Academic literature on the topic 'Lucerne feed'

It is common to have a shortage of high quality summer feed on hill country farms in New Zealand, due to a deterioration of pasture growth during the drier months. Lucerne produces high quality feed during summer on lowland fields; however, its potential in hill country is unknown. This study measured the persistence of lucerne and evaluated its seasonal production relative to pasture. These results were then modelled for a typical sheep and beef farm to assess the potential benefits of including lucerne on the farm. Monthly growth rates of lucerne (six cultivars) and pasture were measured pregrazing, and lucerne viability was assessed at the end of the five-year study. Lucerne was successfully established and maintained on hill country for five years. On average, the total annual production of lucerne and pasture were similar, with only the highest yielding cultivar 'Rere' consistently outproducing pasture on an annual basis. Lower spring production of lucerne was compensated for by higher summer growth rates of 62 kg DM/ha/day, compared with 34 kg DM/ha/day for pasture. The extra summer feed from lucerne enabled a model farm that included 12.5% lucerne to carry more animals and produce lambs of heavier slaughter weight than on a pasture only basis. This gave a predicted increase in the gross margin of 3%. The impact of lucerne on other farms must be modelled individually to establish the best system to utilise the additional high quality summer feed. Key words: lucerne, modelling, quality summer feed

Two-year-old ewes from 2 Merino lines selected for higher clean fleece weight were compared with their control line when given a lucerne hay diet and a lower quality diet of mixed wheaten and lucerne hays. There were no differences between lines in voluntary feed consumption, feed digestibility, urea synthesis and excretion, or renal function. Voluntary feed consumption, digestibility, urea synthesis and excretion, glomerular filtration rate, and urea and creatinine clearances were higher on the higher quality lucerne hay diet; renal tubular function was not affected by diet. Water intake was higher in the selection lines; consequently, these sheep produced more of a less concentrated urine. The renal clearance of endogenous true creatinine was significantly greater than the glomerular filtration rate, indicating that creatinine was secreted in the kidney tubules. The results support the conclusion that differences between selection lines in physiological parameters not directly associated with wool follicle function are unlikely to be consistent enough to be useful predictors of genetic merit for fleece weight.

The most widespread perennial leguminous grass is lucerne (Medicago sativa L.). Lucerne is a high nutritive value legume that is grown for its feed value, its contribution of legume nitrogen to the soil and for its deep root system and ability to use water. Lucerne is rated on its winter activity level with varieties having high or low winter growth activity. Lucerne is suited for soils with a pH (CaCl2) between 5.5 and 8.0. Rooting depth of lucerne is constrained by poor soil structure, acidity, compaction, salinity and waterlogging. Lucerne can increase the capacity of soils to store water because of its deep roots and perennial life-cycle. The role of lucerne is exposed in a feed production. Climatic, soil, genetic and management factors and their interactions influence lucerne production. The separate elements of technology of its growing are considered in this article. The value of lime treatment has been exposed in growth and development of this culture. Influence of inoculation, growing technique, presowing seed treatment on the thickness of lucerne plants (Medicago sativa L.) has been presented. With the introduction of new varieties of perennial legumes, namely alfalfa sowing, there is a need to develop elements of cultivation technology and to establish their impact on grass density during the growing season. To create a highly productive agrophytocenosis of alfalfa for sowing due to the maximum preservation of plants in the grassland, it is advisable to grow it uncovered with the application of herbicide on the background of mineral fertilizers and application of full lime with pre-sowing seed treatment with Rhizobophyte in combination with Emistim С. Keywords: lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), lime treatment, inoculation, growing technique, safety of plants.

Lucerne is a deep-rooted herbaceous perennial legume with high levels of summer production and adaptation to a broad range of agro-ecological environments in southern Australia. The ability of lucerne to extend the growing season of winter-based pasture and respond quickly to rainfall after periods of drought makes it one of the most valuable plants in our feed base. However, for all the advantages of lucerne, it remains underutilised. Lucerne is often considered to be a speciality fodder crop, requiring careful management to achieve high levels of production and persistence. This paper investigates the opportunity of whole-farm integration of lucerne; from speciality fodder crop to traditional pasture. The future trends of lucerne production in temperate grazing and intensive dairy systems are discussed in relation to breeding objectives identified to meet these demands. If lucerne is to be used more commonly as a pasture, the plant and systems must adapt. This paper investigates the plant traits and management principles that are important for growing lucerne in mixtures with other plants and improving the integration of lucerne into the whole-farm plan.

Comparisons were made of the voluntary intake and digestion of diets based on chopped straw, chopped lucerne and ground lucerne by lambs (c. 23 kg body weight) and adult sheep (c. 53 kg), and of feed intake and digestion by larger lambs (c. 35 kg) and adult sheep (c. 53 kg) grazing senescent pasture. With both the chopped and ground diets the lambs (i) had digesta of finer texture, (ii) cleared larger particles (>600 �m sieve) more slowly from the rumen, (iii) cleared organic matter more rapidly from the omasum and caecum + proximal colon, and (iv) performed more rumination bites. With the chopped diets, digestibility and feed intake pcr unit metabolic body weight were similar for lambs and adults but the lambs (i) spent more time eating, (ii) had more digesta in the reticulorumen per unit reticulo-rumen digesta free body weight, (iii) clcarcd organic matter from the abomasum more rapidly, and (iv) had less ash in abomasal digesta (straw-based diet only). With the ground lucerne diet the lambs (i) consumed more feed per unit of metabolic body weight, (ii) regurgitated more rumination boluses and (iii) cleared organic matter more rapidly from the reticulorumen. At pasture, it was estimated that the lambs (i) consumed more feed per unit metabolic body weight, (ii) had more digesta in the reticulo-rumen per unit rcticulo-rumen digesta free body weight, (iii) clearcd organic matter more rapidly from the omasum and abomasum, (iv) tended to have digesta of finer texture and (v) had less ash in abomasal digesta (-64%). The differences between the lambs and adults and their possible implications arc discussed, and it is suggested that with lower-quality roughages the smaller lamb may be placed at a disadvantage, relative to the adult, because of an inability to exhibit a higher feed intake commensurate with its higher maintenance energy need.

Producing lamb with good eating quality – flavour, tenderness and juiciness – is essential for consumer satisfaction. Forages such as lucerne and plantain can play an important role in sustainable lamb production; however, it is important to ensure that these feeds do not introduce undesirable flavours. We evaluated the potential for backgrounding (post-weaning) and finishing diets (11 weeks pre-slaughter) to affect lamb eating quality. Lambs were backgrounded on either (1) a combination of three cultivars of perennial ryegrass or (2) a combination of lucerne, ryegrass and fescue and then finished (76 days) on one of three forages; (1) perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), (2) lucerne (Medicago sativa) or (3) plantain (Plantago lanceolota). After slaughter, striploin (M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum) and topside (M. semimembranosus) muscles were removed. Grilled striploins were subjected to consumer acceptance studies and quantitative descriptive analysis by a trained sensory panel. Grilled meat from lambs finished on lucerne and plantain was equally or more acceptable than on ryegrass, with no negative impacts on flavour. The backgrounding system affected flavour attributes as well as tenderness. Grilled lamb volatiles were comprehensively characterised by gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry. Specific flavour-related sensory attributes were modelled using semi-quantitative volatile data. Targeted analysis of branch-chained fatty acids, 4-methylphenol and 3-methylindole indicated no significant effects of backgrounding regime or finishing feed. We conclude that neither lucerne nor plantain had negative impacts on lamb flavour although different combinations of backgrounding and finishing feeds may affect lamb tenderness.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of pasture (cocksfoot cv. porto (CFP) and lucerne) and supplementation of grazing lambs with pellets with or without plant oil infusion on performance and carcass characteristics. Forty-eight White Suffolk x Corriedale first-cross weaners were randomly assigned to one of four treatments in a split-plot experimental design: (1) CFP or lucerne pastures only (control); CFP or lucerne pastures supplemented with pellets infused with oil from (2) canola (CO); (3) rice bran (RBO) and (4) no oil pellets (NOP). Lucerne and CFP pastures were considered as the main plot effect, and played the role of basal pastures. Lambs grazing lucerne or CFP pastures with pellet supplementation achieved carcass weights of >22 kg at 9 weeks, which met the specific requirements of Asian and United States of America export markets. Pellet supplementation did not affect final liveweight, average daily gain, body length, withers height and chest girth of grazing lambs. Dressing percentage of lambs grazing CFP pasture with pellet supplementation and lambs grazing lucerne pasture with RBO supplementation increased compared with lambs on pasture grazing only. Although supplementing lambs on CFP pasture with CO had relatively negligible impact on feed conversion efficiency, it significantly increased over the hook trade value compared with lambs grazing CFP pasture only. In conclusion, lucerne or CFP pasture plus pellet supplementation produced lamb carcasses >22 kg suitable for the export market. CO had relatively low feed cost per unit daily gain (0.9 $AU/kg on CFP pasture and 0.6 $AU/kg on lucerne pasture) and could also be used as a tactical supplementation tool for increasing the carcass weight of lambs grazing CFP pasture.

Ensiled grass is presently the major source of winter feed for dairy cows and other livestock in the UK. However, the quality and quantity of protein in grass silage tends to limit its use for milk production, which means that bought-in concentrate supplements must be fed to maintain high production levels. Whilst forage legumes such as red clover and lucerne appear to have potential as home-grown, protein-rich feeds for livestock (Frame et al., 1998), there is very little information available regarding their nutritive value when ensiled. The aim of this study was to compare the N balance of lambs offered red clover and lucerne silages harvested at two different growth stages.

