The growing demand for meat worldwide by the increasing human population (6.8 billion) calls for an increase in livestock production as well as attention to environmental sustainability. Production increases are critical especially in Africa with the highest annual population growth rate (2.5%), where most communities rely on livestock for protein supply. Attempts by intensive livestock farming to optimize production are limited by fibrous quality feeds (roughages) and their unavailability in both developed and developing countries. The overall objective of this study was to scan both domestic and wild herbivores in search for microbial ecosystems with superior fibrolytic potential that can be used as feed additives. It was hypothesized that microbes from wild herbivore can improve fibrous feed breakdown in domesticated ruminants. Experiment 1 evaluated the use of fresh or in vitro cultured faecal inoculum (FF) from two Jersey cows as a potential substitute for rumen fluid (RF). Cultured FF was a better substitute for fresh RF as demonstrated by percentage differences in exocellulase activity (0.4%) and true degradability (TD) (7%), compared to the differences observed between fresh RF and FF for exocellulase activity (33%) and TD (14%). It was applied in subsequent experimentation because it was cost effective (no surgery and reduced sample collection time). The second experiment compared the fibrolytic competence of cultured faecal inocula from three hindgut fermenters (miniature horse (mH), horse (H) and Zebra (ZB)) in summer and winter grazing in their natural environment. Both cellulase enzyme assays (exocellulase, endocellulase and hemicellulase) and in vitro maize stover digestibility study ranked the herbivores according to their fibrolytic competence as ZB > H > mH. The effect of cultured faecal inocula from H, ZB and wildebeest (WB) and its combined systems (N1=H+WB, N2=H+ZB, N3=WB+ZB and N4=H+WB+ZB) on the fermentation of maize stover were also evaluated in vitro. Both enzyme assays and MS degradability studies showed that the combined systems were higher (P<0.01) in fibrolytic activities compared to the individual systems. The microbial ecosystems were ranked as N1 > N2 > N4 > H > ZB > WB >N3; and N3 > N1 > N4 > WB > N2 > ZB >H by their exocellulase activity and degradability parameters, repetitively. The diversity of microbial ecosystems was confirmed by numerous active carboxymethyl cellulase bands present on a carboxymethy cellulose zymograms in experiment 4. The combined microbial ecosystems contain more active and variable bands of cellulases than in the individual microbial ecosystems. Systems N3 and N1 were considered as the best inocula for rumen transinoculation studies. Experiment 5 assessed the in vivo effect of direct-fed microbials from N1 and N3 on MS degradation, ruminal fermentation characteristics and cellulase enzyme profile in sheep. Feed dry matter intake increased (P<0.03) in N1 but tended to increase when inoculated with N3. The treatments, N1 and N3 increased (P<0.05) rumen exocellulase (9.4 and 33.2%, respectively) and endocellulase (82.1 and 47.1%, respectively) specific activities but not hemicellulase activity. Maize stover degradability parameters for N3 (TD, degradability of the insoluble fraction of MS, effective degradability, total SCFA and propionate) measured after 96 h of incubation tended (P>0.05) to be numerically different (1.1, 5.4, 7.1 and 7.9%, respectively). Increase in propionate for N3 was accompanied by higher total SCFA and lower CH4. A decrease in CH4 and no difference in CO2 allow both systems to be environmentally friendly since they have been associated with global warming. These studies showed that direct-fed microbials from N1 and N3 inocula have the potential of improving the utilization of maize stover feeds in ruminants, particularly in view of its simplicity and availability which allows it to be implemented at a relatively lower cost compared to other specific strains or microbial cultures. However, more research is required to identify, purify and classify the superior fibrolytic microbes in the most active ecosystems. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of an exogenous multi-blend enzyme ( -glucanase and xylanase) on the performance of the broiler chickens and laying hens fed diets based on wheat and barley. Experiments were conducted on a flock of broilers and two flocks of laying hens. In both cases feed and water were provided ad libitum. The enzyme effect of enzyme addition on the broiler performance involved 2080 day-old male and female chicks in 48 pens, allocated one of four dietary treatments (0, 50, 100 or 200g/ton enzyme supplementation), to 35 days of age. On day 35, ten birds from each treatment were sacrificed for the analysis of the digestive organs weight (gizzards and livers). The trial was divided into two phases: a starter (1 to 21 d) and grower (22 to 35 d). Feed consumption was measured weekly and birds were also weighed weekly. The investigation of enzyme effect in laying hen diets involved 896 birds for each specific period. Each replicate consisted of four cages (four birds per cage) with a common feeder; 16 hens/pen of 56 pens. Eggs were weighed three times a week, feed consumption weekly and birds every weeks. The addition of a multi-blend enzyme significantly improve body weight, body weight gain, food intake, and feed conversion ratio for both sexes (P<0.05) in broiler chickens. There was a significant improvement in egg production in laying hens (P<0.05). Egg weight and egg mass were not significantly improved. Wheat and barley have cell wall components (arabinoxylans and -glucans respectively) which have a negative effect on the nutritive value of these feeds and therefore performance in poultry fed diets based on these ingredients. Addition of an exogenous multi-blend enzyme( -glucanase and xylanase) could help reduce these effects and improve performance and digestibility values in poultry. The null hypothesis was there will be no difference between supplemented and un-supplemented diets based on wheat and barley in performance of poultry. The results of this study suggest that the inclusion of 50 g/ton enzyme helps improve poultry performance, especially in young birds. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

