?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rft.relation=https%3A%2F%2Forgprints.org%2Fid%2Feprint%2F10813%2F&rft.title=Alternative+forage+crops+for+finishing+lambs&rft.creator=McLean%2C+Barbara&rft.subject=+Crop+combinations+and+interactions&rft.subject=+Sheep+and+goats&rft.subject=+Feeding+and+growth&rft.description=Alternative+forage+crops+offer+a+number+of+benefits+for+farmers+including+a+cheap+finishing+system+for+lambs%2C+benefits+for+soil+condition%2C+fertility+building+for+rotations+and+providing+a+cover+crop.+Certain+forages+have+also+been+demonstrated+to+have+some+anthelmintic+benefits+for+lambs.+A+demonstration+study+was+undertaken+to+investigate+the+potential+of+six+crops+used+in+the+horticulture+industry+(fertility+building+crops)+as+forage+crops+for+weaned+growing+lambs.+The+crops+include+white+mustard%2C+Nemat+(form+of+Rocket)%2C+Crimson+Clover%2C+Sweet+Clover+%2C+Caliente+119+and+Caliente+99+(Cruciferae).+The+grazing+field+was+split+into+three+blocks+and+two+crops+were+sown+in+solid+strips+in+each+block.+Each+block+also+had+grass+headlands.+10+ewe+lambs+were+randomly+allocated+(balanced+for+liveweight)+to+each+block.+Lambs+were+introduced+to+the+blocks+1+week+after+crop+emergence.+Lambs+were+weighed+fortnightly+for+8+weeks.+Mob+faecal+samples+were+also+taken+from+each+group+on+a+fortnightly+basis.+Grazing+behaviour+assessments+were+also+undertaken.+Lambs+grazing+the+mustard+treatment+had+the+least+liveweight+gain+of+the+three+groups+over+the+grazing+period+(average+of+58g%2Fday).+Whereas+lambs+grazing+the+clover+treatment+had+the+greatest+liveweight+gain+(average+of+110g%2Fday).+Lambs+grazing+the+Caliente+treatment+were+intermediate+(average+of+92g%2Fday).+However%2C+in+the+third+grazing+period+lambs+on+the+Caliente+treatment+had+negative+liveweight+gains+(-50+g%2Fday).+Although+activity+varied+throughout+the+day%2C+on+average+75%25+of+lambs+were+grazing+at+any+given+time.+For+the+Caliente+treatment+group+on+average+at+anytime+33%25+of+lambs+were+grazing+the+Caliente+99+variety+compared+to+23%25+grazing+the+Caliente+119+variety.+Only+16%25+of+lambs+were+on+average+grazing+the+grass+areas+at+any+one+time.+In+the+clover+treatment+group+45%25+of+lambs+were+to+be+found+grazing+the+Crimson+clover+sward+at+any+one+time+on+average%2C+22%25+were+grazing+the+Sweet+clover+sward+and+only+3%25+grazing+the+grass+areas.+For+the+mustard+treatment+33%25+of+lambs+on+average+were+grazing+the+Nemat+sward+at+any+time%2C+with+22%25+grazing+the+white+mustard+sward+and+the+grass+areas.%0D%0A%0D%0AThis+study+suggests+that+fertility+building+crops+such+as+Caliente%2C+clover+and+mustard+can+be+utilised+as+a+grazed+forage+crops.+However%2C+it+may+be+more+appropriate+to+sow+the+crops+as+a+mixed+crop+for+grazing+rather+than+as+monoculture.+This+would+also+increase+any+environmental+benefits+such+as+an+increase+in+biodiversity.&rft.date=2007-02&rft.type=Report&rft.type=NonPeerReviewed&rft.format=application%2Fpdf&rft.language=en&rft.identifier=%2Fid%2Feprint%2F10813%2F1%2Faltcrops07.pdf&rft.identifier=+++McLean%2C+Barbara+++++++++(2007)+Alternative+forage+crops+for+finishing+lambs.++++ADAS+Pwllperian+.++++