Method for improving production performance of grazing Tan sheep by using ground-source feed
By combining local feed and optimizing grazing parameters, the replicability and resource utilization efficiency of supplementary feeding technology for grazing Tan sheep were solved, achieving synergy between improving the production performance of grazing Tan sheep and grassland ecological security, and forming a sustainable grazing management technical standard.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202610317633.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-03-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-01
AI Technical Summary
Existing supplementary feeding techniques for grazing sheep fail to systematically integrate grazing intensity, grazing period, daily grazing duration, and grassland selection criteria, resulting in poor replicability of the technical solutions. Existing supplementary feeding methods often utilize conventional concentrates in areas where advantageous resources are not being utilized, increasing breeding costs and reducing resource utilization efficiency. Existing technologies neglect grassland ecological responses, making it difficult to assess whether grazing intensity exceeds grassland carrying capacity.
Using localized feed (corn kernels and Caragana korshinskii pellets) combined with grazing parameter optimization and grass-livestock synergy monitoring, grasslands with community vegetation cover ≥60% and plant net primary productivity ≥100g/m2 were selected. The grazing intensity was 2 sheep units/hectare, the grazing period was from July 15 to September 15, and the daily grazing time was from 14:00 to 20:00. Continuous grazing and supplementary feeding experiments were set up, and the grassland ecological response was monitored simultaneously.
It has improved the production performance of grazing Tan sheep, reduced dependence on external concentrates, increased the efficiency of regional resource utilization, ensured grassland ecological security, and formed a replicable technical solution.
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Figure CN121942631A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Methods to improve the production performance of grazing Tan sheep using local feed Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the technical field of improving the productivity of grazing Tan sheep and the rational utilization of natural grasslands, and in particular to a method for improving the production performance of grazing Tan sheep by utilizing local feed. Background Technology
[0002] Ovis aries are a unique animal genetic resource of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Through natural selection and artificial breeding, they have become highly adapted to the temperate desert grassland ecosystem of eastern Ningxia and are an important pillar industry of the region's animal husbandry. In recent years, with the implementation of grassland ecological protection policies, Ovis aries farming has gradually shifted from grazing to stall feeding, leading to a significant increase in feed costs and a marked decline in farming efficiency. Grazing, as the most economical farming method, can provide Ovis aries with natural pasture resources, but increased grazing intensity leads to a reduction in edible pasture, resulting in decreased feed intake, prolonged grazing time, and altered wandering and rumination times, thus affecting production performance.
[0003] Supplementary feeding, as an important supplement to grazing management, can provide grazing animals with a stable food source, reduce foraging consumption, and help maintain and improve production performance. However, current supplementary feeding techniques for grazing sheep still have the following problems: First, existing research mostly focuses on the investigation of single grazing factors (such as grazing intensity or grazing time), failing to systematically integrate and quantify grazing intensity, grazing period, daily grazing duration, and grassland selection criteria, resulting in poor replicability of technical solutions and difficulty in promotion and application; Second, existing supplementary feeding mostly uses conventional concentrates, failing to fully utilize regional advantageous agricultural resources and shrub and grass resources, which increases breeding costs and reduces the efficiency of on-site conversion and utilization of regional resources; Third, existing technologies mostly focus on improving livestock production performance, neglecting the synchronous monitoring of grassland ecosystem responses, making it difficult to assess the impact of grazing supplementary feeding measures on grassland sustainability, and unable to scientifically determine whether grazing intensity exceeds grassland carrying capacity. Summary of the Invention
[0004] This application aims to address at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this application proposes a method for improving the production performance of grazing Tan sheep by utilizing local feed, combining the utilization of local feed, optimization of grazing parameters, and monitoring of grass-livestock synergy, which can ensure grassland ecological security while improving the production performance of grazing Tan sheep.
