@article{MAKHILLJAVA20121173313,
    title = {Energy and Nitrogen Provided by Native Herbage to Sheep Grazing in Alpine Grasslands of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau},
    journal = {Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances},
    volume = {11},
    number = {7},
    pages = {919-923},
    year = {2012},
    issn = {1680-5593},
    doi = {javaa.2012.919.923},
    url = {https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?issn=1680-5593&doi=javaa.2012.919.923},
    author = {Xiao,Zhang,Lu,Wang and},
    keywords = {Grazing,Qinghai-Tibetan plateau,Gansu Alpine Merino,energy,nitrogen utilization,China},
    abstract = {In Alpine pasturelands animals switch from higher land for summer and autumn grazing to lower land for winter and spring grazing. A grazing experiment using nine Gansu Alpine Merinos was carried out in Alpine grassland on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. Results for the quality of consumed herbage from the autumn pasture showed that the Digestible Energy (DE), Crude Protein (CP) content and CP:DE ratio were 9.15 MJ kg<SUP>-1</SUP>, 10.8 g/100 g and 11.8 g MJ<SUP>-1</SUP>, respectively and the CP level and the CP:DE ratio were optimal for nitrogen utilization. The dry matter intake changed significantly with seasons (p&lt;0.05). For sheep grazing on winter pasture, the actual metabolizable energy intake was lower than maintenance requirements with a negative nitrogen balance (p&lt;0.05), supplements should include both energy and protein feed. While grazing on spring pasture, sheep should be supplemented with energy feed expected to improve N utilization.}
    }