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- Performance of Sheep (Ovis aries L.) Raised in Confinement and Grazed...
Performance of Sheep (Ovis aries L.) Raised in Confinement and Grazed Under Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) Plantation with or without Concentrate Supplementation
Abstract:
The study was conducted at the Coconut Breeding Trials Unit, Panay State Polytechnic College (PSPC), Mambusao, Capiz from November 1997 to February 1999 to determine: (1) the influence of sheep raising on the herbage yield, botanical, and chemical composition of the native pasture under coconut plantation and yield of coconut trees; (2) the in vitro dry matter digestibility of the experimental ration; (3) the effects of two management practices on the productive and reproductive performance of sheep; (4) any interaction between management practices and supplementation on the performance of sheep; and (5) the cost and return of sheep raising under coconut plantation.
Herbage yield was determined through the quadrant method and botanical composition was determined by the line intercept method. The feeding value of the diets was calculated by in vitro dry matter digestibility and chemical analysis. Twentyfour indigenous Philippine female sheep and two rams were randomly allotted in a 2 x 2 factorial experiment. Factors tested were confinement versus grazing and with or without concentrate supplementation.
Results of the study showed that the grazing by sheep of native pasture under coconut plantation resulted in decreased herbage yield, decreased regrowth of grasses and legumes, and an increase in proportion of broadleaves and shrubs.
The in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of samples from the grazed pasture was significantly higher (p < .01) than ungrazed pasture in the middle of the study. However, there were no significant differences (p > .05) in IVDMD of the experimental ration before and after the experiment.
Sheep grazed under coconut plantation had significantly higher liveweight (p < .05) than confined sheep from the second to the fourth month when herbage was still abundant. Concentrate supplementation significantly improved liveweight (p < .05) of ewes during the same period. The average daily gain in weight of confined and grazed sheep with or without concentrate supplementation was not significantly different. Confined sheep provided with concentrate had higher dry matter intake (p < .01) than confined sheep without concentrate supplementation. No significant interaction between management practices and supplementation was observed.
At estrus, sheep grazed under coconut plantation resulted in heavier liveweight (p < .05) than the confined animals. Concentrate supplementation significantly (p < .01) resulted in higher concentration rate, lambing rate, and birth and weaning weights.
Grazing sheep with or without concentrate supplementation under coconut plantation did not affect (p > .05) the yield of nuts. The study showed that sheep should be allowed to graze in native pasture under coconut plantation and be given concentrate supplementation during dry season when forage is less available or of poor quality.
A sustainable sheep-coconut production system should improve the quality of life of the small-scale livestock raisers and coconut farmers.
