting periods at the CSIRO Lake Mere Research Facility. The plants were located throughout the landscape in lightly- and heavily- stocked paddocks. Patterns of grazing in space and time were determined by examining the grazing of marked tillers. No preference was shown for previously ungrazed plants and only occasionally were previously grazed plants preferred. Thyridolepis mitchelliana plants were slightly preferred over E. eriopoda plants. Landscape zones receiving water and nutrients from elsewhere were preferred for grazing but the effect was weak. The foliage biomass of herbaceous plants in the immediate vicinity of a grass plant did not influence the number of tillers grazed nor the probability of the plant being grazed. Overall the defoliation of individual plants by sheep was weakly determined by landscape location, stocking level, plant species and prevailing forage on offer. The influence of spatial and temporal variation was small; random grazing of grass plants was the rule. This finding suggests that the grazing pressure on palatable perennial grasses in the paddocks of semi-arid woodlands will be similar across wooded landscapes and that spatial variability in plant mortality could be due to. the combined effect of plant water stress, which varies spatially and temporally, and grazing pressure which varies temporally but not spatially.

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Look at a field of almost any grain and the top of the crop will be almost as tabletop flat as the ground below. Modern genetics produce almost perfectly uniform crop varieties and hybrids with identical, “cookie-cutter” individual plants. But one crop stubbornly refuses to cooperate with breeders. Look at a field of mature hybrid grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench ssp.bicolor] and you will see rugged individualists sticking up above the fruited plain of sameness like grain elevators towering over a small Midwestern town. These “off type” sorghum plants can be mutants, or the result of the random outcrossing of parent plants in seed production fields from the pollen of volunteer plants from a previous year's crop, nearby grain, or forage sorghums. They may also come from crosses with weedy types growing nearby such as johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense(L.) Pers.] or the dreaded shattercane [Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench ssp.drummondii(Nees ex Steud.) de Wet ex Davidse] (Clark and Rosenow 1992). Just what is shattercane? Where did this “black sheep” of theSorghumclan come from? And why is it such a widespread weed today?

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Rising inorganic fertilizer prices have led to return to the use of organic nutrient sources to reduce cost and improve pasture productivity. The present study determined the response of Brachiaria ruziziensis and Brachiaria mulato II to swine manure application rates: effect on biomass yield, nutritive quality and acceptability by WAD sheep. The experiment was a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement laid out as a split-plot design with three swine manure application -1rates (0, 5, 10 t ha ) as the main plot and two Brachiaria species (B. ruziziensis and B. mulato II) as the sub-plot replicated three times. Growth parameters were determined at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after sowing, while dry matter yield was determined at 8 weeks after sowing. Chemical composition and in vitro gas production of the harvested grass samples were conducted and the acceptability of the forage material by WAD sheep was also determined. Results showed that B. ruziziensis was morphologically taller than B. mulato II at all weeks of growth. The heights of the plants significantly (P < 0.05) increased with increasing manure application rate at all weeks of growth. A significantly (P < 0.05) higher dry matter yield was recorded for -1B. ruziziensis than in B. mulato (6.24 vs. 4.16 t ha ). Dry matter yield of the plants increased as the rate of manure application increased. The crude protein content of both grasses increased significantly (P<0.05) as the level of manure inclusion increased. The highest significant (P<0.05) (14.00 ml/200mg DM) gas volume produced was recorded for B. -1ruziziensis fertilized with 10 t ha of manure while the least gas volume (7.50 ml/200mg DM) was recorded for B. mulato unfertilized at 24 hours of incubation. Brachiaria ruziziensis -1fertilized with 5 t ha of swine manure was most preferred by the sheep. In conclusion, herbage yield increased as the swine manure application rate increased, also chemical composition and acceptability by sheep was higher in B. ruzuziensis than with B. mulato II.

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The consumption of plants rich in plant secondary metabolites has been associated with improved resilience of parasitised hosts, i.e. their ability to perform under parasitic infection, compared to animals fed conventional feeds (Athanasiadou et al., 2007). Furthermore, such bio-active plants can improve host resistance, which refers to the host ability to regulate gastrointestinal nematode establishment, development, fecundity and survival (Athanasiadou et. al. 2008). Chichorium intybus L. (chicory) is such a bio-active forage and its potential anthelmintic activity is currently investigated as an alternative means to control parasitism in sheep production systems. In the present study we employed an in vitro assay to study a possible mechanism of anti-parasitic action arising from chicory, and to test whether this anthelmintic activity is affected by the vegetative stage of the plant.

