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Growth And Lambing Performance Of Hair Sheep Grazing Native Pastures During The Dry Season On St. Croix, Virgin Islands

Author

Listed:
  • Wildeus, S.
  • Traugott, K.T.
  • Wildeus, C.
  • McDowell, L.R.

Abstract

The production potential of native pastures, grazed by V.I. White hair sheep, was examined during the dry season (Jan. to Aug. 1987; avg. monthly rainfall: 94mm). Animals were put on a rotational grazing system at a stocking rate of 5 ewes with lambs/ha, on pastures containing predominantly Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) and Leucaena leucocephala, as well as native legumes. Pastures were fertilized (21-0-0; 336kg/ha)in Dec. 1986. Crude protein was 8.1+1.5, 28.3+1.0, and 16.7+1.4%, and in vitro digestibility 53.2+3.0, 59.1±1.7 and 51.4+2.8% in P. maximum, L. leucocephala and the native legumes, respectively. Mature, pregnant ewes (n=40) increased in body weight from 35.6 + 0.9k.g at conception to 47.2±0.8k.g at parturition, producing 5.1+0.3kg of lamb, at a lambing rate of 1.60 lambs/ewe lambing. These ewes weaned 16.6+0.9kg of lamb at 9 weeks post partum, at a weaning rate of 1.43 lambs/ewe lambing. The data suggest that fertilized, native pastures, under a rotational grazing system with moderate stocking rates, are able to support high reproductive rates under dry season conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Wildeus, S. & Traugott, K.T. & Wildeus, C. & McDowell, L.R., 1988. "Growth And Lambing Performance Of Hair Sheep Grazing Native Pastures During The Dry Season On St. Croix, Virgin Islands," 24th Annual Meeting, August 15-20, 1988, Ocho Rios, Jamaica 260318, Caribbean Food Crops Society.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:cfcs88:260318
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.260318
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