Mineral Utilization in Sheep Fed Spring Forages of Different Species, Maturity and Nitrogen Fertility

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Abstract
Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) and Kenhy, a fescue-rye hybrid (Festuca arundinacea crossed with Secale cerale), at two levels of nitrogen fertilization [0 (nonfertilized) and 84 kg/ha (fertilized)] and two stages of maturity [April 23 (early) and June 5 (late) harvests] were fed to 16 wether lambs in two metabolism trials. Magnesium intakes (g/day) based on 1,000 g air dry feed consumption were: 1) orchardgrass 1.90 (early nonfertilized), 1.73 (early fertilized), 1.72 (late nonfertilized), 1.66 (late fertilized); 2) Kenhy 1.99 (early nonfertilized), 1.80 (early fertilized), 2.28 (late nonfertilized) and 2.22 (late fertilized). Magnesium retention was significantly less (P<.01) with early stages of maturity. Fertilization lowered magnesium intake, percentage apparent absorption (P<.01) and magnesium balance (P<.01). There was no significant difference in Mg balance due to forage species. Early stage of maturity of these two forages gave higher (P<.01) nitrogen and lower (P<.01) potassium retentions. There were no significant differences in potassium and nitrogen balances due to forage species or levels of fertilization. Sheep fed orchardgrass had a higher calcium retention than sheep fed Kenhy (P<.01). Chlorophyll content of the forages was measured, but less than 4% of plant magnesium was extracted with the chlorophyll. This binding was not considered an important factor in forage magnesium availability. Copyright © 1980. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1980 by American Society of Animal Science.

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