Growth rates of Priangon crossbred sheep and some effects of internal parasitism, in the lowlands of Papua New Guinea.

Abstract

Priangon wethers, herded and grazed at low stocking rates, on Para grass /'Brachiaria mutica (Porsk.) Stapf) pastures with a variety of legumes, in humid (1850 mm annual rainfall) and wet (4000mm annual rainfall) lowlands, grew at 0.45kg/week. Final live-weight of fat wethers was about 42kg with carcasses of 23kg. Under drier conditions, wethers set-stocked and grazing at high stocking rates on Buffet grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) with no legumes, grew more slowly and developed chronic hepatic intoxication possibly due to ingestion of dead grass contaminated with fungus. The response to drenching was small (p<0.05) and occurred mainly in smaller younger animals.