Qualitative evaluation of four subtropical grasses as standing hay: diet selection, rumen fermentation and partial digestibility by sheep

Abstract

The nutritive value of four subtropical grasses (Panicum maximum, Anthephora pubescens, Digitaria eriantha and Chloris gayana) standing hay were compared in terms of qualitative intake and partial digestibility by sheep. The species differed significantly in terms of diet quality selected by sheep grazing the standing hay. The rumen ammonia nitrogen (NH 3 -N), total volatile fatty acid and propionic acid concentrations of sheep grazing P. maximum and A. pubescens were higher than those sheep grazing D. eriantha and C. gayana standing hay. Organic matter intake (OMI) (g kg -1 W 0.75 d -1 ), nitrogen intake (g d -1 ), digesta flow, the total N flow, NH 3 -N flow, non-ammonia nitrogen (NAN) flow and NAN disappearance (g d -1 ) in the ileum were higher for sheep grazing P. maximum than for those grazing the other standing hays. The organic matter disappearance in the stomach and small intestine of sheep grazing P. maximum and D. eriantha standing hay was higher than for those sheep grazing either A. pubescens or C. gayana standing hay. The NAN flow/N intake were the highest for sheep grazing P. maximum and A. pubescens compared to C. gayana. The NAN digestibility was, however, not significantly different among the four species. The standing hays (except for C. gayana) seemed to have the capacity to meet the N requirement of the sheep for production, but the OMI (g kg -1 W 0.75 d -1 ) was not sufficient to support maintenance requirement of the sheep.

Ranking Species for Veld Restoration in Semi-Arid Regions Using Agronomic, Morphological and Chemical Parameters of Selected Grass Species at Different Developmental Stages under Controlled Environment

“…Anthephora pubescens and T. triandra had the highest NDF content at the elongation and maturity stages. These observations are lower to those reported by Matlebyane et al [68] in T. triandra of (723 g/kg DM), from three different chief areas of the Capricorn region in Limpopo province and again higher (653 g/kg DM) to the ones reported by van Niekerk & Hassen [69]. Based on observation the low NDF content (493.82 g/kg DM) of D. glomerata may have been a result of its thin stems and the high number of leaves.…”

A profile of South African sustainable animal production and greenhouse gas emissions

“…A series of articles that presented the estimates of direct GHGe of the four animal sectors of the beef cattle, small stock, game and monogastric industries ( Van Niekerk and Hassen, 2009 ; Du Toit et al, 2013a – d ; Hassen et al, 2015 ), laid a foundation for subsequent analyses of animal GHGe. The authors had selected Tier 2 methodologies quote IPCC (2006) “that requires detailed country-specific data on gross energy intake and methane conversion factors for specific animal categories.…”

Investigation of ram effect and eCG usage in progesterone based oestrous synchronization protocols on fertility of ewes following fixed time artificial insemination

“…Data was collected during March-May (autumn) breeding season at the small stock unit of the University of Pretoria experimental farm. The farm is located in Gauteng, South Africa (latitude: 25°44′30″S, longitude 28°15′30″E), with an average annual rainfall of 650 mm and dry autumn and winter seasons (Van Niekerk and Hassen, 2009). Data were collected from South African Mutton Merino (SAMM) ewes maintained under the paddock system, and grazed on native and grown pastures during the day for 8 h. During the night, the sheep were housed in pens, where phosphate mineral lick and water were provided ad libitum.…”

“…Data were collected from South African Mutton Merino (SAMM) ewes maintained under the paddock system, and grazed on native and grown pastures during the day for 8 h. During the night, the sheep were housed in pens, where phosphate mineral lick and water were provided ad libitum. The predominant native pasture species at the farm were: Panicum maximum, Anthephora pubescens, Eragrostis spp, Digitaria eriantha, Chloris gayana (Van Niekerk and Hassen, 2009). Chocolate maize (125−250 g per sheep per day) was also provided based on body condition of the ewes.…”