Pasture grass conversion in digestive tract of red deer over different grazing periods

摘要

Deer farming is an alternative to traditional animal farming which also promotes a more economic use of pasture grass resources in Latvia. 61 holdings of fanned red deer and fallow deer have been registered in this country (Paeglits et al. 2006). Overthe summer season, pasture grass is the main feed source for red deer (Cervus elaphus) (Miller 2004). No matter how much feed animals get, it is of no use unless it can be digested. This is the process that happens in the stomach and gut, when the feedis broken down (Tuckwell 2003). The goal of this study is evaluation of changes in nutritive value of the uncultivated pasture grass over different periods of the grazing season in connection with feed conversion in the digestive tract of red deer.