In Mediterranean-type environments, livestock productivity in mixed livestock and cropping enterprises often is limited by a period of feed scarcity that extends from late autumn, when dry residues of crops and pastures from the previous growing season are being exhausted, through to early winter when green feed is just commencing. Dual-purpose crops have been developed as a source of winter green feed, while still being a source of grain at harvest. These crops increase feed availability and boost livestock productivity. This study evaluates the role and value of dual-purpose wheat and canola crops, in combination with lucerne, in mixed-enterprise farming systems that experience a Mediterranean-type climate. Using bioeconomic modelling, the value of dual-purpose crops is assessed under a range of yield, price and technical assumptions. For an Australian study region, the robust finding is that the joint inclusion of dual-purpose crops and lucerne greatly increases the farming-system profits. Under standard assumptions when the farming system is operated to maximise profit, farm profit increases by AU$68 000 (or 88% over the base case) following the inclusion of both dual-purpose wheat and canola. The increase in profit is attributable to wool and sheep sales rising by 261%, yet the proportions of crop and pasture remain similar with or without the dual-purpose crops. Importantly, the proportion of the pasture area that is lucerne greatly increases to complement the increase in feed availability generated by the dual-purpose crops. The resultant large increase in feed availability in winter and summer allows the stocking rate to increase so sheep numbers and sheep turn-off become the main source of the increase in profit. Sensitivity analysis shows that even with significant commodity price fluctuations and further reduction in grain yield caused by grazing, and exclusion of lucerne, inclusion of dual-purpose crops in these farming systems still increases farm profit.

SUMMARYA grazing experiment, conducted for 22 weeks in 1992/93 at Aorangi Research Station, AgResearch Grasslands, Manawatu, New Zealand, compared the productivity of weaned lambs grazing Lotus corniculatus (birdsfoot trefoil) and lucerne (Medicago sativa). Effects of condensed tannins (CT) in lotus were evaluated by studying the responses of lambs to twice daily oral supplementation with polyethylene glycol (PEG). A rotational grazing system with restricted feed allowance was used. Measurements were made of pre- and post-grazing herbage mass, the composition of the feed on offer and diet selected, voluntary feed intake (VFI), liveweight gain (LWG), carcass growth, wool growth and the concentration of metabolites in rumen fluid. For both lotus and lucerne swards, the diet selected was mainly leaf. Lotus contained 34 g total CT/kg dry matter in the diet selected, whilst there were essentially no CT in lucerne. Compared to lambs grazing lucerne, lambs grazing lotus had slightly lower VFI, and higher LWG, carcass weight gain, carcass dressing-out percentage and wool growth. PEG supplementation had no effect on these measurements or upon the composition of rumen fluid in lambs grazing lucerne. However, in lambs grazing lotus, PEG supplementation reduced wool growth (10·9 ν. 12·1 g/day), slightly reduced LWG (188 ν. 203 g/day), increased rumen ammonia concentration, and increased the molar proportions of /.so-butyric, isovaleric and n-valeric acids and protozoa numbers in rumen fluid. PEG supplementation did not affect carcass gain, carcass fatness or the molar proportion of rumen acetic, propionic or n-butyric acids in lambs grazing lotus. It was concluded that the principal effect of CT in growing lambs grazing lotus was to increase wool growth without affecting VFI, thereby increasing the efficiency of wool production, that the greater rate of carcass gain of lambs grazing lotus than those grazing lucerne was mainly caused by factors other than CT and that CT did not affect the rumen fermentation of carbohydrate to major volatile fatty acids.

