PRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOR OF SHEEP FEEDED WITH FORAGE SOY (Glycine max)

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the productive behavior of Creole sheep in the tropics fed a comprehensive diet that includes forage soy (FS, Glycine max) at different phenological stages.

Methodology: The treatments T1: control, T2: 30% (SF-56 d), T3: 30% (SF-68 d), T4: 30% (SF-85 d), T5: 30% (SF-110 d) were randomized 30 male Creole sheep (15.51 ± 1.6 kg LW). The experiment lasted 56 d. The variables evaluated were: dry matter consumption (DMC), daily weight gain (DWG) and feed conversion (FC). The experimental design was completely randomized and the averages of the treatments were compared using the Tukey test.

Results: Differences (p<0.05) were found in DMC, GWG and FC. The DMC was lower (p<0.05) in the control group. The DWG was higher in the animals that consumed forage soybean compared to the control group (0.205 vs 0.121 kg d-1). The FC decreased (p <0.05) 51% in T3 (SF 68 d), with respect to the control group.

Limitations on study: The nutrient contribution of soy forage is based on the phenological stage of the plant. Likewise, the scarce knowledge of the producers of the tropic region to incorporate it in the feeding of small ruminants.

Conclusions: The inclusion of 30% of forage soybeans at 68 d of age in a comprehensive diet improves the productive performance of the lambs because it increases daily weight gain and decreases feed conversion.