Xiao  Jinyu, Zhang  Changji, Lu  Yuexiang, Wang  Qin, An  Yufeng, 
    Energy and Nitrogen Provided by Native Herbage to Sheep Grazing in Alpine Grasslands of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau,
    Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances,
    Volume 11,Issue 7,
    2012,
    Pages 919-923,
    ISSN 1680-5593,
    javaa.2012.919.923,
    (https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=javaa.2012.919.923)
    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.
    Keywords: Grazing;Qinghai-Tibetan plateau;Gansu Alpine Merino;energy;nitrogen utilization;China