Investigation of Feed Value of Natural Pastures in Şanlıurfa Region and Fattening Performance of Awassi Lambs Grazing in Pastures

In this study, samples were collected from natural pastures in the districts of Haliliye and Eyyübiye, where pasture-based sheep breeding is practised in the Tek Tek Mountains region, at different times (1 March, 1 April, 1 May, 1 June, 2020). For the purpose of sampling, quadrats measuring 50 x 50 cm (equivalent to 0.25 m²) were positioned in four randomly selected areas at four different points in time. The grasses were manually harvested at ground level. The objective of this study was to ascertain the dry matter (DM), crude ash (CA), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent insoluble fibre (NDF) and acid detergent insoluble fibre (ADF) values in the pasture samples collected. In addition, during the study, the live weights of lambs from 30-31 lambs (Pasture1 F/M:18/12; Pasture2 F/M:15/15 Pasture3 F/M:15/15 Pasture4 F/M:15/16) reared in these areas and born during the same period were recorded at the start and end of the grazing period. The data obtained from the research were subjected to analysis according to the Least Squares method. The Duncan multiple comparison test was employed to ascertain the existence of any significant differences between the groups. The results of the analysis of the raw nutrient contents of four different pasture regions in March, April, May and June were presented. Accordingly, the levels of DM, CA, CP, CF, NDF and ADF were determined to be between 24.3 and 43.3, 7.64 and 10.48, 7.72 and 14.85, 2.28 and 2.64, 33.34 and 60.88, and 28.66 and 41.97, respectively. While the average DM, NDF and ADF levels increased over the periods, the CP level decreased. The greatest increase in live weight was observed in male lambs in pasture 3 herd. The highest live weight gain in female lambs was detected in the herd in pasture4. It can be posited that the aforementioned values pertaining to live weight gain in pasture-based feeding will enable breeders to augment their production through supplementary feeding.