Abstract

LARA, P.E; CANCHE, M.C; MARRUFO, N.B  and  SANGINES, J.R. Restricted grazing of Pelibuey ewes in protein banks of mulberry (Morus alba). Pastos y Forrajes [online]. 2007, vol.30, n.2, pp. 1-1. ISSN 0864-0394.

With the objective of measuring the effect of grazing by Pelibuey ewes in a protein bank of mulberry (Morus alba) on the productive performance, a completely randomized trial was carried out and 10 third parturition ewes with 32 ± 2,6 kg LW were used, considering one ewe as experimental unit; the treatments were: control -1 -1 -1 group (C) grazing in star grass plus 250 g of concentrate feed animal d and restricted grazing (2 h d ) in mulberry (M). Difference (P < 0,05) was found in the body condition at the moment of weaning, of 2,46 ± 0,30 in C and 2,00 ± 0,24 in M. The voluntary intake (VI) of the ewes was higher in mulberry, with 5,05% in pregnancy and 2,97% in lactation with regards to group C (4,28 and 2,28%). The weight at birth and weaning, as well as the MDG were better (P < 0,05) in the offspring of group C with 3,77; 15,61 and 0,207 vs 2,82; 13,01 and 0,185 kg, respectively. This was due to a lower prolificacy in C, for which the kilograms born and weaned were higher in M, with 5,86 and 23,41 vs 4,52 and 18,74 for C. The regrowth capacity of mulberry was optimal for grazing after 70 days, for which it is feasible to substitute the supplementation with concentrate in ewes by restricted grazing for 2 h in a mulberry bank during pregnancy and lactation.

Keywords : Morus alba; ewe; silvopastoral systems.

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