Models for estimating feed intake in small ruminants
This review deals with the most relevant limits and developments of the modeling of intake of sheep and goats reared intensively and extensively. Because small ruminants are normally fed ad libitum, voluntary feed intake is crucial in feeding tactics and strategies aimed at optimal animal production...
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Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia
2013-09-01
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doaj-a7fc7c6760e6428fae83a82060b6b3fa2020-11-25T00:19:06ZengSociedade Brasileira de ZootecniaRevista Brasileira de Zootecnia1806-92902013-09-0142967569010.1590/S1516-35982013000900010S1516-35982013000900010Models for estimating feed intake in small ruminantsGiuseppe Pulina0Marcella Avondo1Giovanni Molle2Ana Helena Dias Francesconi3Alberto Stanislao Atzori4Antonello Cannas5Università degli Studi di SassariUniversità degli Studi di CataniaUniversità degli Studi di SassariUniversità degli Studi di SassariUniversità degli Studi di SassariUniversità degli Studi di SassariThis review deals with the most relevant limits and developments of the modeling of intake of sheep and goats reared intensively and extensively. Because small ruminants are normally fed ad libitum, voluntary feed intake is crucial in feeding tactics and strategies aimed at optimal animal production. The effects of genetic, neuroendocrine, hormonal, feed and environmental factors on voluntary feed intake were discussed. Then, several mathematical models to estimate dry matter intake (DMI) were examined, with emphasis on empirical models for sheep and goats in intensive farm systems or in extensive areas under pasture or rangeland conditions. A sensitivity analysis of four models of prediction of DMI in housed lactating dairy sheep and meat sheep breeds was also presented. This work evidenced a large variability in the approaches used and in the variables considered for housed sheep and goats. Regarding the estimation of feed intake for grazing sheep and browsing goats, the accuracy of estimates based on empirical models developed so far is very low when applied out of the boundaries of the studied system. Feeding experiments indoors and outdoors remain fundamental for a better modeling and understanding of the interactions between feeds and small ruminants. However, there is a need for biological and theoretical frameworks in which these experiments should be carried out, so that appropriate empirical or mechanistic equations to predict DMI could be developed.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-35982013000900010&lng=en&tlng=endry matter intakefeedlotgoatsgrazingmodelingsheep |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Giuseppe Pulina Marcella Avondo Giovanni Molle Ana Helena Dias Francesconi Alberto Stanislao Atzori Antonello Cannas |
spellingShingle |
Giuseppe Pulina Marcella Avondo Giovanni Molle Ana Helena Dias Francesconi Alberto Stanislao Atzori Antonello Cannas Models for estimating feed intake in small ruminants Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia dry matter intake feedlot goats grazing modeling sheep |
author_facet |
Giuseppe Pulina Marcella Avondo Giovanni Molle Ana Helena Dias Francesconi Alberto Stanislao Atzori Antonello Cannas |
author_sort |
Giuseppe Pulina |
title |
Models for estimating feed intake in small ruminants |
title_short |
Models for estimating feed intake in small ruminants |
title_full |
Models for estimating feed intake in small ruminants |
title_fullStr |
Models for estimating feed intake in small ruminants |
title_full_unstemmed |
Models for estimating feed intake in small ruminants |
title_sort |
models for estimating feed intake in small ruminants |
publisher |
Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia |
series |
Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia |
issn |
1806-9290 |
publishDate |
2013-09-01 |
description |
This review deals with the most relevant limits and developments of the modeling of intake of sheep and goats reared intensively and extensively. Because small ruminants are normally fed ad libitum, voluntary feed intake is crucial in feeding tactics and strategies aimed at optimal animal production. The effects of genetic, neuroendocrine, hormonal, feed and environmental factors on voluntary feed intake were discussed. Then, several mathematical models to estimate dry matter intake (DMI) were examined, with emphasis on empirical models for sheep and goats in intensive farm systems or in extensive areas under pasture or rangeland conditions. A sensitivity analysis of four models of prediction of DMI in housed lactating dairy sheep and meat sheep breeds was also presented. This work evidenced a large variability in the approaches used and in the variables considered for housed sheep and goats. Regarding the estimation of feed intake for grazing sheep and browsing goats, the accuracy of estimates based on empirical models developed so far is very low when applied out of the boundaries of the studied system. Feeding experiments indoors and outdoors remain fundamental for a better modeling and understanding of the interactions between feeds and small ruminants. However, there is a need for biological and theoretical frameworks in which these experiments should be carried out, so that appropriate empirical or mechanistic equations to predict DMI could be developed. |
topic |
dry matter intake feedlot goats grazing modeling sheep |
url |
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-35982013000900010&lng=en&tlng=en |
work_keys_str_mv |
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