Thesis (MScAgric)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An experiment was conducted to determine whether the quality of lucerne hay could be improved by artificial drying in a forced air bulk dryer (FABD) in comparison to lucerne hay produced by natural drying in the field. Lucerne fields were divided into four blocks of equal size and blocks were randomly assigned to each of the two treatments (natural or artificial drying). Lucerne was harvested at an early to mid flowering stage on six occasions. In two blocks, cut lucerne was left in the field to dry. Material in the remaining two blocks were left in the field for an initial drying period of no longer than 24 hours, after which it was transferred to a FABD. Samples oflucerne were taken at the time of harvest and then at regular intervals (on average 0, 4, 8,22,26,29,47,50,53, 56, 58,69, 72, 76 and 80 hours after cutting) in the field and in the FABD until the material was dry enough for baling (ca. 15-18% moisture). Collected lucerne samples were dried in a forced draught oven until constant mass to determine moisture content. The rate of moisture loss was compared. Samples of the lucerne hay in the field and in the FABD were taken after baling to determine forage quality by means of chemical analysis. Samples were analysed for crude protein (CP), total digestible nutrients (TDN), digestible organic matter (DOM), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content. Good weather conditions for natural drying during the trial period resulted in lucerne hay of similar chemical composition. Naturally dried lucerne hay had CP, ADF and NDF contents of 17.3, 41.2 and 48.0%, respectively, while values for artificially dried lucerne were 17.6, 40.6 and 47.3%. It was concluded that artificial drying of lucerne does probably not produce lucerne of a better quality than field drying under good weather conditions. In the following trials eight ruminally cannulated cows (four Jerseys and four Holsteins) were used to compare protein and fibre degradability of lucerne harvested at different stages of maturity (ie. 4, 5 and 6 weeks' regrowth), and of different lucerne products (ie. lucerne hay, lucerne leaves and 8% leaves added to hay), dried in a forced air bulk dryer. All cows received a total mixed lactation diet for the duration of the trial period. The first in situ rumen degradability trial was conducted with lucerne harvested at three stages of maturity namely after 4,5 and 6 weeks' regrowth. Bags were incubated in the rumen for time intervals of 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48 and 72 hours. Samples were analysed for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and neutral-detergent fibre (NDF) content. The effective DM, protein and NDF degradabilities of lucerne hay did not differ (P>0.05) between Holstein and Jersey cows. In Holsteins, DM degradability values calculated at an outflow rate of 0.05/h for lucerne harvested after 4, 5 and 6 weeks' regrowth were 63.1, 57.1 and 55.0%, respectively. Values of 64.6, 58.6 and 55.7% were obtained in Jerseys. CP degradability values for lucerne harvested after 4, 5 and 6 weeks' regrowth were 81.7, 77.2 and 77.6% in Holsteins and 81.3, 78.2 and 79.4% in Jerseys. NDF degradability values for lucerne harvested after 4, 5 and 6 weeks' regrowth were 35.8, 45.5 and 23.2% respectively in Holsteins and 35.1, 45.9 and 24.8% in Jerseys. Analysis of the effective DM, protein and NDF degradabilities across breeds indicated differences between lucerne harvested after 4, 5 and 6 weeks' regrowth. Rumen degradability of DM and protein was the highest for lucerne harvested after 4 weeks' regrowth. DM degradability values oflucerne harvested after 4,5 and 6 weeks' regrowth calculated at a flow rate of 0.05/h were 63.9, 57.9, 55.4%, respectively, while protein degradability values were 81.5, 77.7 and 78.5%. The lowest ruminal NDF degradability values were found for lucerne harvested after 6 weeks' regrowth. Values for NDF degradability calculated at a flow rate of 0.05/h for lucerne harvested after 4, 5 and 6 weeks' regrowth were 35.5, 45.7 and 23.7%, respectively. These results indicated that lucerne quality decreased in terms of DM, protein and NDF degradability as the plants mature. The second in situ rumen degradability trial was conducted with three different lucerne components dried in a forced air bulk dryer, namely lucerne hay, lucerne leaves and lucerne hay + 8% leaves. The procedure followed was the same as in the first in situ trial. Dacron bags, containing samples of the lucerne components were incubated in the rumen for time intervals of 0, 2, 4, 8, 16,24,48 and 72 hours. Samples were also analysed for DM, CP and NDF content and compared both between breeds and across breeds. DM and protein degradability values (rate and effective degradability) of the artificially dried lucerne hay were higher in Jerseys than in Holsteins. DM degradability values calculated for Holsteins at a flow rate of 0.05/h for lucerne hay, lucerne leaves and lucerne hay + 8% leaves were 57.6, 66.5 and 61.4%, respectively, while protein degradability values of 76.9, 75.5 and 77.9% were obtained. DM degradability values calculated for Jerseys were 62.9, 69.1 and 61.7%, respectively, while protein degradability values of 82.4, 77.6 and 78.5% were obtained. Analysis of the mean disappearance values across breeds indicated that protein degradability of lucerne hay in the rumen was higher than that of lucerne leaves. Protein degradability values calculated at a flow rate of 0.05/h for lucerne hay and lucerne leaves were 80.1 and 76.5% respectively. The NDF degradability of lucerne hay was, however, lower than what it was for lucerne leaves (24.6 vs. 29.7%).
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Studies omtrent die voedingswaarde van lusern vir melkkoeie. 'n Eksperiment is uitgevoer om te bepaal of die kwaliteit van lusernhooi verbeter kan word deur gebruik te maak van kunsmatige droging in plaas van die tradisionele landdroging. Lusernlande is in vier blokke verdeel en blokke is ewekansig aan elk van die twee behandelings (kunsmatige en landdroging) toegeken. Gesnyde materiaal in twee van die blokke is op die land gelaat vir die duur van die drogingsproses. Die materiaal in die oorblywende twee blokke is op die land gelaat vir 'n aanvanklike drogingsperiode van maksimum 24 uur, waarna dit in 'n massa-droogoond geplaas is. Lusernmonsters is net na sny op die land geneem en daarna met gereelde (gemiddeld 4,8,22,26,29,47,50, 53, 56, 58, 69, 72, 76 en 80 uur na sny) intervalle op die land en in die droër totdat die materiaal droog genoeg was om te baal. Lusernmonsters is in 'n droogoond gedroog totdat 'n konstante massa bereik is vir die bepaling van die voginhoud van die materiaal. Die tempo van vogverlies van die materiaal in die massadroër en op die land is bepaal. Monsters van die lusernhooi wat op die land en in die oond gedroog is, is na baal geneem en die chemiese samestelling van die lusernhooi is bepaal. Monsters is ontleed vir ruprotein- (RP), totale verteerbare voedingstof- (TVV), verteerbare organiese materiaal- (VOM), suur bestande vesel (SBV) en neutraal bestande vesel (NBV)-inhoud. Weersomstandighede was ideaal vir natuurlike droging van lusern en dit het aanleiding gegee daartoe dat die chemiese samestelling van die kunsmatig- en natuurlik gedroogde lusernhooi nie veel verskil het nie. Die RP, ADF en NDF inhoud van natuurlik gedroogde lusernhooi was 17.3,41.2 en 48.0% terwyl waardes van 17.6,40.6 en 47.3% vir kunsmatig gedroogde lusernhooi verkry is. Daar is bevind dat die kunsmatige droging van lusern nie 'n hoër kwaliteit hooi lewer as wat verkry kan word tydens landdroging wanneer weersomstandighede gunstig is nie. Hierna is twee degradeerbaarheidstudies gedoen. Agt koeie (vier Holsteins en vier Jerseys) met rumenkannulas, is gebruik om die proteïen- en veseldegradeerbaarheid van verskillende lusernkomponente te vergelyk. Lusern op verskillende groeistadia gesny, asook verskillende lusernprodukte wat kunsmatig gedroog is, is vergelyk. Al die koeie het gedurende die proeftydperk 'n hoë-konsentraat laktasierantsoen ontvang. Die eerste in situ degradeerbaarheidstudie is gedoen met lusern wat na 4-, 5- en 6 weke hergroei gesny is. Sakkies met lusernmonsters is in die rumen geplaas vir 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24,48 en 72 uur onderskeidelik. Monsters is na inkubasie in die rumen vir die DM-, RPen NBV -inhoud daarvan ontleed. Daar is bevind dat die DM-, proteïen en NBV degradeerbaarhede van lusernhooi nie verskil het (P.0>05) tussen Holstein- en Jerseykoeie nie. DM degradeerbaarhede wat by 'n deurvloeitempo van 0.05/h in Holsteinkoeie bereken is vir lusern wat na 4-,5- en 6 weke hergroei gesny is, was onderskeidelik 63.1, 57.1 en 55.0%. Die waardes wat vir Jerseys bereken is, was onderskeidelik 64.6,58.6 en 55.7%. Vir lusern wat na 4-,5- en 6 weke hergroei gesny is, was RP degradeerbaarhede 81.7, 77.2 en 77.6%, onderskeidelik, vir Holsteinkoeie en 81.3, 78.2 en 79.4%, onderskeidelik, vir Jerseys. NDFdegradeerbaarhede vir lusern wat na 4-,5- en 6 weke hergroei gesny is, was 35.8,45.5 en 23.2%, onderskeidelik, vir Holsteins en 35.1, 45.9 en 24.8%, onderskeidelik, vir Jerseys. 'n Vergelyking van die DM-, proteïen- en NBV-degradeerbaarhede wat gedoen is met die saamgevoegde data van al die diere, het daarop gedui dat verskille bestaan tussen die lusern wat na 4-, 5- en 6 weke hergroei gesny is. Die lusern wat na 4 weke hergroei gesny is, het die hoogste DM- en proteïendegradeerbaarheid in die rumen getoon. DMdegradeerbaarhede wat bereken is teen 'n deurvloei tempo van 0.05/h vir lusern wat na 4, 5- en 6 weke hergroei gesny is, was onderskeidelik 63.9,57.9 en 55.4% en proteindegradeerbaarhede was 81.5, 77.5 en 78.5%. Lusern wat na 6 weke hergroei gesny is het die laagste NDF-degradeerbaarheid gehad. Waardes wat bereken is teen 'n deurvloeitempo van 0.05/h vir lusern wat na 4-,5- en 6 weke hergroei gesny is, was onderskeidelik 35.5, 45.7 en 23.7%. Hierdie resultate dui daarop dat die kwaliteit van lusern afneem in terme van DM-, protein- en NBV-degradeerbaarhede namate die plante meer volwasse raak. Die tweede rumendegradeerbaarheidstudie is gedoen met 3 lusernprodukte wat in 'n massadroër gedroog is nl. lusernhooi, lusernblare en lusernhooi waarby 8% lusernblare gevoeg is. Dieselfde proefprosedure as tydens die eerste degradeerbaarheidstudie is gevolg. Sakkies met lusernmonsters, is in die rumen geplaas vir 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48 en 72 uur. Monsters is ontleed vir DM-, proteïen- en NBV inhoud. Daar is gevind dat die proteïen degradeerbaarheid (tempo en effektiewe degradeerbaarheid) van kunsmatig gedroogde lusernhooi, hoër was by Jerseys as by Holsteins. DM degradeerbaarhede wat in Holsteinkoeie teen 'n deurvloeitempo van 0.05/h bereken is vir lusernhooi, lusernblare en lusernhooi + 8% blare, was 57.6, 66.5 en 61.4%, onderskeidelik, terwyl proteïen degradeerbaarhede 76.9, 75.5 en 77.9%, onderskeidelik, was. Vir Jerseys is DM-degradeerbaarhede van 62.9,69.1 en 61.7%, onderskeidlik, bereken terwyl proteïendegradeerbaarhede 82.4, 77.6 en 78.5% was. Gemiddelde verdwyningswaardes, wat bereken is deur data van al die diere saam te gebruik, dui daarop dat die proteïen degradeerbaarheid van lusernhooi in die rumen hoër was as in die geval van lusernblare. Die proteïen degradeerbaarhede wat bereken is teen 'n deurvloeitempo van 0.05/h, was 80.1 en 76.5%, onderskeidelik, vir lusernhooi en lusernblare. Die NBV -degradeerbaarheid van lusernhooi was egter laer as vir lusernblare (24.6 vs. 29.7%).

