Grazing ruminants: Evaluation of their feeds and needs

J.L. Corbett

Division of Animal Production, CSIRO, Armidale, Australia

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1980, 40: 136-144

Some developments in methods for quantitative studies of pastoral production are discussed, including an electronic probe that measures pasture dry matter yield, the determination of energy requirements of grazing animals and detailed measurements on the digestion of grazed herbage. An explanation is given of an erroneously high estimate of the feed required for maintenance by undernourished grazing sheep. Requirements estimated with a calorimetric technique have shown agreement with factorial estimates. Differences among grasses and legumes in nutritional value appear to reflect complexities in the sites, rates, extent and products of their digestion.

Keywords: NZSAPAB;

Last Updated 12-09-1998