Breeding companies advertise their chickens as having been selected for heavier breast meat. However, when comparisons are made between strains, these are normally made at a common age, and under these conditions the heaviest birds will have the heaviest breast meat yield. More meaningful comparisons would be made by relating breast weight to body protein weight, as these are allometrically related. Two experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that the allometric relationship for each body part is the same irrespective of strain, sex and feed protein content, i.e. that geneticists have not been successful in changing the allometric relationship between breast meat weight and body protein weight. In the first trial, three strains, two sexes and four feed protein levels were used to 6 weeks of age, and in the second, four strains, two sexes and three feed protein levels were used to 12 weeks. Birds were sampled weekly, and the weights of breast meat (no skin or bone) and the meat and skin of the thigh, drum and wing were recorded before determining the body protein content of each of 1526 broilers. The hypothesis could not be corroborated when the data from the two trials were combined so a further trial was conducted to determine the amount of lipid that is deposited in the meat and skin of each of the commercially important parts of the broiler, on the assumption that differences in lipid deposition between strains, sexes and feed protein levels in the various physical parts would assist in explaining the anomalies in the analyses. It was confirmed in the third trial that the small differences between the observed and predicted weights of the physical parts may be accounted for through varying amounts of lipid deposition in these parts, depending on strain, sex and feed protein level, which must be accounted for when using allometry to predict the weights of the physical parts of the broiler at different stages of growth. The data collected in this series of trials may be used to predict the weights of these physical parts more accurately than has been the case to date. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

Three experiments were designed to find the most efficient and cost-effective method of meeting the changing amino acid requirements of male and female pigs during the growing period, using the minimum number of feeds. Trial one involved 144, and trial two 192 commercial crossbred (Landrace x Large White) pigs, eight to a pen, with sexes separate. Trial three involved 24 commercial crossbred (Landrace x Large White) pigs and 24 Dalland pigs each penned separately. The amino acid requirements (g/d) for the pigs in all three trials were determined for male and female Landrace x Large White pigs, respectively, using the Pig Growth Model (EFO Software Natal, 1995). Parameter values used for males and females were: growth rate (B, Id) 0.0107 and 0.0120; protein at maturity (Pmat, kg) 39.0 and 28.0; and lipid at maturity (Lpmat, kg) 2.60 and 3.89 respectively. In trials 1 and 2 two iso-energetic (DE 13.8 MJ/kg) basal feeds were formulated; Basal A being a high crude protein (CP) (347g CP/kg) feed designed to meet the amino acid requirements of a male at 20 kg liveweight, while Basal B was a low protein feed (l34g CP/kg) designed to meet the amino acid requirements of a female at 88 kg, thus providing for the most- and the least-demanding pigs on the trial. In the third trial, two iso-energetic (DE 13.8 MJ/kg) basal feeds were again formulated; Basal A being a high crude protein (CP) (347g CP/kg) feed designed to be 20% higher than the amino acid requirements of a male at 20 kg liveweight, while Basal B was a low protein feed (l34g CP/kg) designed to be 20% lower than the amino acid requirements of a female at 88 kg, once again providing for the most- and the least-demanding pigs on the trial. Trials 1 and 2 began when the median weight of pigs in each pen reached 20kg, and were terminated at a pen median of 85 kg liveweight. In the third trial each pig was started on trial when it reached 20kg and was terminated at a weight of 85kg. The first trial involved a phase feeding schedule (20-40, 40-60 and 60-85kg liveweight). The two basal feeds were blended in different proportions to create three feeds per phase: lysine contents in each of the phases in Treatment 1 (TI) were: 11, 8.68 and 7.26g/kg; in T2 they were 9.93, 7.58 and 6.24g/kg; and in T3, 8.85, 6.48 and 5.22g/kg. From the analysis it was established that ADO and time to reach 85kg were the only variables to show significance. ADO exhibited a significant sex x treatment interaction. There were significant differences between treatments for time taken to reach slaughter weight. In addition to a treatment effect there was a sex x treatment interaction for time to slaughter weight. It was expected that males on Tl and females on T3 would exhibit the most efficient performance for their respective sex since these treatments were specifically formulated to meet their requirements. Midway