Thesis (MScAgric (Animal Sciences))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the production of slaughter ostriches in a grazing environment at different levels of supplementary feed. Two grazing trials were conducted. In the first trial, one group of finisher ostriches (six months old) was put into a feedlot and received a complete finisher diet. The other four groups were allowed to graze lucerne pasture (stocking rate of 15 birds/ha) with 1500, 1000, 500, and 0g supplementary feed/bird/day. Pasture production and intake were measured. There was no difference (P >0.05) between the end mean live weights of the feedlot ostriches and those two grazing groups receiving 1500 or 1000g supplementation. The average daily gain (ADG) of the group receiving 1000g supplementation was lower (P <0.05) than the ADG of the group receiving 1500g supplementation, but all three groups reached a mean target slaughter weight of 95kg within the 154 days of the study. Therefore, pastures together with the correct supplementation (at least 1000g/bird/day) can replace complete feeds in the finishing phase of slaughter ostriches and can play an important role in the production of these birds. For lucerne intake, a quadratic relationship (P <0.01) was found between pasture dry matter (DM) intake (g/bird/day) and supplementary feed intake (g/bird/day). The maximum lucerne intake level (1692.8g/bird/day) was achieved at 619.6g supplementary feed/bird/day. In the second grazing trial, finisher ostriches were allowed to graze lucerne pastures at two different stocking rates (10 and 15 birds/ha) while receiving either 0 or 800g supplementary feed/bird/day. Ostriches receiving supplementation had higher (P <0.05) mean end live weights than ostriches receiving no supplementation. Ostriches receiving supplementation reached a mean target slaughter weight of 95kg within the timespan of the trial, but ostriches receiving no supplementation did not. Stocking rate had no influence on mean end live weight of the birds. An interaction (P <0.05) was found between the level of supplementation and stocking rate for ADG of the birds. Stocking rate influenced ADG only for birds receiving no supplementation. As stocking rate increased, ADG of birds receiving no supplementation declined. Results of the pasture data indicated an increasing level of replacement of grazed lucerne DM by supplementary feed as the trial progressed and this was more pronounced at the higher stocking rate of 15 birds per hectare. A high stocking rate seems to have had a gradual depressing effect on lucerne DM production, while the less severe levels of defoliation at a lower stocking rate promoted lucerne DM production. A digestibility trial was conducted with mature ostriches (12 months old) to investigate the effect of supplementation on intake and digestibility of nutrients, as well as to investigate the substitution effect that ostriches may display when they receive supplementary feed in addition to grazing. The same dietary treatments as in the first grazing study were given to ostriches while they were kept in metabolism crates. These diets were also fed to 20-week old roosters to obtain energy values for these diets for roosters. These energy values would be used to predict ostrich energy values for the same diets by means of a regression equation. For the roosters, each diet treatment was mixed with 50% maize to prevent digestive disorders and ensure maximum feed intake. Ostriches started to substitute supplementary feed for pasture when supplementation was supplied at levels higher than 62% (i.e. 1000g supplementary feed/bird/day) of total feed intake. For each increase of 100g in supplementary feed intake, pasture was replaced at a rate of 4.9%. Higher (P <0.05) total feed intakes were reached by ostriches if they grazed lucerne pastures and received supplementation than if they grazed pasture alone. Pasture grazing alone had lower (P <0.05) dry matter digestibility (DMD) and apparent metabolizable energy (AME) values for both ostriches and roosters than if pastures were supplied with a supplement. A significant stepwise regression could not be computed for the prediction of ostrich AME values from rooster AME values. The economics of different feeding systems (extensive versus intensive) were evaluated with an economic analysis, which was based on the same materials and methods and results of the first grazing trial. A margin above feed cost (MAFC) analysis was performed to evaluate the economic viability of the different feeding systems. The present value (PV) of the MAFC for the pasture-based system with 1000g/bird/day supplementation was only 8.3% lower than that of the feedlot system over a period of six years, while the PV of the cost of the same pasture-based system was 78.4% lower than that of the feedlot system. Birds finished on lucerne pasture with 1000g supplementation led to a saving of 57% in feeding costs if compared to a feedlot system. A sensitivity analysis of the MAFC revealed that the pasture-based system was less sensitive to changes in feeding costs than the feedlot system. Therefore, the unique circumstances of each ostrich producer will play a role in the decision whether to raise ostriches in a feedlot or on pastures.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die produksie van slagvolstruise in ‘n ekstensiewe weidingsstelsel met verskillende vlakke van aanvullende voeding is gedurende hierdie studie ge-evalueer. Twee weidingsstudies is uitgevoer. In die eerste studie is een groep afrondingsvolstruise (ses maande oud) in ‘n voerkraal geplaas en ‘n volledige afrondingsdieet gevoer. Die ander vier groepe is op besproeide lusernweiding geplaas (teen ‘n weidigtheid van 15 voëls/ha) en het onderskeidelik 1500, 1000, 500 en 0g aanvullende voeding/voël/dag ontvang. Weidingproduksie en -inname is gemeet. Daar was geen verskil (P >0.05) tussen die eindgewigte van die voerkraal volstruise en dié van die weidende voëls wat onderskeidelik 1500 en 1000g aanvullende voeding ontvang het nie. Die gemiddelde daaglikse toename (GDT) van die groep weidende voëls wat 1000g aanvullende voeding ontvang het was laer (P <0.05) as die GDT van die groep weidende voëls wat 1500g aanvullende voeding ontvang het, maar al drie hierdie groepe het ‘n gemiddelde teiken slaggewig van 95kg bereik binne die 154 dae van die studie. Weiding, tesame met die korrekte aanvullende voeding (van ten minste 1000g/voël/dag) kan volvoer rantsoene in die afrondingsfase van slagvolstruise vervang en kan dus ‘n belangrike rol speel ten opsigte van die produksie van hierdie voëls. Vir lusern inname is ‘n kwadratiese passing (P <0.01) tussen weiding droë materiaal (DM) inname (g/voël/dag) en aanvullende voeding inname (g/voël/dag) gevind. Die maksimum lusern inname (1692.8g/voël/dag) is bereik wanneer voëls 619.6g aanvullende voeding/voël/dag ingeneem het. In die tweede weidingsstudie, is afrondingsvolstruise (6 maande oud) toegelaat om lusern te bewei teen twee verskillende weidigthede (10 en 15 voëls/ha) en het ook 0 of 800g aanvullende voeding/voël/dag ontvang. Volstruise wat aanvullende voeding ontvang het, het hoër (P <0.05) gemiddelde eindgewigte bereik as volstruise wat geen aanvullende voeding ontvang het nie. Volstruise wat aanvullende voeding ontvang het, het ook die teiken slaggewig van 95kg bereik binne die tydsduur van die studie, terwyl die volstruise wat geen aanvullende voeding ontvang het nie, nie daarin kon slag nie. Weidigtheid het nie ‘n invloed (P >0.05) gehad op die eindgewigte van die voëls nie, maar ‘n interaksie (P <0.05) is gevind tussen vlak van aanvullende voeding en weidigtheid wat GDT van die voëls betref. Weidigtheid het GDT beïnvloed slegs vir volstruise wat geen aanvullende voeding ontvang het nie. Soos die weidigtheid van die voëls wat geen aanvullende voeding ontvang het nie, toegeneem het, het die GDT van hierdie voëls afgeneem. Ontleding van die weidingsdata het ‘n toenemende vlak van verplasing van die weiding met aanvullende voeding getoon soos die studie gevorder het en dit was meer merkbaar by die hoër weidigtheid. Die hoër weidighteid het ook gelei tot ‘n geleidelike afname in lusern DM produksie, terwyl die minder aggressiewe vlakke van ontblaring by die laer weidigtheid lusern DM produksie bevorder het. ‘n Verteringsstudie is gedoen met volwasse volstruise (12 maande oud) om die invloed van aanvullende voeding op inname en verteerbaarheid van nutriente te toets, asook om die substitusie effek wat volstruise mag toon wanneer hulle aanvullende voeding ontvang op weiding, te ondersoek. Dieselfde dieet behandelings as in die eerste weidingsstudie is vir die volstruise gegee terwyl hulle in metabolisme kratte aangehou is. Hierdie diëte is ook aan 20-week oue hane gevoer om die energie waardes van die diete vir hane te verkry. Hierdie energiewaardes sal dan gebruik word om volstruis energiewaardes te voorspel vir dieselfde diëte met behulp van ‘n regressie vergelyking. Vir die hane is elke dieet gemeng met 50% mielies om inname te handhaaf en spysverteringsstoornisse te voorkom. Volstruise het weiding begin verplaas met aanvullende voeding sodra die vlak van aanvullende voeding hoër as 62% (d.i. meer as 1000g aanvullende voeding/voël/dag) van die totale inname van die voëls was. Vir elke 100g toename in aanvullende voeding, word weiding verplaas teen ‘n tempo van 4.9%. Weiding, tesame met aanvullende voeding, het gelei tot hoër totale droë material (DM) voerinnames by volstruise as wanneer weiding alleen beskikbaar was. Wanneer weiding alleen voorsien was, was daar laer (P <0.05) verteerbaarhede van DM en waarskynlike metaboliseerbare energie (WME) waardes vir beide volstruise en hane as wanneer die weiding voorsien word met aanvullende voeding. Geen betekenisvolle stapsgewyse regressie kon gevind word om volstruis energie waardes uit hoender energie waardes te voorspel nie. Die ekonomie van verskillende sisteme (ekstensief versus intensief) is in hierdie studie vergelyk en is gebaseer op dieselfde materiaal en metodes en resultate van die eerste weidingsstudie. ‘n Marge bo voerkoste analise is gebruik om die ekonomiese lewensvatbaarheid van die sisteme met mekaar te vergelyk. Die huidige waarde van die marge bo voerkoste van die weidingssisteem waar 1000g aanvullende voeding gevoer word was 8.3% laer as dié van die voerkraal sisteem oor ‘n periode van ses jaar. Daarteenoor was die huidige waarde van die koste van dieselfde weidingssisteem 78.4% laer as dié van die voerkraal sisteem. Die weidingssisteem waar volstruise 1000g aanvullende voeding ontvang het, het ‘n besparing van 57% in voerkoste getoon wanneer dit met die voerkraal volstruise vergelyk is. ‘n Sensitiwiteitsanalise van die marge bo voerkoste het getoon dat die weidingssisteem minder sensitief is vir wisselende voerkoste as die voerkraal sisteem. Die unieke omstandighede van elke produsent sal ‘n rol speel in sy keuse om volstruise op weiding of in ‘n voerkraal af te rond.