[0005] This application provides a method for improving the production performance of grazing Tan sheep using locally sourced feed, comprising: step S1, selection of locally sourced feed: selecting corn kernels and Caragana korshinskii pellets as locally sourced feed for supplementary feeding of Tan sheep; step S2, determination of grazing parameters: in the temperate desert steppe of eastern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, selecting communities with vegetation cover ≥60% and net primary productivity of plants ≥100g / m². 2 Grasslands with *Stipa shortflowera* or *Phyllostachys edulis* as dominant species were used as grazing grasslands. The grazing intensity was 2 sheep units / hectare, the grazing period was from July 15 to September 15 each year, and the daily grazing time was from 14:00 to 20:00. Step S3, Grazing-supplemented feeding experiment: A treatment group with continuous grazing, a treatment group with continuous grazing supplemented with corn kernels, and a treatment group with continuous grazing supplemented with *Caragana korshinskii* kernels were set up, and the dynamic data of body weight gain, grazing behavior, and body size of the sheep in each treatment group were measured. Step S4, Grassland ecological monitoring: The aboveground net primary productivity and species richness of grassland plants in each treatment group were monitored using the quadrat method to determine whether the aboveground net primary productivity of plants in each treatment group was lower than the desert grassland degradation warning threshold.
[0006] According to some embodiments of this application, in step S1, the corn kernels have a crude fiber content of 6%, a protein content of 10.7%, and a fat content of 4.3%, while the Caragana korshinskii kernels have a crude fiber content of 27%, a protein content of 13.9%, and a fat content of 3.3%.
[0007] According to some embodiments of this application, in step S3, the supplementary feeding method for the treatment group that is continuously grazing and supplemented with corn kernels and the treatment group that is continuously grazing and supplemented with Caragana korshinskii kernels is as follows: supplementary feeding once at 8:00 and 20:00 every day, with each Tan sheep receiving 0.25 kg of supplementary feed per feeding and a total daily supplementary feed amount of 0.5 kg.
[0008] According to some embodiments of this application, in step S3, the measurement time for the dynamic weight gain data is from July 10th to September 10th each year, measured once every 7 days, for a total of 9 consecutive measurements.
[0009] According to some embodiments of this application, in step S3, the grazing behavior data is measured in late August each year, and the grazing behavior data includes the grazing time, wandering time, rumination time, and resting time of Tan sheep.
[0010] According to some embodiments of this application, in step S3, the feeding time of the Tan sheep in the treatment group that was continuously grazed and supplemented with corn kernels and the treatment group that was continuously grazed and supplemented with Caragana korshinskii kernels was shorter than that in the treatment group that was continuously grazed. The resting time and rumination time of the Tan sheep in the treatment group that was continuously grazed and supplemented with corn kernels and the treatment group that was continuously grazed and supplemented with Caragana korshinskii kernels were longer than those in the treatment group that was continuously grazed.
[0011] According to some embodiments of this application, in step S3, the measurement time of the body size index data is September 10th of each year, and the body size index data includes tube circumference, body height, body length, chest circumference, chest width, chest depth, tail length, and tail width.
[0012] According to some embodiments of this application, in step S3, the circumference, height, body length, chest circumference, chest width, chest depth, tail length, and tail width of the sheep in the treatment group that was continuously grazed and supplemented with corn kernels and the treatment group that was continuously grazed and supplemented with Caragana korshinskii kernels are all greater than those of the treatment group that was continuously grazed.
[0013] According to some embodiments of this application, in step S3, the weight gain rate of the Tan sheep in the treatment group that was continuously grazed and supplemented with corn kernels and the treatment group that was continuously grazed and supplemented with Caragana korshinskii kernels was faster than that of the treatment group that was continuously grazed, and the net weight gain of the Tan sheep in the treatment group that was continuously grazed and supplemented with corn kernels was 6 kg.
[0014] According to some embodiments of this application, in step S4, the desert steppe degradation warning threshold is 30 g / m². 2 .
