The Effects of Supplementation of Dry of Season Grazing With Groundnut Halums on Nutrients Utilization and Sheep Performance

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementation of the dry season grazing on total voluntary dry matter intake, the basal dry season grazing intake, digestibility coefficients, total digestible nutrients, TDN intake and sheep performance. The field work commenced on December 20, 1992 and ended in May 1, 1993 in the zone of low rain woodland savannah on sand in El Odaya, En Nuhoud Province, Kordofan State. Feed intake of locally purchased sheep was estimated on daily basis for 122 days. Feed samples were taken daily, pooled and stored for chemical analysis. Faecal samples were taken at the end of digestibility trial. Animals were weighed on monthly basis throughout the experimental period. Statistical analysis indicated a significant (P<0.01) increase in total voluntary dry matter intake, irrespective of type of supplement. It increased from 932.1, when fed unsupplemented, to 1280.1 and 1246.2 g /day upon supplementation with sorghum grains and groundnut halums, respectively. The intake of the basal dry season grazing diet increased significantly (P<0.0I) upon supplementation with sorghum grains from 932.1 to 999.g/day (supplementary effect) and decreased significantly (P<0.0I) upon supplementation with groundnut halums (substitution effect) to 778.1 g/day. The nutrient digestibility coefficients increased significantly (P<0.01). No differences were observed in DM, OM, NDF, EE and NFE digestibility coefficients that could be attributed to type of supplement. The digestibility coefficient of ADF increased significantly with supplementation and was affected to a greater extent by groundnut hulls supplementation than with sorghum grains. It increased from 36.5 when fed unsupplemented to 65.3 and 56.t % upon supplementation with groundnut halums and sorghum grains, respectively. CP digestibility increased from minus 27.4 to 38.8 and 33.4% upon supplementation with sorghum grains and groundnut halums, respectively. Total digestible nutrients (TDN) increased with supplementation (P<0.0I) from 35.0 to 61.6 and 54.7% upon supplementation with sorghum seeds and groundnut halums, respectively. TDN intake of sheep increased significantly (P<0.0I) from 0.333 kg/d, when fed unsupplemented to 0.68 and 0.79 kg/d upon supplementation with groundnut hulls and sorghum grains, respectively. The extent of TDN increase and TDN intake by sheep was dependent on type of supplement. The rates of live body weight gains increased from minus 75.5 g/day, when the sheep were fed unsupplemented to 0.48 g/day and 52.1 g/day upon supplementation with groundnut halums and sorghum grains, respectively. The two supplements had different effects on rates of live body weight grains. In conclusion, it may be advocated that supplementation of sheep on dry season grazing with 468.2 g/day groundnut halums can keep them at maintenance level throughout the dry season. Levels higher than the one used in this study can be examined to evaluate the legume hay's capacity) to support production levels.