The application of forage densification technologies to feeding systems for small ruminant production in the Caribbean : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Science at Massey University, Palmerston North, Manawatū, New Zealand
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Date
2021
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Massey University
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Abstract
Determining the potential of densified forage as a prospective substitute to commercial feed in
small ruminant production systems in the Caribbean is critical. This may lead to the
development of more self-sufficient feeding systems which incorporate more locally available
ingredients and reduce the dependence on imported commercial feeds. There is currently a lack
of information on the use of, or effect of, densified forage on performance in regional small
ruminant production. Additionally, information is limited on the nutritive value of prospective
forages, to which these technologies can be applied. Therefore, the aims of the thesis were to
1) determine the nutritive value of a range of tropical forages in the Caribbean that are used in
regional small ruminant production systems; 2) determine the effect of densified diets
comprising different levels of forage on intake in growing lambs; and 3) determine the effect
of densified diets comprising forage on growth performance and digestibility in lambs. The
results of the thesis showed that there is a range of forages of varying nutritive value that can
be used to develop more sustainable feed systems for small ruminants in the Caribbean.
Further, the results of the thesis showed that when Trichanthera gigantea (an abundantly
available forage) was densified and fed to growing lambs, it resulted in similar intakes,
digestibility and growth performance in growing lambs to that of commercial concentrates.
The findings of the research can be used as a platform for future studies on the application of
densification technologies to feeding systems for small ruminants in the Caribbean.
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Keywords
Sheep, Goats, Feeding and feeds, Caribbean Area, Forage plants, Pelleted feed