Utilisation by sheep of herbage under tree crops in Ghana

A study conducted into the utilisation by sheep of herbage under a mango/cashew plantation at Kade (Ghana) showed the native herb, Asystasia gangetica to be the most preferred herbage. Centrosema pubescens was preferred to Pueraria phaseoloides. The physical condition of the herbage affected their preference but the crude protein content did not have any influence. The mean daily digestible dry matter intake of yearling rams (g/kg W0.75) was 34, 31 and 39 for animals on Brachiaria lata/Pueraria phaseoloides, Pueraria phaseoloides and Centrosema pubescens/Aystasia gangetica stands respectively. Intake was not correlated with crude protein levels of the herbage. The mean carrying capacity of the associations was found to be between 11 and 18 sheep/ha/annum.