The voluntary intake and digestion of three pasture hays of varying quality by Angora goats was compared with that by Merino sheep. The excretion and retention of nitrogen and sulfur were also measured. When a high quality hay was given, there were no differences between goats and sheep in the intake of organic matter (68 vs 61 g/kg0.75.d) or in organic matter digestibility (digestible organic matter intake) (72 vs 7 1 %). However, the goats appeared to utilize nitrogen less efficiently than the sheep as evidenced by nitrogen retention (673 vs 794 mg/100 g digestible organic matter intake.d), and there was a tendency for sheep to use absorbed energy more efficiently for body tissue synthesis. The apparent digestion of organic matter (65 vs 57%), plant cell wall constituents (67 vs 59%), nitrogen (29 vs 19%) and sulfur (40 vs 33%) in a medium quality hay low in nitrogen was greater in goats than in sheep. There were no differences in intake, but the goats were more efficient at conserving nitrogen (nitrogen retention -87 vs -200 mg/ 100 g digestible organic matter intake.d). Similar trends occurred when a poor quality hay with a higher nitrogen content was given. Goats have apparent advantages over sheep in their ability to digest fibrous feeds and conserve limiting nutrients from such feeds. Consequently, they may require less supplementary feeding than sheep in temperate areas during late summer and autumn when animals graze mature pastures.
In three experiments, quantitative collections of saliva were made from the right parotid duct of six Merino wethers. Experiment 1 assessed the repeatability of the collection techniques and found little difference in salivary parameters measured at intervals over a 6-week period. When chopped lucerne was given at three levels (experiment 2) the secretion rate of parotid saliva (g 19.5h-1) increased (P < 0.01) with increasing lucerne consumption as did the concentrations and amounts of total and urea nitrogen in saliva (P < 0.05 to P< 0.01). Only minor changes in the secretion of total and reducible sulfur occurred. Plasma urea nitrogen (P < 0.05) and blood sulfate sulfur (P < 0.01) concentrations increased with increasing lucerne consumption. Values are given to indicate the variability between sheep in volume and composition of parotid saliva secretions. In experiment 3 the sheep were offered four different roughage diets. The secretion rate of saliva (g 19.5h-1) increased (P < 0.01) when more fibrous roughages were given. The type of roughage also affected (P < 0.01) the concentrations and amounts of total and urea nitrogen in saliva, but there was little effect upon the secretion of total or reducible sulfur. Plasma urea nitrogen and blood sulfate sulfur concentrations were different (P < 0.01) on the various roughage diets. The results are compared with the findings of previous research, and estimates of the amounts of nitrogen and sulfur recycled to the rumen in saliva are made.
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