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Microelements are important for stabilizing cell structures, but in deficient conditions they can stimulate alternative pathways and cause disease. This study was aimed to presents the monitoring data on the biogeochemical situation of pasture ecosystems in the Astrakhan region, southern Russia. Microelements in the collected samples from the pasture ecosystem, as well as the organs and tissues of Soviet Merino sheep, were determined by atomic absorption method. It was found a low level of microelements in soil, plants and forages of the ecosystem in the Astrakhan region. In addition, it was found a low level of microelements (selenium, iodine, and cobalt) in the organs and tissues of Merino sheep. Hypomicroelementosis in sheep leads to oxidative stress in animals, lower productivity and decrease the immunity of animals, which can be a predisposing for other diseases.

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The ‘gas test’ technique (Menke and Steingass, 1988) is becoming popular for predicting the feeding value of forages. However the relationships observed by Khazaal et al. (1995) between in vivo data and prediction measurements on grasses and legume hays were less good with the gas test technique than with the in situ technique. The present results are part of the work undertaken at the laboratory with the aim of improving the accuracy of the technique on various types of foods (Chenost et al., 1997).Seventy-nine forages (24 green (G) grasses, 38 grass hays (H), five G lucernes and 12 lucerne H) of known in vivo organic matter apparent digestibility (OMD) out of which 45 (17 G grasses, 16 grass H, five G lucernes and seven lucerne H) of known voluntary dry-matter intake (DMI), both measured with sheep, were chosen based on the range of variation of their OMD (from 0-490 to 0-808) and of their crude protein content (CP from 48 to 253 g/kg DM).

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The effect of crop sequence pasture species mixture and nitrogen fertiliser on gorse establishment was monitored over 23 months in land converted from pine forest to a dryland sheep pasture There were fewer gorse plants in plots sown initially into the forage crop triticale and then into grasslegume pasture than plots sown directly into grass or grasslegume pasture Once the triticale was grazed undersowing grasslegume pasture beneath rape to establish clover rich pastures suppressed gorse more than sowing grasslegume pasture directly There was no effect of nitrogen fertiliser applied at 150 kg N/ha/year on gorse plant density or cover Appropriate management tools to control gorse in forest to pasture conversions include a combination of crop sequences where forage crops are followed by pasture and the establishment of pasture legume rich herbage This type of pasture is preferred by livestock and results in high grazing intensity of gorse seedlings growing in the pasture

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Gastrointestinal strongyle nematodes (GIS) are included among the most important parasites of small ruminants. The widespread drug resistance and drug residues in products of animal origin have increased the interest in the search for natural compounds with anthelmintic activity as a valid alternative to current synthetic drugs. The aim of the present investigation was to test the ‘in vitro’ anthelmintic activity of saponins and prosapogenins from different Medicago species, selected for their importance as a forage crop worldwide for animal feeding. From these plants, saponin mixtures were extracted, purified and used at scalar concentrations to evaluate their anthelmintic activities against sheep gastrointestinal strongyles (GISs), by the egg hatch test. Treated and untreated controls were used as the comparison. Data were statistically analyzed, and EC50 and EC90 were also calculated. All saponins and prosapogenins showed inhibiting effects on GIS eggs in a concentration-dependent manner. At higher concentrations, most of them showed an efficacy comparable to the reference drug (Thiabendazole 3 µg/mL) (P < 0.001). With 1.72 mg/mL EC50 and 3.84 mg/mL EC90, saponin from M. polymorpha cultivars Anglona was the most active. Obtained results encourage further studies aimed at evaluating the efficacy ‘in vivo’ of saponins which resulted as most effective ‘in vitro’ in this study.