through the trial the pigs contracted enteritis, this affecting the outcome of the trial by inhibiting the potential growth of the pigs. The results of the trial indicated that dietary protein level affected the time taken to reach slaughter weight. This led to the second trial where four treatments were applied. Three of the four treatments followed a fixed feeding schedule, making use of the two basal feeds and a 1: 1 blend of these. The fourth treatment followed a phase feeding schedule, differing between the males (20-65, 65-75 and 75-85 kg liveweight) and the females (20-35, 35-75 and 75-85 kg liveweight). This treatment also made use of the two basal feeds and a 1: 1 blend of these. From the analysis it was found that there were no significant effects of sex and no interactions between feeding treatments and sex; however, ADO, FI, FCE, back fat thickness, time taken to reach 85kg and cost/kg gain were all significantly affected by the feeding treatments. Carcass lean, carcass lipid and total body lipid were also significantly affected by the feeding treatment. This trial was conducted to determine the extent to which differences in growth rate, food intake and carcass lipid could be altered by dietary means. The effect of the level of feed protein was once again shown to be of importance when feeding growing pigs. The third trial was designed to test the efficiency with which two strains make use of the dietary protein supplied. Three treatments were applied: Tl was a choice-feeding treatment in which the pigs were offered the two basal feeds simultaneously. T2 and T3 followed a phase feeding schedule (20-40, 40-60 and 60-85kg liveweight). The two basal feeds were blended in various proportions to create three feeds per phase: the lysine contents in each of the phases in T2 were: 12.2, 10.0 and 7.26g/kg; and in T3 8.1, 6.7 and 5.1g/kg. There were significant sex effects as well as strain x feeding treatment interactions. All variables, ADG, FI, FCE, time taken to reach 85kg and cost/kg gain, with the exception of back fat thickness, showed significance. It was expected that the Dalland strain would perform better than the Cross strain; however, this was not the case, indicating the need for further research into the possibility of feeding according to the genetic makeup of the animal. The importance of meeting the amino acid requirements of the growing pig was evident when summarising the results of the three trials reported here. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

This study was designed to devise a method by which the optimum combination of dietary energy and protein could be found that maximises the margin over feeding cost in an egg production enterprise. It was necessary to be able to predict feeding costs and revenue associated with the use of a wide range of feeds varying in protein and energy. To this end, two experiments were conducted using 256 Lohmann (128 White and 128 Brown) in the first, and 1296 Hy-line Brown laying birds in the second trial, that were 33 and 38 weeks old at the beginning of the two trials. Using the WinFeed 1.1 (1996) feed formulation programme, four basal (corner) feeds were formulated in both experiments, from which four protein and four energy contents (16 feeds) were produced in the first experiment, and six protein and three energy contents ( 18 feeds) were used in the second. Each feed was given to three replicates of 16 birds in the first trial, and to three replicates of 24 birds in the second. The trials each lasted ten weeks, and the data collected included food intake, change in body weight, egg weight and rate of laying. Using the results from these two experiments and from previously published research, the effects of dietary protein and energy on food intake were predicted independently, and these predictions were then used to determine the cost of feeding. Similarly, egg weight and rate of lay were predicted independently for changes in dietary protein and energy, from which the revenue could be calculated over the range of energy and protein contents. It is understood that a more integrated approach would be more accurate for this purpose, but such an approach was beyond the scope of this investigation. The use of contour plots based on regression analyses of the estimated income-minus-feeding cost on changes in dietary protein and energy enabled evaluations to be made of the effect on profitability of changes in egg price and maize price. And it was deduced that under conditions in which the maize price is high, maximum profitability is achieved with high energy and high protein content, irrespective of the price paid for eggs. When the maize price is reduced, the combination of protein and energy that yields the highest return over feed cost changes to low protein and low energy feeds. This change is defensible on the grounds that the price of high-density feeds does not change as much as that of low-density feeds when the maize price is lowered, whereas production, and hence returns, remains the same, hence the low density feeds yield higher returns under such circumstances. The method applied in this study appears to be a useful tool for decision-making by egg producers and nutritionists. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

