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U8 GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF WEANED LAMBS: THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT CONCENTRATE LEVELS IN THEIR DIET

Angela Maria Rodriguez·Samuel James Williams
Published 23 January 2025
Vol. 12, No. 1 (2024)
pp. 1-11
CC BY 4.0
  1. 1
    Angela Maria Rodriguez
    University of Trinidad and Tobago, ECIAF Campus, Caroni North Bank Road, Centeno Arima, Trinidad
    TT
  2. 2
    Samuel James Williams
    University of Trinidad and Tobago, Eastern Caribbean Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, Faculty of Biosciences, Agriculture and Food Technology, Caroni North Bank Road, Centeno Arima, Trinidad
    TT

In Trinidad and Tobago, the productivity of small ruminant livestock faces several challenges, including inadequate reproductive strategies, genetic stock, and veterinary services. However, the most critical factor limiting productivity is the poor feed supply and feeding system, given that the available feed resources mainly consist of natural pastures and crop residues. These feed sources are characterized by high fibrous content, lignin levels, and low nutritive value. Animals consuming low-quality feed deplete their fat reserves to meet nutrient requirements, resulting in reduced fat storage, particularly during dry forage growth periods and extended underfeeding. Livestock's live weight and nutritional status significantly impact production efficiency metrics like feed conversion ratio (FCR) and average daily gain (ADG). Most dry forages and roughages in the region have crude protein (CP) content below 7%, making it challenging to meet microbial requirements without protein-rich supplementation. Feeding poor-quality forage alone cannot even fulfill maintenance requirements for livestock. Therefore, improving the feeding system for small ruminants becomes imperative, with a focus on supplementing grass with high-energy feeds. One promising approach to enhance the nutritive value of crop residues involves strategic supplementation with energy and protein-rich sources, promoting voluntary feed intake, digestibility, and utilization. This study underscores the importance of such supplementation strategies to address the pressing issue of low small ruminant productivity in Trinidad and Tobago.

JournalColumbia Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
ISSN3065-0380
Volume / IssueVol. 12, No. 1 (2024)
Pages1-11
Published23 January 2025
Access Open Access
LicenseCC BY 4.0 — reuse with attribution
PublisherKeith Publications
Rodriguez, A., Williams, S. (2025). U8 GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF WEANED LAMBS: THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT CONCENTRATE LEVELS IN THEIR DIET. Columbia Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Vol. 12 No. 1, pp. 1-11

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