This study examined the differences in the chemical composition, particularly fatty acids, of the lipid extracted from the fibre of bucks, does and castrated goats. The study provides a more detailed understanding of the chemical composition of buck fibre lipid and how it varies throughout the year, and also details the effect of body region and nutrition on the production and chemical composition of lipid from buck fibre. Lipid was extracted with either petroleum ether (non-polar) or chloroform/methanol azeotrope (polar) and analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The more polar solvent system extracted larger amounts of lipid and more of each individual fatty acid. The following buck specific ethyl branched fatty acids were identified: 2-ethylhexanoic, 4-ethylhexanoic, 2-ethyloctanoic, 4-ethyloctanoic, 6-ethyloctanoic, 2-ethyldecanoic, 4-ethyldecanoic, 2-ethyldodecanoic, 6-ethyldodecanoic, 4-ethyldodecanoic, 2-ethyltetradecanoic, 6-ethyltetradecanoic, 4-ethyltetradecanoic, 2-ethylhexadecanoic and 4-ethyloctadecanoic acids. Of these buck specific fatty acids only 4-ethylhexanoic (T), 4-ethyloctanoic, 4-ethyldecanoic, 4-ethyldodecanoic, 6-ethyldodecanoic (T), 4-ethyltetradecanoic, 2-ethylhexadecanoic (T) and 4-ethylhexadecanoic acids have been previously identified or tentatively identified (T) in buck fibre extracts. This shows that the chemical composition of buck fibre lipid is more complex than previously reported, and that it may be more difficult than previously thought to artificially duplicate the odour of the buck. Buck fibre samples had lower average concentrations of 2-methylpropanoic, 2-methylbutanoic, iso-pentadecanoic, anteiso-pentadecanoic, iso-hexadecanoic, anteiso-heptadecanoic, iso-octadecanoic and anteiso-nonadecanoic acids as compared with fibre samples from does, spayed does, or wethers that were castrated at one month of age. The reduced concentrations of these fatty acids in buck fibre extracts were likely to be due to the synthesis of ethyl branched derivatives of iso and anteiso fatty acids. Buck fibre samples had higher concentrations of benzoic acid as compared with fibre samples from does, spayed does, or wethers that were castrated at one month of age. The significance of these results is that non buck specific fatty acids may also make a contribution to the odour of bucks. When fibre samples were collected at various times throughout the year, it was found that the bucks had increased amounts of lipid and ethyl branched fatty acids in fibre samples shorn from March to September, as compared with fibre samples shorn in November and January. The increase in the amount of lipid and ethyl branched fatty acids corresponded with both the rutting period of the buck and the period when the buck odour was increased. This suggests that ethyl branched fatty acids could be pheromones. The variation in lipid content and fatty acid composition was also examined between fibre samples collected from different body regions of the buck during April, as alterations in sebaceous gland activity around the neck during rutting have been reported. It was found that the average amount of lipid in the neck region of the bucks was not statistically higher than the average amounts in the midside and hind regions. However, the ethyl branched fatty acid concentrations were statistically higher in the fibre from around the neck as compared with the fibre from the other body regions, which is consistent with the odour of the buck being most pronounced around the head and neck region. The lipid content and composition of fibre samples from bucks fed high and low quality diets (lucerne and pangola grass, respectively) was examined to determine the effect of nutrition on buck specific components. The high quality diet increased the amount of lipid and ethyl branched fatty acids in fibre samples collected in April from the neck, midside and hind regions, as compared with fibre samples from the corresponding body regions from bucks fed the low quality diet. Thus it may be possible for the pheromone levels of bucks to be increased by simply providing them with good nutrition. The lipid content and ethyl branched fatty acid concentrations of fibre samples increased earlier in the year for the lucerne fed bucks as compared with the pangola grass fed bucks. The lucerne fed bucks had increased concentrations of ethyl branched fatty acids in fibre samples shorn during December to June (6 months) whereas the pangola grass fed bucks had increased concentrations of ethyl branched fatty acids in fibre samples shorn during April to August (4 months). These observations show that good nutrition can result in both the earlier production of ethyl branched fatty acids and an extended period when ethyl branched fatty acids are produced. This suggests that nutrition can be used to manipulate pheromone levels in the buck. The period when the ethyl branched fatty acids were increased corresponded with the period when the plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone concentrations, odour and sebaceous gland volume of the bucks were increased, which supports the assumption that ethyl branched fatty acids are involved in odour production and act as pheromones.

