Abstract
SUMMARYChromic oxide was used to assess the herbage intake of three tropical pastures mixtures namely: Cynodon plectostachyum and Centrosema pubescens (E); E plus Stylosanthes gracilis; Digitaria decumbens plus Centrosema pubescens and Stylosanthes gracilis, by-White Fulani (Zebu) steers and the use of faecal nitrogen to estimate digestibility of grazed herbage.Chromic oxide recoveries in faecal organic matter ranged from 94·60% in treatment F to ca. 97·2 and 97·5% in treatments E and G respectively.Positive relationships were found to exist between faecal organic matter nitrogen and herbage organic matter digestibility. Correlation coefficients of the ‘local’ regression equations obtained were positive but of low magnitude in some instances. Estimated mean organic matter intake was comparable to, but slightly lower than, the figures for animals of corresponding live weights in temperate countries while digestible organic matter intake was much lower.The mean organic matter digestibility values were ca. 70·2 and 66·7% respectively for the two grazing seasons studied.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