[0015] The beneficial effects of this application are reflected in the following aspects: By systematically integrating and quantifying four parameters—grazing intensity, grazing period, daily grazing duration, and grassland selection criteria—a complete set of grazing management technical specifications has been formed. These parameters are interconnected and synergistic, jointly constituting a replicable and scalable technical solution, thus solving the problem of fragmented grazing parameters and difficulty in widespread application in existing technologies. Furthermore, by simultaneously incorporating the dominant crop resources in agricultural areas (maize) and the dominant shrub and grass resources in pastoral areas (Caragana korshinskii) into the supplementary feed system, the coupled utilization of agricultural and pastoral resources has been achieved. This feed selection strategy based on regional resource endowment reduces costs and increases efficiency. This approach reduces reliance on external concentrated feed and improves the efficiency of on-site conversion and utilization of regional resources, solving the problem of feed selection being disconnected from regional resources in existing technologies. By simultaneously monitoring livestock production performance and grassland ecological response, a two-way feedback monitoring mechanism between livestock and grassland is constructed. On the one hand, livestock monitoring assesses the effect of supplementary feeding measures on the production performance of Tan sheep; on the other hand, grassland monitoring verifies whether grazing intensity exceeds the grassland carrying capacity. This grass-livestock co-monitoring mechanism effectively solves the problem of existing technologies focusing only on livestock production while neglecting grassland ecology, providing a scientific basis for the sustainable application of grazing supplementary feeding technology. This application, through this method, combines the utilization of locally sourced feed, optimization of grazing parameters, and grass-livestock co-monitoring, enabling the improvement of grazing Tan sheep production performance while ensuring grassland ecological security.
[0016] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description
[0017] The additional aspects and advantages of this application will become apparent and readily understood in conjunction with the following description of the embodiments, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic flowchart of the method for improving the production performance of grazing Tan sheep using locally sourced feed provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the dynamic effects of different grazing supplementary feeding treatments on the body weight gain of Tan sheep provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the effects of different grazing supplementary feeding treatments on the net weight gain of Tan sheep provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the effects of different grazing supplementary feeding treatments on the grazing behavior of Tan sheep provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the effects of different grazing supplementary feeding treatments on the body size indicators of Tan sheep provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the effects of different grazing supplementary feeding treatments on the aboveground net primary productivity and species richness of desert steppe plants provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation
[0018] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.
[0019] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.
[0020] In the description of this application, the use of "first" and "second" is for the purpose of distinguishing technical features only, and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated or the order of the technical features indicated.
[0021] In the description of this application, unless otherwise expressly defined, terms such as "setup," "installation," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this application in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.
[0022] Ovis aries are a unique animal genetic resource of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Through natural selection and artificial breeding, they have become highly adapted to the temperate desert grassland ecosystem of eastern Ningxia and are an important pillar industry of the region's animal husbandry. In recent years, with the implementation of grassland ecological protection policies, Ovis aries farming has gradually shifted from grazing to stall feeding, leading to a significant increase in feed costs and a marked decline in farming efficiency. Grazing, as the most economical farming method, can provide Ovis aries with natural pasture resources, but increased grazing intensity leads to a reduction in edible pasture, resulting in decreased feed intake, prolonged grazing time, and altered wandering and rumination times, thus affecting production performance.
[0023] Supplementary feeding, as an important supplement to grazing management, can provide grazing animals with a stable food source, reduce foraging consumption, and help maintain and improve production performance. However, current supplementary feeding techniques for grazing sheep still have the following problems: First, existing research mostly focuses on the investigation of single grazing factors (such as grazing intensity or grazing time), failing to systematically integrate and quantify grazing intensity, grazing period, daily grazing duration, and grassland selection criteria, resulting in poor replicability of technical solutions and difficulty in promotion and application; Second, existing supplementary feeding mostly uses conventional concentrates, failing to fully utilize regional advantageous agricultural resources and shrub and grass resources, which increases breeding costs and reduces the efficiency of on-site conversion and utilization of regional resources; Third, existing technologies mostly focus on improving livestock production performance, neglecting the synchronous monitoring of grassland ecosystem responses, making it difficult to assess the impact of grazing supplementary feeding measures on grassland sustainability, and unable to scientifically determine whether grazing intensity exceeds grassland carrying capacity.
