NR 07. Effect of some sward attributes on legume selectivity by oesophageal fistulated and intact steers grazing a tropical grass-legume pasture
A grazing trial was carried out in the Eastern Plains of Colombia to compare legume selectivity by transitory oesophageal fistulated (TOF) and permanent intact (PI) steers and to assess the influence of pasture attributes on legume selectivity by both groups of animals. The test pasture was an association of Arachis pintoi with Brachiaria humidicola. In general, sward attribute which explained most of the variation in legume selected by TOF steers was legume relative to grass in the forage on offer (linear, r2=0.67, P < .01), while for PI steers it was legume mass available (linear, r2=0.56, P < .01). Legume selection in both groups of animals was related to legume bulk density. However, the relationships found differed between groups of animals. While the relationship was linear (r2=0.53, P < .01) for TOF steers, it was exponential with an asymptote (r2=0.52) for PI steers. This study confirms that legume selectivity under grazing differs considerably between transitory oesophageal fistulated and permanent intact steers and indicates that different sward attributes affect legume selected by both groups of animals.
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| Format: | Digital revista |
| Language: | spa |
| Published: |
Asociacion Latinoamericana de Produccion Animal
2005
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| Online Access: | https://ojs.alpa.uy/index.php/ojs_files/article/view/89 |
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