Biomass Yield and Growth Rate of Lambs Provided Complementary Grazing in Amla - Stylosanthes Hamata Hortipasture

The Amia-Stylosanthes hamata hortipasture yielded 2.991 ton dry fodder, 272 kg DCP and 1483 kg TDN per hectare for sheep. Eight Madras Red ewe lambs were provided one hour additional complementary grazing in the Amia - Stylosanthes legume hortipasture for a total period of six months in two seasons viz., lush and lean, in addition to 6–7 hours continuous grazing in Heteropogon contortus dominated natural passure. The performance of lambs were compared with equal number of Iambs provided continuous 7- 8 hours grazing in the natural pasture without complementary grazing. Lambs provided one hour additional complementary grazing during lean season daily gained significantly (P<0.05) more body weight (56.57 Vs.44.78g) than the lambs in control group. One hectare of Amla-Stylosanthes hortipasture could provide complementary grazing to 48–50 lambs weighing 14–16 kg.