162 leaves printed on single pages, preliminary pages i- vii and numbered pages 1-152. Includes bibliography and abbreviations.
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Thesis (PhD(Agric))--University of Stellenbosch, 2000.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Maize, forage sorghum, lucerne, oats, barley and triticale are the most common silage crops in South Africa, while tropical grasses like Eragrostis curvula and Digitaria eriantha are ensiled to a lesser extent. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of adding a lactic acid bacterial inoculant to E. curvula, D. eriantha, lucerne, forage sorghum, maize and oat silage. The effect of the addition of a lactic acid bacterial inoculant when ensiling E. curvula on the fermentation dynamics during ensiling and the aerobic stability of the silage was determined. The addition of the lactic acid bacterial inoculant to E. curvula at ensiling resulted in a more rapid lowering in pH and improved preservation. Inoculated silage had a higher lactic acid content, less protein breakdown and a lower butyric acid content compared to that of the control silage. Both silages were stable when exposed to air for five days. Digitaria eriantha was ensiled, with or without the addition of a lactic acid bacterial inoculant containing Lactobacillus plantarum. Streptococcus faecium and Pediococcus acidilactici together with the enzymes, cellulase, hemicellulase and amylase. The addition of the inoculant resulted in a more rapid drop in pH, a higher level of lactic acid, an increase in the number of lactic acid bacteria, less protein breakdown and lower numbers of enterobacteria, clostridial spores, yeast and mould compared to the control silage. Digitaria eriantha hay, control and inoculated silage diets were fed to 24 Merino rams (n = 8 per treatment) to determine intake and digestibility. The intake of diets consisting of 90.9% D. eriantha hay, control silage or inoculated silage, differed significantly (p<0.05) at 1395, 1540 and 1848 g DM/day, respectively. The in vivo organic matter digestibility (glkg) of D. eriantha hay, untreated silage and inoculated silage diets was 561, 546, 574, respectively. The addition of the bacterial inoculant when ensiling D.eriantha resulted in better preservation, improved aerobic stability, as well as a higher in vivo organic matter digestibility and intake of D. eriantha silage. The addition of an inoculant or molasses to lucerne (Medicago sativa), ensiled in laboratory silos was investigated. The addition of the additives resulted in an increased preservation rate as indicated by a more rapid lowering of pH, a faster rate of lactic acid production and less protein breakdown compared to control silage. The inoculant was more effective than the molasses in improving the rate of preservation. The aerobic stability of lucerne silage was not affected by inoculation or the addition of molasses. The addition of an inoculant to wilted big bale lucerne silage was studied. The inoculant improved silage quality as indicated by a lower pH, higher lactic acid content, lower ammonia nitrogen content and lower level of butyric acid in inoculated silage compared to the control lucerne silage. The composition of big round bale lucerne silage differed markedly from that of lucerne ensiled in laboratory silos as the former had a higher pH, ammonia nitrogen, butyric acid and acetic acid content and a lower lactic content. Whole crop forage sorghum cultivar FS2 was harvested at the late bloom (20.7% DM) and soft dough (28.9% DM) stages of maturity and ensiled in laboratory silos with the addition of commercial silage inoculants. At both stages of maturity the inoculants caused a more rapid rate of pH decline and a higher amount of lactic acid production. All the silages were well preserved. Silages of the sorghum ensiled at the late bloom stage with all treatments were stable after 5 days of aerobic exposure, whereas sorghum ensiled at the soft dough stage with the addition of the inoculants deteriorated upon aerobic exposure. It is concluded that addition of lactic acid bacterial inoculants to mature sorghum at ensiling might impair the aerobic stability of the silage. The yield, nutritional value and production potential of silage made from twenty one maize hybrids was compared. It was concluded that maize hybrids did differ in metabolizable energy content, rate of digestion, predicted intake and predicted milk production potential. The content of NDF and ADF did not differ between the maize hybrids used in this study and could therefore not be used to predict nutritional value or production potential. Maize was harvested at the hard dough stage and ensiled with or without the addition of a lactic acid bacterial inoculant in laboratory silos and in 210 litre drums. The adding of the inoculant to maize at ensiling did not result in a more rapid drop in pH and higher levels of lactic acid. The intake and growth of South African Mutton Merino lambs fed inoculated and untreated maize silage diets was determined. The average daily gain of lambs fed a diet consisting of either 60% control or inoculated maize silage over a growth period of 60 days was 239 ± 26 and 255 ± 44 g/day, respectively. Although the laboratory study showed very little effect of adding a lactic acid bacterial inoculant to maize at ensiling, lambs tended to consume more of the inoculated silage. In the second study the effect of the addition of a lactic acid bacterial inoculant with an enzyme to maize at ensiling on the fermentation dynamics during ensiling, aerobic stability of the silage, the intake, milk production and milk composition of Jersey cows fed maize silage diets was determined. The inoculant did not result in a more rapid lowering of the pH or a more rapid lactic acid production compared to untreated maize silage made in laboratory silos. Both the control and inoculated maize silages were well preserved. The addition of the inoculant to maize at ensiling improved the palatability, intake and the aerobic stability of maize silage compared to the untreated control maize silage. Milk production, milk composition, live weight and condition score of Jersey cows was not significantly affected by the addition of the inoculant to maize silage. The effect of the addition of an enzyme containing lactic acid bacterial inoculant to big bale oat (Avena sativa, cv Cederberg) silage on silage composition, silage intake, milk production and milk composition of Jersey cows was determined. The crop was cut at the bloom stage, wilted and ensiled in big round bales. The inoculant, Sil-All, was applied during the baling process on half of the bales. Silages were fed to Jersey cows in an intake and milk production study. Both the control and inoculated oat silages were well preserved. The inoculated oat silage had a lower level of butyric acid than the control oat silage. Cows fed the inoculated oat silage produced more (P=O.05) milk (17.7 kg/day) than cows fed the control oat silage (16.7 kg/day). The addition of a lactic acid bacterial inoculant to big bale oat silage improved silage composition and animal performance. This study clearly showed that the composition of silages made in bunker silos under commercial farm conditions differ largely from that of silages made in small scale laboratory silos. When the effect of silage additives on aerobic stability of silage is determined the evaluation should include studies on large scale bunker silages. Evaluation of silage additives should include intake and animal production studies.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Mielies, voersorghum, lusem, hawer, gars en korog word algemeen as kuilvoer gewasse benut terwyl tropiese grasse soos Eragrostis curvula en Digitaria eriantha tot 'n mindere mate ingekuil word. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die invloed van 'n melksuurbakterieseinokulant op E. curvula-, D. eriantha-, lusem-, voersorghum-, mielie- en hawerkuilvoer te bepaal. Die invloed van 'n melksuurbakteriese-inokulant op die fermentasiedinamika en die aerobiese stabiliteit van E. curvula-kuilvoer is bepaal. Die toediening van die melksuurbakterieseinokulant tot E. curvula tydens inkuiling het 'n vinniger tempo van pH daling en beter preservering tot gevolg gehad in vergelyking met kontrole kuilvoer. Inokulant behandelde kuilvoer het 'n hoer melksuurinhoud, minder protei'en afbraak en 'n laer bottersuurinhoud as kontrole kuilvoer gehad. Beide kuilvoere was stabiel tydens blootstelling aan lug vir vyf dae. Digitaria eriantha is ingekuil met ofsonder die toediening van 'n melksuurbakteriese-inokulant wat Lactobacillus plantarum. Streptococcus faecium en Pediococcus acidilactici sowel as die ensieme, sellulase, hemisellulase and amilase bevat het. Die inokulant het 'n vinniger tempo van pH-daling, hoer vlakke van melksuur en melksuurbakterie, minder protei'en afbraak en laer getalle van enterobakterie, klostridiale spore, giste and swamme in vergelyking met die kontrole tot gevolg gehad. Digitaria eriantha hooi, kontrole kuilvoer en gei'nokuleerde kuilvoer diete is aan 24 Merino ramme (n = 8 per behandeling) gevoer vir bepaling van inname en verteerbaarheid. Die inname van diete wat uit 90.9% D. eriantha hooi, kontrole kuilvoer of gei'nokuleerde kuilvoer bestaan het, het betekenisvol (p<0.05) verskil en was 1395, 1540 en 1848 gDM/dag, respektiewelik. Die in vivo organiesemateriaal verteerbaarheid (gIkg) vanD. eriantha hooi, kontrole kuilvoer en geYnokuleerde kuilvoer was 561, 546, 574, respektiewelik. Die toediening van die bakteriese-inokulant tydens inkuiling vanD. eriantha het beter preservering, verbeterde aerobiese stabiliteit asook 'n hoer in vivo organiesemateriaal verteerbaarheid van D. eriantha kuilvoer tot gevolg gehad. Die effek van toediening van 'n melksuurbakteriese-inokulant en van molasse tot lusem (Medicago sativa) ingekuil in laboratoriumsilos is ondersoek. Die inokulant toediening en molasse toediening het die tempo van preservering versnel, die pH het vinniger gedaal, melksuur is teen 'n hoer tempo geproduseer en minder proteYen afbraak het plaasgevind in vergelyking met die kontrole kuilvoer. Die tempo van preservering is meer effektief deur toediening van die inokulant verhoog as deur die toediening van molasse. Die aerobiese stabiliteit van lusernkuilvoer is nie beYnvloed deur die toediening van inokulant ofmolasse nie. Die effek van die toediening van 'n melksuurbakteriese-inokulant tot groot rondebaal lusernkuilvoer is ondersoek. Die inokulant het die kwaliteit van die kuilvoer verbeter en het 'n laer pH, hoer melksuur, laer ammoniak stikstofen laer bottersuurinhoud in rondebaallusernkuilvoer tot gevolg gehad in vergelyking met kontrole kuilvoer. Groot rondebaallusernkuilvoer het grootliks verskil van lusernkuilvoer wat in laboratoriumsilos ingekuil is. Die rondebaal kuilvoer het 'n hoer pH, hoer ammoniak-stikstof-, bottersuur- en asynsuurinhoud en 'n laer melksuurinhoud gehad as laboratorium lusernkuilvoer. Voersorghum kultivar FS2 is op die laat blom (20.7% DM) en op die sagte deeg (28.9% DM) stadium met die byvoeging van melksuurbakteriese-inokulante ingekuil in laboratoriumsilos. Toediening van beide inokulante tot sorghum hetop beide die inkuilstadiums gelei tot 'n vinniger tempo van pHdaling en meer melksuurproduksie. Aile kuilvoere insluitend die kontrole kuilvoer was goed gepreserveer. Kontrole sowel geYnokuleerde sorghumkuilvoer ingekuil op die laat blomstadium was stabiel tydens aerobiese blootstelling vir 5 dae. Sorghumkuilvoer ingekuil op die sagtedeegstadium met die byvoeging van inokulante was onstabiel tydens aerobiese blootstelling. Die toediening van melksuurbakteriese-inokulante tot sorghum wat op die sagtedeegstadium ingekuil word kan aerobiese stabiliteit van die kuilvoer grootliks benadeel. Die opbrengs, voedingswaarde en produksiepotensiaal van kuilvoer gemaak van 21 mielie hibriede is vergelyk. Verskille in metaboliseerbare energie inhoud, tempo van vertering, voorspelde inname en voorspelde melkproduksie het tussen mielie hibriede voorgekom. Die neutraalbestandevesel- en suurbestandeveselinhoud het nie verskil tussen hibriede nie en derhalwe kon dit nie gebruik word om voedingswaarde ofproduksiepotensiaal te beraam rue. Mielies is op die hardedeegstadium met of sonder die toediening van 'n melksuurbakterieseinokulant in laboratoriumsilos en 210 liter dromme ingekui!. Die toediening van die inokulant het geen invloed op tempo van pH-daling ofproduksie van melksuur gehad nie. Die inname en groei van SA Vleismerino lammers wat 'n dieet bestaande uit 60% kontrole of inokulant behandelde mieliekuilvoer ontvang het, is bepaa!. Die gemiddelde daaglikse toename van lammers was 239 ± 26 and 255 ± 44 g/dag vir die kontrole en inokulant mieliekuilvoer dieet respektiewelik. Alhoewel die laboratoriumstudie weinig verskille tussen die kontrole en die geYnokuleerde mieliekuilvoer getoon het, het lammers geneig om meer van die geYnokuleerde mieliekuilvoer in te neem. In die tweede studie met mieliekuilvoer is die effek van toediening van 'n melksuurbakteriese-inokulant met ensieme, op die ferrnentasiedinamika tydens inkuiling, die aerobiese stabiliteit van mieliekuilvoer asook die inname, melkproduksie en melksamestelling van Jersey koeie bepaa!. Die inokulant het nie die tempo van pH daling en produksie van melksuurverhoog nie en beide kontrole en geYnokuleerde mieliekuilvoerwas goed gepreserveer. Die toediening van die inokulant tot mieliekuilvoer het die smaaklikheid, inname en die aerobiese stabiliteit van mieliekuilvoer verhoog in vergeiyking met kontrole mieliekuilvoer. Melkproduksie, melksamestelling, liggaamsmassa en kondisiepunt van Jersey koeie is nie betekenisvol beYnvloed deur die toediening van die inokulant tot mieliekuilvoer nie. Die effek van die toediening van 'n ensiem bevattende melksuurbakteriese-inokulant tot groot rondebaal hawer (Avena sativa, cv Cederberg) kuilvoer op die samestelling van kuilvoer, kuilvoerinname, melkproduksie en melksamestelling van Jersey koeie is bepaa!. Die gewas is gesny op die blomstadium, verwelk en as rondebaalkuilvoer gepreserveer. Die inokulant, Sil-All, is tydens die baalproses toegedien op die helfte van die bale. Kuilvoere is aan Jersey koeie gevoer in 'n inname en melkproduksiestudie. Beide die kontrole en geYnokuleerde hawerkuilvoer was goed gepreserveer. Die bottersuurinhoud van geYnokuleerde hawerkuilvoer was laer as die van die kontrole hawerkuilvoer. Koeie wat geYnokuleerde hawerkuilvoer gevoer is het meer (P=0.05) melk (17.7 kg/dag) geproduseer as koeie wat kontrole hawerkuilvoer ontvang het (16.7 kg/dag). Die toediening van 'n melksuurbakteriese-inokulant het kuilvoer kwaliteit en diereproduksie verbeter. Hierdie studie wys duidelike verskille uit tussen kuilvoer wat in bunkersilos onder kommersiele toestande ingekuil is, en kuilvoer wat in laboratoriumsilos gemaak is. Wanneer die effek van kuilvoerbymiddels op die aerobiese stabiliteit van kuilvoer bepaal word behoort finale evaluasie gedoen te word op kuilvoer gemaak in bunkersilos soos onder plaastoestande plaasvind. Evaluasie van kuilvoerbymiddels behoort inname en diereproduksiestudies in te sluit.

