Feeding value of immature safflower forage for dry ewes

Abstract

An in situ study compared mature, frost-damaged safflower to full-bloom safflower and mid-bloom alfalfa-grass hay, with the full-bloom safflower and alfalfa-grass hay also used in a ewe (n = 40) feeding study. Feed refusals were higher (P < 0.05) for ewes fed the safflower, but feed conversion efficiency was improved (P < 0.05) for the safflower-fed sheep. Ewes were bred shortly after the 9-wk feeding trial and the proportion of ewes lambing was higher (P < 0.05) in the safflower-fed ewes. Sheep were able to utilise the safflower forage as thorough chewing of spines likely prevented mouth ulceration and the ewes selectively consumed the most nutrient-dense parts of the forage. Key words: Safflower forage, sheep, fertility