| dc.description.abstract |
Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L. cv. Clare) was harvested before flower emergence and dried rapidly without heating. Each of four adult sheep was given the dried clover at rates of 200, 600, 1000, and 1400 g/day in four successive fortnights and was finally fed ad libitum for 1 month. Energy, nitrogen, and carbon balances and body weight changes were measured. The fasting energy losses of the sheep were determined at the end of the experiment. The hay contained approximately 27% crude protein, 14% crude fibre, and 3% lignin (dry matter basis) and was eaten avidly by the sheep. Voluntary consumption ranged from 1400 to 2100 g dry matter/day, and maximum balances were 2080 kcal and 17 g nitrogen/day. Digestibility of energy was 78% at the lowest level of feeding and 74% at the highest. Cell wall and cell contents were respectively 74 and 82% digestible. Energy losses in methane were unusually low (7 |
|