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The Patagonian rangelands are dominated by steppes interspersed with meadows (locally called mallines), which are small but permanently humid areas, characterised by high spring–summer quality and productivity of grasses and grasslikes. The region’s main economic activity is sheep ranching, either alone or mixed with goats and/or cattle, using horses as transportation animals. Overstocking has been signalled as one of the causes of rangeland degradation in this region. Knowledge of botanical composition of livestock diets provides valuable information helping in the design of management strategies to improve or maintain the forage resource. With this objective we studied the dietary botanical composition of domestic livestock on Patagonian ranches with and without mallines, at different seasons. It was found that the differences between diets of the same herbivore species on ranches with and without mallines were greater than the differences among the diets of the different herbivores species grazing in the same type of ranch. Grasses were the forage class most consumed by livestock in 76% of ranches without mallines and in 38% of the diets of ranches with them, with Stipa spp. being the main species consumed. Grass-like species were important in ranches with mallines, specially Juncus spp., and woody plants (Chuquiraga spp. as the most consumed) in ranches without mallines. Forbs hardly exceeded 10% in some spring diets of sheep, at both ranch types. Grasslikes constituted the major component of the spring and summer cattle diets, and constituted one-third of winter diets. For the rest of the herbivores studied, this forage class was important in spring–summer diets, but insignificant in the winter samples. Goats showed a greater use of the shrub in the less productive ranches and they were the most important consumers of shrubs on ranches with mallines during winter, which is the critical season of forage production. We conclude that the presence of mallines strongly condition the diet composition of the studied domestic herbivores. And, since the use of forage classes is different between these animal species, given a ranch type, the replacement of single-species grazing by mixed grazing can achieve the optimal possible use of the Patagonian rangelands.

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This study investigated the CIELab colour, water holding capacity, texture and oxidative stability of sheep meat from different breeds, finishing feeds, and retail packaging methods. Leg primal cuts from a subset of Composite wether lambs (n = 21) and Merino wether yearlings (n = 21) finished on a standard diet containing grain and cereal hay, a standard diet with camelina forage, or a standard diet with camelina meal, were used in this study. Semimembranosus and Vastus lateralis were packaged in vacuum skin packaging (VSP), or modified atmosphere packaging with 80% O2 and 20% CO2 (HioxMAP), or with 50% O2, 30% N2, and 20% CO2 (TrigasMAP). Packaging had a greater effect (p < 0.001) on L*, a*, b*, hue, and chroma than the effects from breed and finishing feed. Purge loss was affected by packaging. Cooking loss was affected by breed for Semimembranosus and packaging for both muscle types. HioxMAP and TrigasMAP increased WBSF and Texture Profile Analysis hardness of the meat compared to VSP. Lipid oxidation, assessed by TBARS, were lower in camelina forage or camelina meal supplemented diets and TrigasMAP compared to standard diet and HioxMAP, respectively. Total carbonyl and free thiol content were lower in VSP. Thus, supplementing feed with camelina forage or meal and lowering oxygen content in retail packaging by TrigasMAP or VSP are recommended to ensure optimal sheep meat quality.

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Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) cultivar Florex was seeded in May and cut at the vegetative stage on 5 August or at the 20% bloom stage on 25 August. The cut material was stored as unwilted silage or, after 26–30 h of field drying, as wilted silage. The silage types prepared from vegetative herbage were compared in the first feeding trial using 12 sheep per silage type. The silage types prepared from the 20% bloom stage herbage were compared in a second feeding trial using the 24 sheep from the first trial. Unwilted silage prepared from vegetative herbage contained less total-N and butyric acid, and more acid detergent fibre and ammonium-N than when this herbage was stored as wilted silage. Unwilted silage prepared from the 20% bloom stage herbage contained more total-N, soluble-N and ammonium-N and less propionic acid than wilted silage produced from herbage of the same maturity. All the silages contained low levels of volatile fatty acids and lactic acid due to restricted fermentation. Silage DM intake and digestibility in sheep were not affected by the type of silage produced within each stage of herbage maturity. Unwilted silage prepared from vegetative herbage provided lower intake, faecal excretion and retention of total-N in sheep than when this herbage was used as wilted silage. Silage types prepared from 20% bloom stage herbage showed no difference in total-N utilization in sheep. It was concluded that the seeding-year red clover harvested as unwilted or wilted silage in late August, can be used as a high quality buffer feed to meet forage shortfall due to severe winter kill. Key words: Red clover, silage, intake, digestibility, N retention