[0024] To address the aforementioned problems, this application proposes a method for improving the production performance of grazing sheep using locally sourced feed. The embodiments of this application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0025] Referring to Figure 1, this application provides a method for improving the production performance of grazing Tan sheep using local feed. The method includes the following steps: Step S1, selection of local feed: selecting corn kernels and Caragana korshinskii pellets as local feed for supplementary feeding of Tan sheep.
[0026] In this step, based on the resource advantages of the eastern region of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, corn kernels, a major crop in the local agricultural area, are selected as local feed for the agricultural area. At the same time, Caragana korshinskii pellets, a dominant shrub and grass plant in the local pastoral area, are selected as local feed for the pastoral area. Together, they constitute local feed for supplementary feeding of Tan sheep.
[0027] In one possible implementation, in step S1, the corn kernels have a crude fiber content of 6%, a protein content of 10.7%, and a fat content of 4.3%, while the Caragana korshinskii kernels have a crude fiber content of 27%, a protein content of 13.9%, and a fat content of 3.3%.
[0028] It should be noted that the corn kernels are locally harvested and naturally air-dried corn kernels, and their nutritional composition on a dry matter basis is: 6% crude fiber, 10.7% protein, and 4.3% fat. The Caragana korshinskii pellets are pelleted feed made from the tender branches and leaves of Caragana korshinskii through crushing and pelleting, and their nutritional composition on a dry matter basis is: 27% crude fiber, 13.9% protein, and 3.3% fat.
[0029] Step S2, Grazing Parameter Determination: In the temperate desert steppe of eastern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, select communities with vegetation cover ≥60% and net primary productivity of plants ≥100g / m². 2 Grasslands with short-flowered needlegrass or sand reed as the dominant species are used as grazing grasslands.
[0030] In this step, the grazing intensity is 2 sheep units / hectare, the grazing period is from July 15 to September 15 each year, and the grazing time is from 14:00 to 20:00 each day.
[0031] In this step, in the temperate desert steppe region of eastern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, select communities with vegetation cover of not less than 60% and net primary productivity of plants of not less than 100 g / m². 2 Healthy grasslands with short-flowered needlegrass or sand grass as the dominant plant species are used as grazing grasslands; the grazing intensity is set at 2 sheep units / hectare, the grazing period is from July 15 to September 15 each year, and the daily grazing time is from 14:00 to 20:00. This grazing period matches the local climate characteristics where rainfall from June to October accounts for 80% of the annual rainfall, so as to make full use of grassland resources during the peak growth period of pasture.
[0032] Step S3, Grazing and Supplementation Experiment: Set up a treatment group for continuous grazing, a treatment group for continuous grazing supplemented with corn kernels, and a treatment group for continuous grazing supplemented with Caragana korshinskii kernels. The dynamic data of body weight gain, grazing behavior data, and body size index data of Tan sheep in each treatment group were measured.
[0033] In this step, three treatment groups were set up: one group that grazed continuously without supplemental feeding, another group that grazed continuously and was supplemented with corn kernels, and a third group that grazed continuously and was supplemented with Caragana korshinskii kernels. The dynamic data of body weight gain, grazing behavior, and body size indicators of the Tan sheep in each treatment group were measured. The grazing behavior data included Tan sheep feeding time, Tan sheep wandering time, Tan sheep rumination time, and Tan sheep resting time. The body size indicators included cannon circumference, body height, body length, chest circumference, chest width, chest depth, tail length, and tail width.
[0034] In one possible implementation, in step S3, the supplementary feeding method for both the treatment group that continuously grazed and was supplemented with corn kernels and the treatment group that continuously grazed and was supplemented with Caragana korshinskii kernels is as follows: supplementary feeding once at 8:00 and 20:00 every day, with each Tan sheep receiving 0.25 kg of supplementary feed per feeding and a total daily supplementary feed amount of 0.5 kg.
[0035] It should be noted that during the entire grazing period, from July 15th to September 15th each year, supplementary feeding is provided twice daily, once at 8:00 AM before grazing begins and again at 8:00 PM after grazing ends. The feed is placed in a special feeding trough inside the pen for the Tan sheep to eat freely. Each Tan sheep receives 0.25 kg of supplementary feed per feeding, and the total daily supplementary feed is 0.5 kg.
