Plantain and chicory swards: an alternative in sheep production in southern Chile

Abstract

Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) and chicory (Cichorium intybus) are alternatives for ruminant feeds during seasons with low pasture growth. These forages can offer high dry matter production and nutritional quality when there is a water deficit, because they have drought tolerance. The main objective of my doctoral thesis’s research was to compare animal performance variables in a plantago and chicory mixture with a permanent grass-based sward in a sheep grazing system. Six plots were established of which three were composed of a plantain and chicory mixture (PCH) and another three of temperate grass sward (GBS). The study was conducted over three years, where mainly, the production and composition of milk in sheep, weaned lambs’ performance, carcass and lamb meat quality were evaluated. Milk production was similar between sward types (P > 0.05), however, milk composition in the GBS was higher in fat and urea content, while protein was higher in the PCH (P < 0.05). No differences were found in average live weight gain of the lambs in the three years of study (P > 0.05), and in the last year of the study, PCH had higher live weight gain per hectare than GBS. There was no effect of sward type grazed on the carcass quality and physicochemical characteristics of lamb meat. However, in nutritional quality of lamb meat fatty acids of the PCH group showed a greater amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids and omega 3 than the GBS meat (P < 0.05). The use of swards composed of plantain and chicory, can be an alternative for sheep grazing systems, improving lamb meat nutritional value with a healthier fatty acid content.