Effect of dehydrated lucerne on lamb performance and protein and energy deposition in the body

Abstract

Forty Polish Merino lambs weighing about 17 kg were divided into five groups and fed five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets containing 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% dehydrated lucerne (DL). The animals were fattened to a final live weight of about 36 kg. As the DL concentration in diets increased from Oto 10%, a significant (P^ 0.05) parallel rise of mean daily live weight gains from 173 to 191 g/d was observed, followed by a decrease of gains when the DL content increased to 15 and 20%. Lambs fed the 10% DLdiet used the smallest amount of protein and energy for a unit of gain. The level of DL in the diet did not have a significant effect on the chemical composition and energetic value of 1 kg empty body weight (EBW). The highest value of the utilization coefficient of metabolizable energy available for growth (k r ) was found in lambs fed diets with 10% DL (0.33), and the lowest in animals from the control group (0.27). Lambs fed 10% DL deposited significantly (PsgO.05) more protein in EBW (29.52 g/d), in wool gain (3.90 g/d) and in total gain (33.42 g/d) than animals from the control group.

Fattening of Polish Lowland lambs on diets with different energy and protein levels

“…In groups S and E that received 16%> crude protein in DM, utilisation of metabolisable energy available for growth (k f ) was somewhat better (0.31; 0.31 vs 0.28) than in group L, fed the diet with a 14%> protein content. Urbaniak (1994) found similar (k f -0.27 to 0.33) utilisation of energy available for growth in Polish Merino lambs.…”

“…The liveweight gains of Polish Lowland lambs, a breed obtained by crossing primitive local breeds mainly with the Polish Merino and with Kent, and in some regions of Poland to a limited degree also with Leine and Texel, are larger than those of Merino lambs and equal from 220 to 240 g (Paj^k et al, 1993;1994). The lambs of the Polish Merino usually have smaller gains, about 170-190 g (Urbaniak, 1986170-190 g (Urbaniak, , 1994170-190 g (Urbaniak, , 1995a.…”