Growth rates of fat-tailed sheep tethered or free on range compared to free in a Leucaena leucocephala pasture

摘要

Dryseasonaveragedailyliveweightgainsofcastrated,growingLandimfat-tailedsheeptetheredonnativegrass(TR)orfree-rangedinacultivatedpasturewithaLeucaenaleucocephalaover-story(FL)werecomparedtosheepfree-rangedonnativegrass(FR).Duringtheyearwith591mmrainfall,growthrates(g/day)were15.2,37.8and25.8fortherespectivetreatments.Duringtheyearwith780mmrainfall,growthrateswere17.0,89.8and39.5fortherespectivetreatments.HighrainfallversuslowrainfallyeardifferencesingrowthratewerenotaslargeforTRanimals(12%greaterforhighrainfall)comparedtoFR(53%greater)orFL(138%greater).Thetrialindicatedthattetheringfat-tailedsheep,thuslimitinggrazingselectivity,decreasedgrowthratecomparedtountetheredanimals.Italsoindicatedthatsheepwithbothgreaterherbaceousbiomassandhighcrudeproteinleaves(fromL.leucocephala)toselectfromhadhighergrowthratecomparedtoanimalsinmixedcattle/sheepherdsonnativepasture.