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Gas (CO2 and CH4) and ammonia production in the rumen represent major sources of lost carbon and nitrogen, respectively. The essential oils of some plants have been shown to decrease gas and ammonia production by selectively inhibiting rumen microbes. Particularly, those of Zataria multiflora (ZEO; thymol 21%, carvacrol 32%) and Mentha spicata (SEO; carvone 55%) were evaluated in vitro as ruminant-feed additives. The experiments employed mixed rumen microbes and a hyper-ammonia-producing bacterium (HAP) isolated from the rumen of a Mehraban sheep. Both ZEO and SEO decreased in vitro fibre digestibility and also gas production by mixed rumen microbes that were fermenting a typical growing-lamb diet. ZEO decreased ammonia concentration in mixed culture of rumen microbes, but SEO exerted the opposite effect. A bacterial isolate (MT8) was obtained from the rumen of a Mehraban sheep, and the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that it was most closely related to Clostridium bifermentans. Isolate MT8 exhibited rapid ammonia production when peptides were the growth substrate, which indicated that MT8 was a HAP. Both oils inhibited the growth and ammonia production of isolate MT8. However, ZEO decreased ammonia production at lower doses, and to a greater degree, than did SEO. These results indicated that both essential oils could potentially be used to modulate rumen fermentation. The detrimental effects on fibre digestion could be problematic in high-forage diets, and this requires further investigation. Isolate MT8 is the first described HAP from the Mehraban sheep rumen. Results on ammonia production by isolate MT8 and mixed rumen microbes indicate differential mode of action of each oil on this parameter.

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During 1986 and 1987, a weed survey of 187 New Brunswick cereal fields was conducted. A total of 76 species were identified of which 40 were considered agronomically important. About 50% of the species were perennial. Hemp-nettle (Galeopsis tetrahit), quack grass (Agropyron repens), sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella), ox-eye daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum), corn spurry (Spergula arvensis), and chickweed (Stellaria média) had the highest relative abundance values. Quack grass and hemp-nettle had the highest densities at 8.0 and 7.1 plants m-2, respectively. The highest weed density (103 plants m-2) was found in oats (Avena sativa) grown after a forage crop. The lowest density (24 plants m-2) was found in wheat (Triticum aestivum) grown after potatoes (Solarium tuberosum). Most of the abundant species were tolerant to MCPA, the most commonly used herbicide. Farmers could make major improvements in cereal weed control by choosing a herbicide that would control species tolerant to MCPA or 2,4-D, and using preplant or postharvest weed control to minimize the impact of perennial weeds.

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Early-maturing forage corn (Zea mays L.), DK-22, was harvested in Prince Edward Island twice, 3 and 6 wk before the occurrence of the first killing frost, and twice again, 2 and 4 wk after the first killing frost, and ensiled during each of the three experimental years. Each silage was fed to six sheep in order to measure voluntary intake and digestibility. Magnesium content was severely reduced by ensiling fresh forage from prefrost harvest. The postfrost silages were drier and higher in pH than the other silages. Detergent fiber levels were lower in the prefrost than in the postfrost silages (P < 0.05). Intake was slightly higher for prefrost silages and this was significant in the third year (P < 0.05). The depression in digestibility between prefrost and postfrost silages was highest for nitrogen. Using digestible dry matter intake as a measure of feed value, the silage harvested in mid-September was assigned a relative feed value of 100, and by comparison, the two postfrost silages were 16 and 34% lower in feed value, respectively.Key words: Relative feed value, forage quality, frosted crop

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<p>Despite the large number of active programs breeding improved forage plants, relatively little is known about the weightings that breeders consciously or sub-consciously give to specific traits when selecting individual plants, or that agronomists and producers use when assessing the relative merits of contrasting cultivars. This is in contrast to most modern animal breeding programs where the relative merits of novel genetics may be assessed against an index-based breeding objective. There are numbers of reasons why these technologies have not been used widely in plant breeding although applications in forest tree breeding are relatively common. A first step in defining breeding objectives for forage species can be to define the relative importance of specific traits and to interpret how these contribute to the relative potential advantage to a new plant or cultivar. One method of defining these weightings is through surveys of users followed by analyses of their combined experience. Therefore in this study, we have assessed the usefulness of discrete choice techniques in the development of weightings for specific traits in forage plant improvement based on views of both expert users (agronomists and farm consultants) and farmers who were asked to define their relative priorities when considering the renovation of a pasture. The surveys were conducted in three distinct regions of, or environments within, Australia of special relevance to meat production from beef and sheep (high rainfall, temperate (inland), and Mediterranean). In summary this study defines the focus of breeding objectives and selection criteria for different pasture species across production systems.</p>