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES
Fishing is a very important activity for the provision of protein, but as a result of the heavy pressure from extractive fishing and above the limits of carrying capacity of populations of commercial species, many stocks are at or above the limit of exploration, which has resulted in decreased populations of many animals, including driving some to extinction. As a result, aquaculture has increased worldwide, complementing the fisheries to obtain quality protein. By the increasing investment in this activity, it became one of the fastest growing economic activities worldwide, nowadays. Brazil is no different, and aquaculture has been growing over the years, and most fish cultures are being developed in freshwater ecosystems, and the crustacean culture in estuarine ecosystems. However, if this activity is not performed properly, can be quite impactant to natural ecosystems, as a result of the addition of nutrients, leading to eutrophication. In addition, breeding has been mostly with exotic species, which when they arrive in the natural habitat suppress native species, leading to the decreasing in local biodiversity. Antibiotics and other crops and products placed in the diets also end up interfering with the water quality of natural systems. Therefore, it is important that aquaculture should be promoted, as a promising economic activity, with capacity for growth in Brazil, and if it is practiced at the household level could contribute to the economic growth of traditional communities or poor ones, thus contributing to the local sustainable development. Thus, the aim of this thesis was to implement a training course for fishermen of Lucena and Fagundes beaches and farmers living in three settlements in Lucena municipality, so that they could further develop this activity in a sustainable manner. For that, ecological methods, such as horticultural waste recovery and preparation of alternative feeds for the reduction of production costs, were applied. The whole process was conducted in the form of action research among researchers and participants in the extension project PROEXT 2008, funded by the MEC / SESU. The course showed how to cultivate two fish species, carp and Nile tilapia, in a polyculture system. The results of this activity were very promising, the participants enjoyed the experience and showed interest in continuing by their own later. All the course members made all the activities, from the excavation of ponds until removal of the fishes. This study had shown that they can work successfully in teams, which they did not believe at first. The performance of the fish along the cultivation revealed that the alternative diet promoted a better growth performance of carp development, but a lower growth in tilapia. The nutrient analysis of the two diets, commercial and alternative, showed that the protein content was higher in commercial feed, which may have caused the difference in tilapia growth. Moreover, the economic analysis of cultivation with the two diets showed that the profit was very similar in the two analyzed ponds, due the lower feed cost of the alternative ration. The course has proved a success, and the participants learned to practice the procedures for aquaculture, being able to play all the activities learned and can thus diversify production on the properties and the fishermen, if they get a local for cultivation, depend less on fish stocks, thus ensuring greater security for their maintenance and cause a less pressure over species in the environment, allowing them to recover.
A pesca é uma atividade muito importante para a obtenção de alimentos protéicos, mas em conseqüência da grande pressão do extrativismo e da captura acima dos limites da capacidade de suporte das populações de espécies comerciais, muitos estoques estão no limite de exploração ou acima deste, o que tem resultado na diminuição de muitas populações de animais, inclusive levando algumas ao risco de extinção. Em virtude disso, a aqüicultura tem aumentado em todo o mundo, complementando a pesca para a obtenção de proteína de qualidade. Pelo maior investimento nesta atividade, esta tornou-se uma das atividades econômicas que mais cresce no mundo atualmente. No Brasil não é diferente, e a aqüicultura vem crescendo ao longo dos anos, sendo a piscicultura mais praticada em ecossistemas fluviais, e a carcinocultura em ecossistemas estuarinos. No entanto, se esta atividade não for realizada de forma adequada, poderá ser bastante impactante aos ecossistemas naturais, em conseqüência da adição de nutrientes, levando-os à eutrofização. Assim sendo, é importante que a aqüicultura seja incentivada, por ser uma atividade econômica promissora, com capacidade de crescimento no Brasil, e que se praticada a nível familiar poderá contribuir com o crescimento econômico de comunidades tradicionais ou carentes, contribuindo assim, com o desenvolvimento sustentável local. Desta forma, o objetivo desta dissertação foi o de participar de um curso de capacitação para pescadores das praias de Lucena e Fagundes e agricultores residentes em 2 assentamentos no município de Lucena, de forma a que eles pudessem futuramente desenvolver esta atividade de forma sustentável. Para isso, metodologias ecológicas, como o aproveitamento de resíduos hortifrutigranjeiros e a preparação de rações alternativas, para o barateamento da produção, foram aplicadas. Todo o processo foi realizado na forma de pesquisa-ação entre os pesquisadores e os participantes do projeto de extensão PROEXT 2008, financiado pelo MEC/SESU. O curso mostrou como cultivar duas espécies de peixe em policultivo, a carpa e a tilápia nilótica. Os resultados da atividade foram bastante promissores, os participantes gostaram da experiência e mostraram interesse em continuar. Todos os integrantes do curso realizaram todas as atividades, desde a escavação dos viveiros até a despesca. Ao mesmo tempo, com este trabalho foi possível verificar que eles podem trabalhar em equipe com sucesso, o que eles não acreditaram muito no início. O desempenho dos peixes ao longo do cultivo revelou que a ração alternativa promoveu um melhor desempenho no crescimento da carpa, mas um crescimento menor na tilápia. A análise bromatológica das duas rações, a comercial e a alternativa, revelou que o teor de proteínas foi mais elevado na ração comercial, o que pode ter causado essa diferença no crescimento das tilápias. Por outro lado, a análise econômica do cultivo com as duas rações mostrou que o lucro foi muito semelhante nos dois viveiros analisados, em virtude do menor custo da ração alternativa. A capacitação dos atores sociais revelou-se um sucesso, os participantes assimilaram a técnica da piscicultura, sendo capazes de reproduzir todas as atividades, podendo desta forma diversificar a produção nas suas propriedades, assim como, os pescadores, que se conseguirem local para o cultivo, dependerão menos dos estoques pesqueiros, podendo garantir com mais segurança o seu sustento e diminuindo ao mesmo tempo a superexploração das espécies de peixes no ambiente, permitindo a sua recuperação.

Thesis (MSc. Agriculture (Animal Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2015
A series of experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of replacing calf starter feed with lucerne leaf-meal (LLM) on diet intake, rumen degradation and growth of Holstein heifer calves. The treatments were calf starter pellets (PEL), a mixture of 65% calf starter concentrate pellets and 35% LLM (P65L35), and a mixture of 50% calf starter concentrate pellets and 50% LLM (P50L50). The first part of the study determined nutrient composition of lucerne leaf-meal (LLM), calf starter pellets and lucerne leaf-meal substituted diets. The experimental design was a completely randomised design (CRD). Lucerne leaf-meal had high protein (25% DM) and gross energy (GE) (16.2 MJ/kg DM) levels; low starch (0.2% DM) and fibre fractions. All diets had similar (P>0.05) crude protein (CP) and GE values. The concentrate diet was higher (P<0.05) in starch, ether extracts and fibre bound CP (neutral detergent insoluble crude protein). The second part of the study estimated the supply of energy and protein fractions and carbohydrate composition from LLM and the diets. A CRD was used. Lucerne leaf-meal had high energy density and protein supply with low unavailable fibre and protein contents. All the treatments had TDN above 80%. Non-fibre carbohydrate levels differed (P<0.05) across treatments. The energy fractions were similar (P>0.05) across all dietary treatments. However, Diets P65L35 and P50L50 had higher (P<0.05) soluble and non-fibre carbohydrates than PEL diet. The third part of the study determined in vitro degradation of LLM and the three dietary treatments using the ANKOM DaisyII incubator system. Lucerne leaf-meal had high in vitro dry matter (IVDMD), organic matter (IVOMD), crude protein (IVCPD) and neutral detergent fibre (IVNDFD) degradation. All diets had similar (P>0.05) IVDMD and IVOMD at 0, 4, 10 and 48 hours of incubation. Higher (P<0.05) IVNDFD, IVCPD and effective degradation (ED) were observed in Diets P65L35 and P50L50 than in Diet PEL. No differences (P>0.05) in IVNDFD and IVCPD were observed at 24 and 48 hours of incubation. The rate of degradation (‘c’) was similar (P>0.05) across all the diets. The data demonstrated that LLM diets had higher (P<0.05) degradation values than Diet PEL. vi The fourth part of the study determined the effects of replacing calf starter pellets with lucerne leaf-meal on diet intake, feed conversion ratio and growth of pre-weaned (21 to 42 days old calves) and transition (43 to 56 days old calves) Holstein heifer calves. The experimental design was a completely randomised design, with a total of 24 calves housed in individual pens. This study was divided into two experimental phases, namely, pre-weaning (Experiment 1) and transition (Experiment 2) phases. In each experiment, different calves were used. Body weights were taken weekly. The balance of ruminal nitrogen (% RNB) was predicted using Large Ruminant Nutrition System (LRNS) model. In Experiment 1 calves had free access to clean water and fed 4 litres/calf/day of unpasteurised milk. During the pre-weaning phase, differences (P<0.05) were observed in solid feed dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and starch intakes with Diet P50L50 having higher (P<0.05) intakes than Diets PEL and P65L35. Similarly, higher (P<0.05) % RNB and daily weight gains (ADG) were observed with calves on Diet P50L50. However, calves had similar (P>0.05) initial and final weights and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Calves in Experiment 2 were fed 2 litres/calf/day of unpasteurised milk. Calves were weaned at the age of 56 days. During the transition phase, calves on Diet HP50L50 had higher (P<0.05) CP intake and % RNB than those on HPEL and HP65L35 diets. However, higher (P<0.05) solid feed starch intake was observed with calves on Diet HPEL. All dietary treatments had similar (P>0.05) DM intake, initial and final live weights, ADG and FCR. The fifth part of the study predicted diet concentrations of Holstein heifer calves under specific conditions using the level 1 solution of Large Ruminant Nutrition System (LRNS) model. During the pre-weaning phase, P65L35 and P50L50 diets indicated higher (P<0.05) energy density values than Diet PEL. However, all diets had similar (P>0.05) metabolisable energy levels. No differences (P>0.05) in net energy for maintenance (NEm) and gain (NEg) during the transition phase were observed. However, Diet HPEL had higher (P<0.05) apparent TDN and ME levels compared to other dietary treatments. Diets P65L35 and P50L50 had higher (P<0.05) protein, energy density and degradation values than Diet PEL. It is concluded LLM inclusions in the calf diet improved Holstein heifer calves’ performance.
Agricultural Research Council (ARC)

