Immature safflower forage as a feed for ewes

K. Stanford, G.L. Wallins, B.M. Lees and H.-H. Mündel

 Abstract

An in situ study compared mature, frost-damaged safflower to full-bloom safflower and mid-bloom alfalfa-grass hay, with the full-bloom safflower and alfalfa-grass hay also used in a ewe (n=40) feeding study.  Feed refusals were higher (P < 0.05) for ewes fed the safflower, but feed conversion efficiency was improved (P < 0.05) for the safflower-fed sheep.  Ewes were bred shortly after the 9-wk feeding trial and the proportion of ewes lambing was higher (P < 0.05) in the safflower-fed ewes.  Sheep were able to utilize the safflower forage as thorough chewing of spines likely prevented mouth ulceration and the ewes selectively consumed the most nutrient-dense parts of the forage.

Key words: forage as feed, ewes, Carthamus tinctorius L.