This study was conducted to determine the influence of factors on the efficiency of protein utilization and the rate of lipid deposition and withdrawal in growing pigs. Two experiments were conducted in total. The first experiment involved fifty-two crossbred entire Large White x Landrace male pigs, individually penned, which were used to test the proposition that the efficiency of protein utilisation is influenced by the body composition of the pig at the start of the trial. The experiment was divided into two phases: in the first period, starting at 20kg liveweight, when 3 pigs were slaughtered to determine the initial body composition of the pigs on the trial, the remaining 48 pigs were divided into three groups, two of which were fed ad libitum, with 11 pigs being offered a feed high in crude protein (HP, 1979 CP/kg) and 19 pigs being offered a low CP (LP, 166g/kg) feed. The remaining 19 pigs were fed HP on a restricted basis; the daily allowance being 0.7 of the mean intake of those pigs fed HP ad libitum. The objective of this initial period was to create three groups of pigs differing in body lipid content. As each pig achieved a protein weight of approximately 5.9kg, predicted to occur when the pigs on the three treatments reached live weights of 35, 39 and 34kg respectively, the pig entered phase 2 of the trial. At this stage three pigs from each treatment (a total of 9 pigs) were slaughtered for carcass analysis, the protein contents being approximately 5.9kg, and lipid contents being 85,98 and 87g/kg for the 3 treatments respectively. During phase 2, the 8 pigs fed HP in phase 1 continued to be fed HP in phase 2; 8 pigs were chosen at random from those fed LP in phase 1 and were allocated the high CP basal feed, while the remaining 8 were given LP; and 8 of the pigs feed-restricted in phase 1 were randomly chosen and fed HP, while the remaining 8 were given LP. All pigs were fed ad libitum during phase 2. Four pigs from each treatment in phase 2 were slaughtered after 1 week and the remaining 4 a week later for analysis of body composition In the first week of the second phase of the trial protein gain was highest (264g/d) on the pigs previously restricted and then fed HP, followed by those previously fed LP and then HP (242g/d), with pigs previously restricted and then fed LP depositing the least amount of protein (192g/d). Pigs fed LP or HP throughout, had protein gains of 217 and 210g/d, respectively. Efficiencies of utilization of dietary protein did not differ significantly between treatments, however, the highest being measured in pigs fed LP throughout (461g/kg), followed in order by those fed LP and then HP (457g/kg), those fed HP throughout (404g/kg), those previously restricted and then fed LP (394g/kg), with those previously restricted and then fed HP being the least efficient (372g/kg). The second experiment involved twenty-six male and twenty-six female crossbred Large White x Landrace pigs, individually penned, which were used to determine the maximum rate at which growing pigs can gain lipid. The experiment was divided into three phases: In the first, starting at 20kg live weight (56 days old), when two males and 2 females were slaughtered to determine the initial body composition of the pigs on the trial, the remaining 24 males and 24 females were randomly allocated to their various treatments. The treatments consisted of a feed high in crude protein (H, 197g/kg), a feed low in CP (L, 166g/kg) and three blends, namely 5OH/5OL (180g/kg) (male diet), 30H/70L (167g/kg) (both male and female diets) and 20H/80L (162g/kg) (female diet). Six pigs from each sex were allocated to each treatment. The EFG Pig Growth Model was used to determine the fat contents (lipid index) on the two feeds available and the three blends, to estimate the best times to sample pigs. It was estimated that phase 1 would terminate at 63 d, phase 2 at 70 d and phase 3 at 77 d of age. At the end of each phase two pigs from each sex and treatment were slaughtered. The lipid contents differed significantly between treatments at the end of phase 2 for the male pigs, with the highest being measured in pigs fed L (108g/kg), followed in order by those fed 70L/30H (86g/kg), those fed 5OL/5OH (74g/kg), and those fed H (68g/kg) with the least lipid content. The lipid contents of the female pigs were highly significantly different at the end of phase 3, with the highest being measured in pigs fed L (147g/kg), followed in order by those fed 80L/20H (124g/kg), those fed 70L/3OH (116g/kg) and the least lipid content from those fed H (115g/kg). As estimated by the EFG Pig Growth Model, the male and female pigs fed L treatment had the highest lipid content and those fed H treatment, achieving their target rate of lipid deposition, with the lowest lipid content. This study indicates that the response in protein gain and in efficiency of utilization of protein of pigs to a given feed is dependent on the amount and quality of the feed given to the animals previously. Also, the maximum rate of lipid deposition can be achieved by monitoring the changes in lipid deposition over a period of time, which enables an enhanced understanding of the theory of food intake regulation in a growing pig. As a result, accurate changes can be made when designing a phase-feeding program for growing pigs. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