Dryland salinity is a major and expanding threat to agricultural land in Australia. Animal production from forages grown on saline land is perhaps its most promising economic use. Glycophytic forage legumes have been evaluated under saline conditions mainly for agronomic characteristics and, to a lesser extent, for nutritive quality to animals. Plant growth and its nutritive quality are interrelated, but a decline in yield in response to salinity may be associated with effects on the chemical constituents of the plant since soil salinity affects plant metabolism. This research aimed to investigate changes in the components of yield and nutritive value of two legumes species. Lucerne ( Medicago sativa ) and Melilotus ( Melilotus albus ) were exposed to different levels of NaCl in the range of 0 to 110 mM NaCl. The research tested the hypothesis that the components of plant nutritive value are not as sensitive to salinity as shoot biomass production since the adaptive mechanisms of the plant lessen harmful effects of the salts. For both plant species, salinity decreased leaf and stem dry matter production, but increased leaf - to - stem ratio. In addition, salinity resulted in earlier flowering in Melilotus. Mineral composition was the most sensitive component of forage quality. Calculated sodium chloride concentrations were up to 125 g / kg DM in lucerne and 39 g / kg DM in Melilotus when irrigated with 110 mM NaCl. The concentrations of calcium and magnesium decreased in both species and approached the marginal range for animal production. Zinc concentration also decreased while potassium decreased in stems of lucerne only. The digestible organic matter ( DOMD ) in response to salinity varied between species. At the highest salt concentration, the whole shoot ( i.e., leaf and stem ) of lucerne decreased up to 4 percentage units while Melilotus increased by 6 percentage units. In lucerne, DOMD was influenced by a high concentration of soluble ash in leaf and stem and, in Melilotus, by an increase in the organic matter content of leaf and a reduction in lignin concentration in stem, which favoured higher digestibility. These results were supported by a histological study in which an increase in starch in Melilotus leaf, and a lower proportion of xylem in relation to parenchyma in stems, was measured. Crude protein concentration was not compromised and, in relation to Melilotus, coumarin concentration did not increase with salinity. In conclusion, the reduction in DM production of species with similar salt tolerance does not necessarily correspond to an equivalent reduction in nutritive value. This research represents the most detailed study into effects of salinity on glycophytic forage legumes. Results show that while some aspects of forage quality ( e.g., minerals composition and energy ) are strongly influenced by salinity, other aspects ( e.g., protein ) remain relatively unaffected. These findings have implications for development of productive grazing systems on saline agricultural land.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, 2006.

Feeding behaviour is controlled by the integration of both perceived cues from the plant and postingestive signals received by the animal. In general practice, dairy cattle are presented with a variety of feedstuffs throughout each day, in addition to changing feedstuffs over time. In the Australian context, the feeds generally include fodder (usually hay) and pasture whilst grazing, as well as various concentrates. For horses that are stabled for prolonged periods, their diet consists of fodder (again usually hay or chaff) and concentrates, in addition to the pasture consumed whilst allowed access to graze. In such situations, where animals are presented with a range of feedstuffs, some of them novel and for discrete periods of time, it is important that they readily accept the feeds when they are first presented to them. For both lactating dairy cows and performance horses, for example, it is important to avoid periods of low intake, as this can have immediate and sometimes longer-term consequences to animal performance. The daily rate of food intake is the single most important factor affecting animal performance and productivity (Illius et al. 2000) and an animal‟s responses to a feedstuff can be considered the ultimate measure of its quality. The animal‟s first response to the presentation of a new feed, which in this particular study was oaten or lucerne hay, is its level of voluntary intake, which depends in part on palatability. Palatability is an integrative term (Provenza 1995); to provide a quantitative measure of the acceptability of a feedstuff, a „preference value’ can be obtained by describing the preference of one hay relative to an alternate hay also on offer. The Australian fodder industry is increasingly adopting more objective measures of hay quality to improve marketing opportunities, especially in the export industry, and to meet the demands and expectations of local and overseas purchasers of hay. Being able to efficiently and reliably predict the preference value of any particular hay would be beneficial to processors, exporters, users (purchasers) of hay, and possibly plant breeders, to make more informed decisions. This thesis describes a comprehensive analysis of the chemical and physical characteristics of a selected number of oaten and lucerne hays and their relationship to the acceptability or „preference value‟ of the hays for lactating Holstein Friesian cows and Thoroughbred horses. The project aimed to (i) quantify preference values for a large number of oaten hays with dairy cows and horses and a similarly large number of lucerne hays with horses only, and (ii) develop predictive equations for animal preferences based on the chemical and physical properties of the hays and the animal‟s short-term rate of consuming the hays. A total of approximately 8,500 preference tests were conducted with 85 oaten hays offered to lactating Holstein Friesian cows and Thoroughbred horses, and 70 lucerne hays offered to Thoroughbred horses. The hays were selected to cover a range of nutritive values. The intake rate and preferences for all the hays were quantified in a series of tests replicated over time and with different animals. Each „trial‟ hay was offered with four „standard‟ hays (in separate tests). A suite of chemical (nutritive value) traits and physical traits were quantified for the hays. An assessment of the „odour profile‟ was also included in the characterisation of the hays. The nutritive, physical and volatile traits were then related to hay preference values in multiple and simple linear regression models and equations generated to predict hay preference values. A prediction of hay preference made directly from the spectra obtained by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) was also developed. Overall, the average preference value of an oaten hay (i.e., that obtained using the comparisons with all four standard hays) could be predicted from a range of nutritive value traits, typically the contents of acid detergent fibre (ADF), hemicellulose, crude protein (CP) and water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) - with a correlation co-efficient of about 79% with cows and 61% for horses. Acid detergent fibre and CP contents tended to have the biggest influence on preference value for both cows and horses, followed by WSC and hemicellulose content. Examination of lucerne hays offered to horses increased the correlation co-efficient to 74%, with ADF, hemicellulose and CP each having a similar magnitude of effect. This means that these traits, with an appropriate weighting for each, could account for up to about three-quarters of the variation in hay preference values for cows and horses. The in vitro digestibility of dry matter (IVD) of oaten and lucerne hay was nearly as accurate in predicting preference values as using the four nutritive value traits of ADF, hemicellulose, CP and WSC, which was anticipated as digestibility is a function of these chemical traits. Hay physical traits could also be used to predict preference values, although not as accurately as the nutritive value traits or IVD. Of the physical traits, shear energy had the largest effect (co-efficient approximately -1.15 compared to an average of -0.35 for the other traits in the equation). The use of NIRS to directly predict preference values was also encouraging, with the best calibration model yielding a correlation co-efficient of 61 to 81%, depending on the hay (oaten or lucerne) and the animal (cows or horses). Of the total 120 volatile compounds isolated from the oaten hays, six had some relationship with cow preferences and there were also six oaten hay volatiles related to horse preferences. Of the oaten hay volatiles significantly related to preference, four were positively related to cow preference whilst two were negatively related to cow preference. Similarly there were four volatiles positively related to horse preference and two consistently negatively related. Of the six oaten hay volatiles found to influence the preferences of dairy cows and horses, four were common to both species. Of the total of 147 volatile compounds isolated from the lucerne hays, 15 had some relationship with horse preference, with nine positively related to horse preference and six negatively related. The data reported here suggest that a predicted preference value for a hay can be generated using commonly measured quality traits, which would improve a buyer‟s confidence of animals responding favourably when first offered the hay. More specifically, for an average preference value, the most reliable prediction equation was based on nutritive value traits: ADF, hemicellulose, crude protein and water soluble carbohydrates solely. Alternatively a combination of nutritive and physical traits can be used to predict preference: in vitro digestibility, crude protein, water soluble carbohydrates and shear energy. The visible and near infrared spectra obtained by NIRS was also a promising method of prediction, and given the speed and affordability of NIRS, this technology could be further refined and used for routine measurement of predicted hay preference values. The volatile compounds shown to influence preference value of the hay should be identified and further research undertaken to investigate novel approaches to manipulate the preference of hays. Caution should be taken when attempting to use these prediction equations on a single specific hay in a single specific situation. The predictions and relationships investigated in this thesis are based on populations of hays and preferences of a group of animals and therefore some care should be taken when applying them to a particular situation with difference circumstances. Other factors that can influence feed preferences include an animal‟s feeding experiences, basal diet and diet history and various environmental factors unaccounted for here.
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Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, 2008

The data on the yield of lucerne (Medicago falcate) when cultivated on agro-peat soils in the conditions of southern Belarus was presented. It has been established that the yield of green mass in 4 years of life averaged 422.9 centner per ha at sowing under cover and 472.4 centner per ha at bloodless sowing. Productivity — 57.7 and 68.2 centner feed units ha–1 respectively. A small level of response to the application of various technological techniques was noted.

The results of research conducted by the authors on gray forest soils in Kaluga region. Shows the energy efficiency of cultivation of perennial and annual fodder crops are calculated based on actual energy consumption and release of metabolic energy yield. The data on the effect of perennial grasses on the content of humus and the change in the acidity of the soil. The scheme to study the efficiency of common crops of different varieties of red clover, lucerne and festulolium changeable, it provides a brief description of the studied cultures. Shows data on yield of green mass, harvesting of 1 hectare of dry matter, metabolizable energy and crude protein according to variants of experience. On the basis of obtained results the conclusion about the feasibility of using the studied mixtures to increase the energy and protein value of feeds, ensuring the most efficient use of nonrenewable energy, conservation and improvement of soil fertility, sustainability of agro ecosystems.