PF 23. Kikuyo (Pennisetum clandestinum) behaviour grazed by lambs at different alfalfa levels offer
- Z. Orozco 1
- Pedro A. Martinez 2
- A. Hernandez 1
- J. Perez 1
- C. Garcia 1
- 1 Programa de Ganadería, Colegio de Postgraduados, Montecillo, México.
- 2 Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, México.
ISSN: 1022-1301, 1022-1301
Year of publication: 1997
Issue Title: Proceedings XV ALPA meeting 1
Volume: 5
Issue: 3
Type: Article
More publications in: Archivos Latinoamericanos de Producción Animal
Abstract
The objective was to determine residual forage mass in a Kikuyo pasture and lamb live-weiht gain when alfalfa is offered as supplement. Treatments were level of alfalfa offered to provide 0, 15 or 30 % of daily protein requirement of growing lambs.Experimental design was a complete random with four replications, experimental unit was a Kikuyo pasture with three lambs. Residual forage mass was higher (P < .05) when no alfalfa was offered, and the lowest residual forage mass was found at the highest level of alfalfa offered. Lamb live-weight gain was the lowest with no supplement of alfalfa, 15 and 30 % of supplement gave the same lamb live-weight gain. Supplementation with alfalfa increased lamb live-weight gain and defoliation of Kikuyo pasture.