The increased demand for breast meat of broiler chickens has challenged researchers to investigate management techniques that could be used to increase the production of this valuable commodity. Two experiments were conducted in this study; the first investigated the effect of early feeding of newly hatched broilers on breast meat yield (BMY) at market weight, and the second focused on improving BMY of broilers exposed to short daylengths by feeding higher than conventional levels of dietary protein. In the first experiment, of the 528 eggs set in the incubator, half were placed, at day 18, in hatching trays containing a commercial broiler starter feed whilst the others (the held group) were hatched conventionally. Six chicks from both fed and held groups were sampled at nine-hour intervals from the time that the first chicks hatched for a subsequent period of 36 h. After measuring their body weight these chicks were euthanised and dissected in order to measure their breast and yolk weights. Body protein, lipid and water contents were measured on each chick. At day 21, six birds from the fed and held groups were sampled, and body weight, breast weight and body protein content were measured. The yolk sac weight for fed birds was significantly reduced compared to that of held birds (P < 0.001). Both fed and held birds had the same breast weight at hatch, but at day 21 the mean breast weight of the fed birds was significantly heavier than of held birds (P < 0.05). The birds that were removed first from the hatcher had a reduced breast muscle weight compared to those that were removed last. In the second experiment, a total of 3200 day-old broiler chicks were reared in eight light-tight rooms. Four lighting regimens (12L: 12D, 16L: 8D, 20L: 4D and 24L: 0D) were randomised between rooms, with each light treatment being replicated twice. Each room was divided into four pens and 100 chicks in each pen received one of four dietary protein treatments. At day 35, three birds from each pen were sacrificed so that measurements could be made of breast, thigh, drum and wing weight, and carcass chemical composition. Breast weight increased as daylengths increased except in birds that were fed low protein diet (143 g protein/kg feed). High levels of dietary protein increased breast weight in birds on all other daylengths except for those on 12 h which showed a reduced breast muscle weight when dietary protein content was increased. The results of the first trial suggests that breast meat yield could be improved if newly hatched chicks are offered feed immediately after hatch, however the hypothesis that this increment was due to an overall increase in body protein content in the first few days after hatching could not be corroborated. The results further showed that held birds do not withdraw nutrients from breast muscle to maintain growth at hatch, this is because birds that stayed longer in the hatchery without feed showed increased breast muscle weight compared to those that were removed first. The second trial could not identify a suitable feeding programme to overcome the problem of a lower breast muscle weight that results from the use of 12 h of lighting compared to that when long daylengths are used. Highest breast weight was obtained when birds were fed high protein diet at 20 h. More research is required to further investigate the combined effect of early feeding and daylength on breast meat yield in broiler chickens. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

The broad objective of the study was to determine feeding behaviour and gut health of pigs fed different fibres at varying inclusion levels. Maize cob, maize stover, sunflower hulls, veld grass, sawdust, lucerne and dried citrus pulp were used in growing and finishing pig diets to provide a wide range of physicochemical properties. Time spent eating, drinking, lying down, sitting/standing and other activities was observed using video cameras. Blood samples were collected at the end of the trial for both growing and finishing pigs for analysis of glycated haemoglobin, albumin, globulin, total protein, creatine kinase, urea and uric acid. Intestinal segments were collected at the end of trial for growing pigs to determine mucosal architecture of the intestines. Digestible energy (DE), bulk density (BD), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and water holding capacity (WHC) were the most important variables predicting time spent on different behavioural activities in growing pigs (P < 0.001). Water holding capacity, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and ADF were the most important variables involved in predicting time spent on different behavioural activities in finishing pigs (P < 0.001). Physicochemical properties influenced time spent on different behavioural activities and they provided relationships with time spent on different behavioural activities in both growing and finishing pigs. Glycated haemoglobin, albumin, globulin, total protein and uric acid were factors that influenced time spent eating in growing pigs (P < 0.05). In finishing pigs, only serum total protein was selected as the best predictor variable influencing time spent eating (P < 0.05). The blood metabolites were correlated with time spent eating and drinking. They provided threshold values with time spent eating and drinking by pig. Hence, they can also be used as potential biomarkers that modulate neuronal pathways which reduce time spent eating and drinking. In this study, bulk density (BD) and NDF were the best predictor variables influencing villi height (VH) and apparent villi surface area (AVSA) in pigs (P < 0.05). Grouped pigs fed fibrous diet spent more time eating, lying down, standing, walking and fighting (P < 0.05). Skin lesions appeared the most on neck and shoulder region followed by chest, stomach and hind leg region, and finally head region (P < 0.05). Fibrous diet did not reduce aggressive behaviours, rather aggressive behaviours emanated out of frustration when queuing at the feeder. It was concluded that physicochemical properties of fibrous diets and nutritionally-related blood metabolites influence feeding behaviour. Mucosal architecture was also influenced by physicochemical properties of the fibrous diets. / Ph.D. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 2013.

