This experiment aimed to examine the effects of the utilization of monocultures of ryegrass (R), sulla (S) or both of them (RS), and the prolongation of daily grazing from 8 h (8:00-16:00) to 24 h, evaluating behaviour, selectivity, intake and milk and cheese production of ewes at pasture. The experiment involved 42 Comisana ewes averaging 146±55 days in milk, divided into 6 homogeneous groups which, since 19th April for 42 days, continuously grazed under a stocking rate of 34 ewes/ha. Ewes involving in eating activity were higher in R and for 24-h grazing, in relation to lower intake rate. RS ewes reduced eating time and increased lying activity. During daytime, the eating gradually decreased in R and RS, whereas was constant in S; during night, eating was concentrated at sunset, especially in R. In RS, ewes showed higher selectivity for sulla than ryegrass. The pasture affected milk yield (563, 669 and 766 g/d for R, RS and S; P<0.001), superior for S ewes, in correspondence of their higher herbage intake (1126, 1210 and 1464 g/d of DM for R, RS and S; P<0.001). S milk was higher in casein (4.49, 4.54 and 4.72% for R, RS and S; P<0.05) and, as a consequence of higher protein intake of ewes, in urea (40.3, 46.5 and 51.2 mg/dl for R, RS and S; P<0.001). When grazing was extended to 24 h, herbage intake (1349 vs 1184 g/d of DM; P<0.001) and milk yield (725 vs 608 g/d; P<0.001) increased, whereas milk fat decreased (6.98 vs. 7.36%; P<0.05). S forage and 24-h grazing significantly improved BCS of ewes. Both sulla utilization and 24-h grazing induced in cheese a fat reduction and a total nitrogen increase, whereas cheese from sulla forage showed a more intense yellow colour. At triangle test, cheeses S8 and S24 were different (P<0.05). Results showed that sulla herbage may really constitute the exclusive forage source in diet of ewes and, when possible, the extension of daily grazing time more than 8 h is advantageous.
BONANNO A, DI GRIGOLI A, VARGETTO D, TORNAMBE G, ALICATA ML, DI MICELI G, et al. (2008). Effetti del pascolamento della sulla e/o della loiessa per 8 o 24 ore sul comportamento alimentare e sulla produzione lattiero-casearia di pecore Comisane. SCIENZA E TECNICA LATTIERO-CASEARIA, 59(3), 175-193.
Effetti del pascolamento della sulla e/o della loiessa per 8 o 24 ore sul comportamento alimentare e sulla produzione lattiero-casearia di pecore Comisane
BONANNO, Adriana;DI GRIGOLI, Antonino;VARGETTO, Daniela Anna;TORNAMBÈ, Gabriele;ALICATA, Maria Luigia;DI MICELI, Giuseppe;GIAMBALVO, Dario
2008-01-01
Abstract
This experiment aimed to examine the effects of the utilization of monocultures of ryegrass (R), sulla (S) or both of them (RS), and the prolongation of daily grazing from 8 h (8:00-16:00) to 24 h, evaluating behaviour, selectivity, intake and milk and cheese production of ewes at pasture. The experiment involved 42 Comisana ewes averaging 146±55 days in milk, divided into 6 homogeneous groups which, since 19th April for 42 days, continuously grazed under a stocking rate of 34 ewes/ha. Ewes involving in eating activity were higher in R and for 24-h grazing, in relation to lower intake rate. RS ewes reduced eating time and increased lying activity. During daytime, the eating gradually decreased in R and RS, whereas was constant in S; during night, eating was concentrated at sunset, especially in R. In RS, ewes showed higher selectivity for sulla than ryegrass. The pasture affected milk yield (563, 669 and 766 g/d for R, RS and S; P<0.001), superior for S ewes, in correspondence of their higher herbage intake (1126, 1210 and 1464 g/d of DM for R, RS and S; P<0.001). S milk was higher in casein (4.49, 4.54 and 4.72% for R, RS and S; P<0.05) and, as a consequence of higher protein intake of ewes, in urea (40.3, 46.5 and 51.2 mg/dl for R, RS and S; P<0.001). When grazing was extended to 24 h, herbage intake (1349 vs 1184 g/d of DM; P<0.001) and milk yield (725 vs 608 g/d; P<0.001) increased, whereas milk fat decreased (6.98 vs. 7.36%; P<0.05). S forage and 24-h grazing significantly improved BCS of ewes. Both sulla utilization and 24-h grazing induced in cheese a fat reduction and a total nitrogen increase, whereas cheese from sulla forage showed a more intense yellow colour. At triangle test, cheeses S8 and S24 were different (P<0.05). Results showed that sulla herbage may really constitute the exclusive forage source in diet of ewes and, when possible, the extension of daily grazing time more than 8 h is advantageous.
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