Publication Date

1993

Location

New Zealand

Description

This study evaluated the effects of moderate tannin levels in high quality forages on mohair production and body-weigh! gains of yearling Angora goals, Yearling Angora doelings were grazed on either alfalfa (low tannin level; Medicago sativa L. cv. Cimarron) or sainfoin (moderate tannin level; Onobrychis viciifolia Scop. cv. Renumex). Angora goats were randomly assigned to 2 pastures of each forage, 18 lo each sainfoin pasture and 24 to each alfalfa pasture, Goals grazed 0.15 ha paddocks in each pasture for a week before to being rotated to a new paddock. Doclings grazing sainfoin gained weight faster (62 v. 40 g/day) and produced more mohair (2.2 v. 2.0 kg) of equal fineness (33.7 µm) compared with alfalfa. Carrying capacity was lower (25%) for the sainfoin and limited by its summer dormancy.

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Mohair Production and Body-Weight Gains of Yearling Angora Goats Grazing Forages with Different Tannin Levels

New Zealand

This study evaluated the effects of moderate tannin levels in high quality forages on mohair production and body-weigh! gains of yearling Angora goals, Yearling Angora doelings were grazed on either alfalfa (low tannin level; Medicago sativa L. cv. Cimarron) or sainfoin (moderate tannin level; Onobrychis viciifolia Scop. cv. Renumex). Angora goats were randomly assigned to 2 pastures of each forage, 18 lo each sainfoin pasture and 24 to each alfalfa pasture, Goals grazed 0.15 ha paddocks in each pasture for a week before to being rotated to a new paddock. Doclings grazing sainfoin gained weight faster (62 v. 40 g/day) and produced more mohair (2.2 v. 2.0 kg) of equal fineness (33.7 µm) compared with alfalfa. Carrying capacity was lower (25%) for the sainfoin and limited by its summer dormancy.