This thesis defines digestion kinetics for perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), which is the main component of diets fed to dairy cows in New Zealand. Chemical composition and digestion kinetics were measured in fresh minced ryegrass as it matured and leaf, stem and inflorescence of several grass species. In sacco and in vitro incubations were used to define rates of degradation and nutrient release. Two short-term grazing trials were used to evaluate contrasting silages as supplements for cows fed restricted amounts of summer pasture. The minced preparation of ryegrass resulted in a similar distribution of dry matter (DM) between particle size fraction and rumen digesta from cows fed pasture. Mincing released 0.46 – 0.80 of crude protein into the soluble fraction, with highest proportions for mature grasses which had low CP concentrations (about 8 g CP/100 g DM). In contrast, the majority of fibre remained in the insoluble fraction but rates of degradation (k) approximately halved as grass matured. In vitro yield of VFA was similar for immature and mature minced ryegrass (after 12 hours VFA was equivalent to about 30% of DM), even though ammonia concentration declined to very low values for stem and mature grass. This suggests the rapid initial microbial growth was able to sustain a high level of DM degradation to VFA with mature grass. The summer pasture used for silage supplementation was of uncharacteristically good quality so the expected contrasts between maize, pasture, sulla (Hedysarum coronarium), lotus (Lotus corniculatus) and sulla/maize silage mixtures were less than expected. Milk responses to lotus silage supplements were greater than other silages (e.g.: 290 g milksolids from 54 MJ ME by lotus versus 110 g milksolids from about 50 MJ ME supplied by other silages). Pasture substitution was low (0.06 – 0.33). The Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) was chosen for evaluation of cow trial data because it uses feed degradation parameters as input variables to estimate nutrient supply. Model prediction of milk yield matched observed values when cows maintained liveweight. Milk yield was underestimated at low intakes and overestimated at high intakes because no allowance is made for nutrient partitioning between milk production and liveweight change.

Five rotational grazing experiments were carried out at Massey University's Riverside farm, in the Wairarapa, on the East Coast of the Southern North Island, New Zealand, to compare the effects of feeding Lotus corniculatus L. (birdsfoot trefoil; cv. Grasslands Goldie) or perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)/white clover (Trifolium repens) dominant pasture upon sheep year round productivity. These studies also investigated under grazing, seasonal and annual net herbage accumulation rate and seasonal dynamics of undisturbed (i.e. non-grazed) net herbage accumulation rate of L. corniculatus relative to that of grass-dominant pasture. Aspects of in vivo digestibility of dry matter (DMD), organic matter (OMD), digestible organic matter in the dry matter (DOMD) and metabolisable energy (ME) concentration of L. corniculatus at different stages of maturity over the spring, summer and autumn were investigated in three indoor digestion trials. 1. Two field experiments (Chapter 2) were conducted during spring to assess the effects of grazing mixed age undrenched ewes on L. corniculatus (n = 50) or pasture (n = 50) and their lambs (mainly twins) on live weight (LW), wool production, faecal nematode egg count (FEC) and dag score. In Experiment 1 (18 October 2000 to 21 January 2001) and Experiment 2 (3 October 2001 to 2 January 2002) both forages were fed ad libitum. Total condensed tannin (CT) concentration in the diet selected was 24 to 27 g CT/kg DM for L. corniculatus and 1.4 to 1.5 g CT/kg DM for pasture. The LW gain, weaning LW and wool production were consistently greater (P < 0.001) for lambs grazing L. corniculatus, in either Experiment 1 (258 vs. 189 g/day; 36.1 vs. 30.1kg; 1.17 vs. 0.98 kg) and in Experiment 2 (247 vs. 162 g/day; 31.8 vs. 24.1kg; 1.17 vs. 0.81 kg), respectively. Ewe and lamb dag scores were strongly and positively correlated with dag weight (P < 0.001) and generally increased with time in sheep grazing pasture, whilst grazing on L. corniculatus consistently reduced dag score. FEC in ewes grazing pasture showed a post-parturient rise (PPR) following lambing, whilst ewes grazing L. corniculatus had a reduced PPR in FEC. Up to day 70, FEC in lambs grazing L. corniculatus was lower than that for lambs grazing pasture, but between day 70 and the end of both experiments (approximately day 90), FEC in lambs grazing L. corniculatus increased to similar values as for pasture-fed lambs. FEC was not correlated with dag score or dag weight in ewes or lambs grazing pasture, but these indices were weakly and positively correlated in ewes and lambs grazing L. corniculatus, suggesting