Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Peer-reviewed

The inclusion of companion forages in the diet alongside perennial ryegrass increased dry matter intake and organic matter digestibility in sheep

Sarah Woodmartin, P. Creighton, T.M. Boland, Lydia Farrell, Noel A. Claffey, F. McGovern

animal · 2024

Read source ↗ All evidence

Summary

The inclusion of companion forages in the diet of ruminant animals is gaining popularity in temperate regions due to observed improvements in animal performance. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of diet type on DM intake (DMI) and organic matter digestibility (OMD) in sheep. Furthermore, the effect of sward type on diet nutritive quality was investigated. Five dietary treatments were investigated using a 5 × 5 Latin square design experiment: Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.; PRG) only or PRG plus white clover (Trifolium repens L.;PRG + WC), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.; PRG + RC), chicory (Chicorium intybus L.; PRG + Chic) or plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.; PRG + Plan) at a ratio of 75% PRG and 25% of the respective companion forage and 100% PRG for the grass only

Source type
Peer-reviewed study
DOI
10.1016/j.animal.2024.101150
Catalogue ID
SNmoimwvt8-y9j053
Pulse AI · ask about this record

Dig deeper with Pulse AI.

Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.