Nutritive value of chicory (Cichorium intybus L) for venison
production
Kusmartono, T.N. Barry, P.R. Wilson, P.D. Kemp, K.J. Stafford
Department of Animal Science, Massey University, Palmerston North,
New Zealand
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1995,
55: 169173
A grazing trial using 24 Red and 24 Hybrid (0.75 Red; 0.25 Elk) deer
weaners was conducted from 1st March to 12th December 1993, to compare
the feeding value of chicory (Cichorium intybus L) with that of
perennial ryegrass (Lollium perenne)/white clover (Trifolium
repens) pasture for increasing venison production by one year of age.
The deer were rotationally grazed using dry matter allowances of 6, 6 and 7
kg DM/head/day in autumn, winter and spring respectively. Relative to deer
grazing pasture, deer grazing chicory had higher voluntary feed intake (VFI),
slightly lower grazing (ie. eating) time and substantially lower ruminating
time. Hybrid deer had faster liveweight gain (LWG) than Red deer and were
heavier at the end of all seasons (P<0.01). LWG was greater on chicory than
on perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture during autumn (P<0.01) and there
were forage x genotype interactions for liveweight at the end of autumn and
spring, with Hybrid deer (especially stags) being heavier when grazed on
chicory. Carcass weight for Red and Hybrid stags was 64.9 and 73.0 kg
when grazed on chicory and 56.6 and 57.0 kg when grazed on perennial
ryegrass/white clover pasture. Grazing chicory advanced the date of first cut
velvet antler by 28 days and increased the weight of total (first cut+regrowth)
velvet antler. It is concluded that grazing chicory increased venison
production, especially in Hybrid stags with increased growth potential, and
increased velvet antler production.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Cichorium intybus; Red deer; Hybrid deer
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Last Updated 25-01-1997
