A Comparison of Herbage Utilization by Sheep on Native and Improved Pastures

면양에 의한 야초지와 개량초지의 초류이용성 비교

The preference, chemical composition, intake, digestibility and chewing efficiency of collected herbage sample from sheep using esophageal fistula and fecal collection method were compared to those of offered herbage samples on the native and improved pastures at the 3rd flush stage(25 cm grass height). Experimental field was treated by one plot design and the begining of September 1987, at Chungnam National University, Daejon. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. Preference indices were not different among herbage species on improved pasture, while those on in native pasture were markedly different and this difference seemed to depend on diet selection. 2. Chemical compositions of collected herbage samples were different from those of offered herbage samples. Crude protein content was significantly high on native pasture, but NDF, cellulose and lignin content were significantly low on improved pasture (p < 0.01). 3. DM intake, digestibility and herbage utilization percent on improved pasture were significantly higher than those on native pasture (P < 0.01). 4. Eating rate, ruminating and chewing efficiency were influenced by the amounts of NDF intake. Therefore, eating rate, ruminating and chewing efficiency on improved pasture tended to be higher than those on native pasture (p <0.01).