Carrying capacity of sheep and goat in different agroforestry model

A total of five acres of land was subjected to four treatments, viz., Cenchrus ciliaris 3 rows + Stylosanthes hamata 1 row (T₁-control), control supplemented with either Leucaena leucocephala (T₂) or Erythrina indica (T₃) or Gliricidia sepium (T₄) tree. The yield of grass was worked out at 6 months interval while the yield of tree fodder was recorded after 12, 21 and 30 months after planting. The DCP and TDN values of these fodders were estimated by conducting digestibility trials in 4 adult Tellicherry goals and 4 adult Mecheri sheep. Based on the nutrient yield and nutrient requirement of adult goats or sheep, the carrying capacity per year was worked out. The results revealed that in all the three years, carrying capacity was restricted by the dry matter yield rather than the DCP or TDN yield.