The growth of lambs grazing tall fescue receiving high and low levels of nitrogen fertilizer

Abstract

1. The growth of lambs grazing tall fescue pastures, receiving high and low levels of nitrogen fertilizer, was studied. 2. fertilizer, was studied. final body composition was estimated. Rumen liquor samples were collected three times and herbage intake estimated five times during the 88-day experiment. 3. On clipped herbage samples, O.M. digestibility was estimated in vitro , and chemical composition was determined. 4. Live-weight gain, final body composition and D.o.m. intake did not differ significantly between treatments. Molar proportions of acetic acid were higher and n -butyric acid lower on the high nitrogen treatment.