that lowering FEC on L. corniculatus also reduced dag formation. It was concluded that under dryland farming conditions, the use of L. corniculatus during the spring/early summer lactation period can increase lamb LW and wool production, whilst eliminating the need for pre-lambing anthelmintic drenching and probably reducing the amount of insecticide needed to control flystrike. These effects compared to pasture are probably due to higher digestibilty, higher ME concentration, higher voluntary feed intake (VFI), and to the effect of CT in reducing rumen protein degradability and controlling internal parasites in sheep grazing L. corniculatus. The absence of endophyte in L. corniculatus may have also have contributed to these effects. 2. During 2001 and 2002 (Chapter 3), grazing trials from February to November were conducted for 279 days (Experiments 1) and 285 days (Experiment 2), to compare the effects of grazing shorn mixed age Romney ewes in light condition on L. corniculatus versus pasture during the mating period (9 weeks, Experiment 1) and 11 weeks (Experiment 2). In Experiment 2, the length of time (days) that ewes need to graze L. corniculatus before mating to maximise reproductive performance was also investigated. Common objectives in both Experiments were to measure forage feeding effects on ewe wool production and LW of their lambs at weaning. In Experiment 1, groups of ewes (n = 100) were fed on either L. corniculatus or pasture at a herbage allowance of 1.8 kg green DM/ewe/day for the first three weeks of feeding and increased to ad libitum (2.3 kg green DM/ewe/day) during the mating period for two cycles. In Experiment 2, groups of 75 ewes grazed L. corniculatus for 42, 21, 10 and 0 days before a synchronised oestrus, with pasture being grazed for the balance of the 42 days. All L. corniculatus groups continued grazing L. corniculatus for a further 5 weeks. Feed allowance was initially 2.0 kg green DM/ewe/day, increased to 2.3 kg green DM/ewe/day during the mating period over the two cycles. At the end of L. corniculatus feeding in both experiments the groups were combined and grazed on pasture until weaning. Total CT concentration in the diet selected was 18 to 29 g CT/kg DM for L. corniculatus, with only trace amounts in pasture. In Experiment 1 mating ewes on L. corniculatus compared to pasture increased number of lambs born and lambs weaned per ewe lambing by 16 and 32% units respectively (P < 0.05), due to more multiple and less single births (P = 0.06) and to reduced lamb mortality (P < 0.05) between birth and weaning. In Experiment 2, increasing the numbers of days of grazing L. corniculatus before ovulation (0, 10, 21, 42 days) linearly increased ovulation rate (P < 0.05), lambs born and lamb weaned by up to 16% units, but had no effect upon lamb mortality. Mating ewes on L. corniculatus increased wool production (P < 0.01) and fibre length (P < 0.05) in Experiment 1 but not in Experiment 2. Grazing L. corniculatus had no effect on lamb birth weight and only small positive effects on weaning LW. It was concluded that, under commercial dryland farming conditions, the use of L. corniculatus during the mating season in late summer/autumn can be used to increase reproductive efficiency and wool production, with the largest responses in years with exceptionally dry autumn periods. These effects are probably due to the higher digestibility and ME concentration of L. corniculatus than pasture and to the CT in L. corniculatus reducing rumen protein degradability and leading to greater essential amino acid (EAA) absorption from the small intestine. Effects of forage CT upon the uterine microenvironment at the time of conception, implantation and early foetal growth, need to be investigated in future studies. It is also suggested that effects of mating on L. corniculatus upon lamb mortality between birth and weaning should be further investigated with ewe numbers/treatment increased from 100 to 350. 3. During the summer of 2002/2003, another grazing trial (Chapter 4: 95 days) compared the effects of grazing L. corniculatus and pasture on LW and the dynamics of nematode parasite infection in Suffolk x Romney weaned lambs fed ad libitum. Half of the lambs (n = 30) grazing either L. corniculatus or pasture received oral anthelmintic at the start and at monthly intervals (regular-drenched groups), whilst the remaining 30 lambs in each treatment only received oral anthelmintic when mean faecal nematode egg counts (FECs) exceed 1,000 eggs/g wet faeces (trigger-drenched groups), which occurred on day 58 only for both groups. Trigger and regular-drench lambs grazed separate areas. Total CT concentration in the diet selected was 40 to 31 g CT/kg DM for L. corniculatus, with only trace amounts in pasture. Regular-drenched lambs grazing L. corniculatus had significantly higher LW gain (298 g/day) and carcass weight gain (133 g/day) than all the other groups, whilst trigger-drenched