An update on the nutrition of dairy sheep grazing Mediterranean pastures

Molle, G.; Decandia, M.; Cabiddu, A.; Landau, S.; Cannas, Antonello

doi:10.1016/j.smallrumres.2008.03.003

Cited by 63 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 82 publications

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“…With regard to protein and fiber content, Sardinian populations did not significantly differ from the commercial variety Spadona. According to Molle et al (2008), the chicory commercial cultivar Spadona (positively evaluated for forage purposes), when ingested by sheep (who are able to select the more proteinaceous and less fibrous part of plants), can exhibit an improved nutritional quality compared to other forages available.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dry matter yield, feeding value, and antioxidant activity in Mediterranean chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) germplasm

Piluzza

Sulas²,

Bullitta³

2014

Turk J Agric For

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Knowledge about the forage yield potential and bioactive compound contents of Mediterranean natural populations of chicory is still scarce, even though it could be very helpful in view of the exploitation of the feeding value of local chicory germplasm for ruminants. Dry matter yield, chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, total polyphenols, flavonoids, and condensed tannins content were determined in 7 natural populations of Mediterranean wild chicory and, as a comparison, in the chicory commercial variety Spadona. Original seed was collected in different pastureland areas of Sardinia (Italy) and plants were grown in North Sardinia. Statistically significant differences were found in the leaf dry matter yield, ranging from 1.3 to 3.8 t ha -1 , and were not found in protein and fiber contents. The local populations were comparable to the commercial variety; however, the antioxidant activities, detected by means of 2 in vitro assays, significantly differed between populations. Among bioactive compounds, total flavonoids ranged from 27 to 37 g catechin equivalent kg -1 dry weight and statistically significant differences were also found in total polyphenol content and nontannic polyphenols; condensed tannins were not detected. Considering the importance of some bioactive compounds for the enhancement of animal nutrition and welfare, the exploitation of variability in bioactive compound content and antioxidant capacity of the chicory natural populations can be important for a more complete valorization of its Mediterranean germplasm.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dry matter yield, feeding value, and antioxidant activity in Mediterranean chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) germplasm

Piluzza

Sulas²,

Bullitta³

2014

Turk J Agric For

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“…Supplementation under these almost-steady conditions often results in substitution effects strictly related to PH or HM, as shown by Molle et al (2008a) for lactating sheep grazing Italian ryegrass and supplemented with 500 g/d of maize per head. This is often associated with shorter grazing time, as shown by Bremm et al (2008) in meat sheep grazing Italian ryegrass in Brazil.…”

Section: Grazing Sheepmentioning

confidence: 99%

Models for estimating feed intake in small ruminants

et al. 2013

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-This review deals with the most relevant limits and developments of the modeling of intake of sheep and goats reared intensively and extensively. Because small ruminants are normally fed ad libitum, voluntary feed intake is crucial in feeding tactics and strategies aimed at optimal animal production. The effects of genetic, neuroendocrine, hormonal, feed and environmental factors on voluntary feed intake were discussed. Then, several mathematical models to estimate dry matter intake (DMI) were examined, with emphasis on empirical models for sheep and goats in intensive farm systems or in extensive areas under pasture or rangeland conditions. A sensitivity analysis of four models of prediction of DMI in housed lactating dairy sheep and meat sheep breeds was also presented. This work evidenced a large variability in the approaches used and in the variables considered for housed sheep and goats. Regarding the estimation of feed intake for grazing sheep and browsing goats, the accuracy of estimates based on empirical models developed so far is very low when applied out of the boundaries of the studied system. Feeding experiments indoors and outdoors remain fundamental for a better modeling and understanding of the interactions between feeds and small ruminants. However, there is a need for biological and theoretical frameworks in which these experiments should be carried out, so that appropriate empirical or mechanistic equations to predict DMI could be developed.

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“…Due to the variability of pasture availability and quality, hay, silages and concentrates are commonly and largely used even in pasture-based systems, especially in flocks with high milk production (Molle et al, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feeding strategies to design the fatty acid profile of sheep milk and cheese

et al. 2014

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-The majority of sheep milk produced in the world is transformed into cheese. Feeding is a major factor affecting the quality of sheep milk and, therefore, of sheep cheese. Because fat is the main compound of cheese, this review gives an update on the effects of feeding and nutrition on milk fat content and deeply discusses feeding strategies aimed at increasing the levels of healthy fatty acids (FA), such as conjugated linoleic acid and omega-3 FA, in milk and cheese in the human diet. In addition, the use of alternative feed resources such as by-products, aromatic plants, and phenolic compounds in the sheep diet and their effects on milk and cheese FA composition are also discussed. Among feeding strategies, grazing and the use of supplements rich in oils seem to be the best and the cheapest strategies to improve the nutritional value of the fatty acid profile in sheep cheese.

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An update on the nutrition of dairy sheep grazing Mediterranean pastures

Cited by 63 publications

References 82 publications

Dry matter yield, feeding value, and antioxidant activity in Mediterranean chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) germplasm

Dry matter yield, feeding value, and antioxidant activity in Mediterranean chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) germplasm

Models for estimating feed intake in small ruminants

Feeding strategies to design the fatty acid profile of sheep milk and cheese

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