Influence of the Feeding System and the Forage Nature on Sheep Dairy Production

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a feeding system based on the grazing of Sulla or Oat supplemented with concentrate feed containing Rapeseed or Faba bean on the ewes’ milk production. Sixty Sicilo-Sarde ewes from the experimental farm Lafereg (béja, North West of Tunisia) were divided into two groups based on the nature of fodder: 30 grazing Sulla (Hedysarum coronarium L.) and 30 grazing Oat (Avena sativa L.). In sheepfold, each group divided into two sub-group based on the nature of concentrate feed: 15 received a supplementation of concentrate feed containing Rapeseed (AC and SC groups) and 15 received a supplementation of concentrate feed containing Faba bean (AF and SF groups). The comparison of the feeding systems showed a numerical superiority in term of milk production in favor of the ewes grazing Sulla and receiving a supplementation of concentrate containing Faba bean (526; 497; 494 and 481 ml/day, respectively for SF, AF, AC and SC groups). The best combination (Sulla and Faba bean) ameliorated the milk fat content (6.1%), protein (6.2%) and lactose (5.3%). The cheese yield was around 29%. A diet based on grazing Sulla or Oat with addition of concentrate feed contain Rapeseed or Faba bean is recommended since it improves the quantitative and qualitative milk production.