lambs grazing L. corniculatus had significantly greater LW gain (228 g/day) and carcass gain (99 g/day) than regular-drenched (200; 66 g/day) and trigger-drenched (187; 63 g/day) lambs grazing pasture. Carcass fatness was significantly lower for trigger-drenched lambs than for regular-drenched lambs, when fed either L. corniculatus or pasture. Dag score was consistently lower for regular-drenched lambs grazing L. corniculatus than pasture; trigger-drenched lambs showed similar effects up to day 48, with no differences between the two groups thereafter. Regular anthelmintic treatment maintained FECs at low values, while parasitised lambs on L. corniculatus tended to have higher FECs than pasture-fed lambs. Relative to trigger-drenched lambs that grazed pasture, grazing trigger-drenched lambs on L. corniculatus had significantly reduced worm burdens of Haemochus contortus, Teladosargia spp., Nematodirus spp. and Cooperia spp. at slaughter, but greater burdens of Trichostrongylus spp., Chabertia ovina, Oesophagostonum spp. and Trichuris ovis were present in L. corniculatus-fed lambs. It was concluded that grazing L. corniculatus under dryland farming conditions compared to pasture can increase LW gain of weaned lambs, whilst reducing reliance on anthelmintic drenches to control parasites. These effects are probably due to increased protein supply from the action of CT enabling the lambs to have a higher LW gain when carrying a parasite burden, and to L. corniculatus better maintaining its high ME value under drought conditions. Using L. corniculatus to finish weaned lambs without anthelmintic drenches for a seven-week period is proposed. 4. A three-year study (Chapter 5; November 2000 to October 2003) was conducted to compare, under grazing conditions, seasonal and annual grazed net herbage accumulation rate and seasonal dynamics of undisturbed (i.e. non-grazed) net herbage accumulation rate of L. corniculatus relative to grass-dominant pasture. Prediction equations to estimate standing DM in L. corniculatus and pasture from the rising plate meter (RPM) and sward surface height were also generated. L. corniculatus and pasture growing in a moderate fertility and low-pH soil (pH 5.35) accumulated similar total herbage masses (24.3 vs. 24.1 t DM/ha) over the 3-year period, with the DM production being greater for L. corniculatus than for pasture during 2000-2001, producing more DM during summer/autumn drought conditions. The net herbage accumulation rate from undisturbed areas of L. corniculatus and pasture were similar in spring, summer and autumn. Seasonal variation in the calibration regressions fitted to estimate herbage mass of L. corniculatus non-destructively, suggested a combination of destructive and nondestructive methods are needed to assess herbage mass. It was concluded that L. corniculatus has the potential to increase the performance of a pasture-based sheep dryland farming system due to its ability to grow in acidic soils, its tolerance of drought conditions during summer/autumn and its seasonality of feed supply. 5. Three digestion experiments involving cryptorchid weaned lambs were conducted for 14 days over the spring, summer and autumn to determine changes in in vivo digestibility of DM, OM, digestible OM in the DM and ME concentration of L. corniculatus at different stages of maturity. In vivo digestibility samples were then used as standards to investigate if the enzymatic in vitro system of Roughan and Holland (1977) could predict OMD and DOMD of CT-containing L. corniculatus. Digestibility of L. corniculatus declined as it matured, but the rate of decline was much less than occurs for temperate grasses and for white clover. It was concluded that the in vitro enzymatic system of Roughan and Holland (1977) can be used to predict OMD and DOMD of L. corniculatus, provided a standard curve involving in vivo data generated with L. corniculatus is used. Using a standard curve with in vivo data from pasture led to bias which increased at lower OMD values. Reasons for the consistent differences between L. corniculatus and pasture standard curves are discussed, including possible effects of residual bound CT in lowering in vitro digestibility. From this series of experiments, this study is the first to report that relative to conventional perennial ryegrass/white clover, mating ewes on L. corniculatus under grazing conditions may reduce post-natal lamb mortality. It is also the first study to show that grazing sheep on L. corniculatus can maintain productivity during spring and summer with reduced dependence on anthelmintic drench input. It is concluded that whole farm modelling, mechanical harvesting and conservation strategies, selection of L. corniculatus germplasm for creeping-type plants more suited to grazing and the integration of new crops containing secondary compounds, such as chicory, should be considered to support major advances in sustainable dryland sheep farming systems.