Ewe must be joking! Brazilian sheep are wearing NAPPIES so scientists can weigh their faeces and work out the best amount of grass to feed them for maximum milk production
- Study conducted by the Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Company
- They want to find a formula which maximises the net revenue from agriculture
- Nappies measure weight of the animal’s faeces, which indicated grass intake
Brazilian scientists have dressed sheep in nappies to help boost farming profits.
The team of researchers, from the Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Company, in southern Brazil, are hoping to identify the ideal grass length for maximum milk production.
To measure the relationship between blade size, consumption and output, analysts have fitted the livestock with microphones to ensure they’re swallowing their feed.
Then, the nappies will measure the weight of the animal’s faeces and urine, which will provide a measure of how much grass has been ingested during the test periods.
Ultimately, they hope this information will provide a reliable formula for improving the farming industry’s earnings.
Weird science: Sheep fitted with microphones and weighing nappies are seen grazing on giant missionary grass in southern Brazil as researchers observe them
Similar tests have been previously undertaken with cattle, but researchers created this new study because of the grass used in the region – giant missionary – has rigorous growth throughout the year.
The tests are being done throughout the month in fields bearing this hybrid grass (Axonopus Catharinensis), which is particularly palatable to grazing herds.
The sheep are rotated across areas of different grass length; short, medium and long. The shortest is 25cm, while the longest is 35cm.
The study is expected to be completed in October, with the results published shortly after.
Ideal: The team of researchers, from the Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Company, in southern Brazil, are hoping to identify the ideal grass length for livestock to feed on
Specific: Similar tests have been previously undertaken with cattle, but researchers created this new study because they want it to relate specifically to the grass in their region
According to researcher Fábio Garagorry, who’s co-leading the study, pasture management is one of the factors that defines the animal’s weight gain and milk production per day.
‘The intention is to tell breeders the best height that the grass should be as part of the management of their livestock, he said.
‘Knowing this will help them increase the weight gain of the animal, the kilogram of live weight per hectare and the daily production of milk.
‘Optimising the height of the grass can increase the animal’s efficiency and productivity by up to 30 percent more in the same pasture.’
Profitable? The results will be published next month, but researchers believe these solutions will help to improve the performance and competitive edge of Brazil’s agribusiness
They were also rotated between areas with different grass length; short, medium and long
