Abstract

"The objective of this experiment was to evaluate intake and live weight (LW) variations of young rams of one year of age average, fed with tagasaste (Chamaecytisus proliferus subsp. palmensis) and alfalfa. Young Suffolk Down rams with an initial LW of 38 kg were fed with increasing quantities of tagasaste soiling - 0, 30, 60 y 90% - as a replacement for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), hay which originated four treatments. The total intake of DM was 1,880; 1,745; 1,374; and 1,033 g DM animal-1 d-1 in the four treatments, respectively; the LW gains were lower as tagasaste was incorporated into the rations (354, 270, 120 and 134 g animal-1 d-1 in the whole experimental period). The animals fed with rations that included tagasaste increased its consumption as the experiment advanced, with the consequent increment in the daily LW gains in the treatments with 60 and 90% tagasaste."