1. Diet selection and live-weight changes of two breeds of goats grazing on heathlands.
- Author
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K. Osoro, U. Garc?a, B. M. J?uregui, L. M. M. Ferreira, A. J. Rook, and R. Celaya
- Subjects
GOAT breeds ,GOAT feeding & feeds ,VEGETATION management ,HEATHER ,RANGELANDS ,GRAZING ,ANIMAL breeding - Abstract
AbstractDiet selection, live-weight changes and productivity per hectare of two breeds of goats (Cashmere and local Celtiberic) managed in natural vegetation dominated by heather, and the effect of stocking rate (high or low) in the Cashmere breed, were studied during four grazing seasons. Breed had a significant (P?0.05) between high (???0.6?kg/ha) and low stocking rate treatments (4.1?kg/ha). However it was significantly (P?0.001) worse for the local breed treatment (???51?kg/ha).As a consequence, in these vegetation communities with low abundance and poor quality of herbaceous plants it will be impossible to develop sustainable systems from the animal production point of view, and their management would need to be integrated during the grazing season by alternating with vegetation communities with better quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2007
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