[0036] In one possible implementation, in step S3, the dynamic data on body weight gain is measured from July 10 to September 10 each year, once every 7 days, for a total of 9 consecutive measurements.
[0037] It should be noted that the dynamic data on body weight gain were measured from July 10 to September 10 each year, covering 5 days before the start of grazing to 5 days before the end of grazing; the measurement frequency was once every 7 days, for a total of 9 consecutive measurements; the measurement method was to weigh each sheep in each treatment group on an empty stomach every morning and record the weight data to obtain the dynamic curve of weight change and weight gain rate of each treatment group during the grazing and supplementary feeding period.
[0038] In one possible implementation, in step S3, the grazing behavior data is measured in late August each year, and the grazing behavior data includes the grazing time, wandering time, rumination time, and resting time of Tan sheep.
[0039] It should be noted that the grazing behavior data were measured in late August each year, with three consecutive grazing days selected as observation days. During the grazing period on each observation day, from 14:00 to 20:00, the behavioral status of the Tan sheep in each treatment group was recorded every 10 minutes using the instantaneous scanning method, or the behavior of the Tan sheep in each treatment group was recorded throughout the entire period using the continuous observation method. The grazing behavior data included the Tan sheep's feeding time, walking time, rumination time, and resting time, with the recording accuracy of each behavior time being in minutes. Through the measurement of behavioral data, the effects of different supplementary feeding treatments on the grazing behavior of Tan sheep and their correlation with energy consumption and production performance were analyzed.
[0040] In one possible implementation, in step S3, the feeding time of the Tan sheep in the treatment groups that were continuously grazed and supplemented with corn kernels and the treatment groups that were continuously grazed and supplemented with Caragana korshinskii kernels was shorter than that in the treatment group that was continuously grazed. The resting time and rumination time of the Tan sheep in the treatment groups that were continuously grazed and supplemented with corn kernels and the treatment groups that were continuously grazed and supplemented with Caragana korshinskii kernels were longer than those in the treatment group that was continuously grazed.
[0041] It should be noted that, through the measurement and statistical analysis of behavioral data, it was found that the feeding time of the Tan sheep in the continuous grazing and supplemented corn kernel treatment group and the continuous grazing and supplemented Caragana korshinskii kernel treatment group was shorter than that in the continuous grazing treatment group. Moreover, the resting time and rumination time of the Tan sheep in both supplemented feeding treatment groups were longer than those in the continuous grazing treatment group. The reduction in feeding time and the increase in resting time and rumination time indicate that the supplemented feeding treatment reduced the foraging consumption of Tan sheep during grazing, increased rest and digestion time, and thus improved energy utilization efficiency.
[0042] In one possible implementation, in step S3, the body size index data is measured on September 10th of each year, and the body size index data includes cannon circumference, body height, body length, chest circumference, chest width, chest depth, tail length, and tail width.
[0043] It should be noted that the body size data were measured on September 10th each year, five days before the end of grazing. During the measurement, measuring tools such as measuring sticks, tape measures, and calipers were used, and each Tan sheep in each treatment group was measured according to the conventional method of livestock body size measurement. The data were recorded with an accuracy of 0.1 cm. The body size data included cannon circumference, body height, body length, chest circumference, chest width, chest depth, tail length, and tail width, which were used to evaluate the effects of different supplementary feeding treatments on the skeletal development and body structure of Tan sheep.
[0044] In one possible implementation, in step S3, the sheep in the treatment group that was continuously grazed and supplemented with corn kernels and the treatment group that was continuously grazed and supplemented with Caragana korshinskii kernels had larger canal girth, body height, body length, chest girth, chest width, chest depth, tail length and tail width than the treatment group that was continuously grazed.
[0045] It should be noted that, through the measurement and statistical analysis of body size data, it was found that the eight body size indicators of the Tan sheep in the treatment groups of continuous grazing and supplemented with corn kernels and the treatment groups of continuous grazing and supplemented with Caragana korshinskii kernels were all greater than those in the continuous grazing treatment group. The increase in the body size indicators shows that the supplementary feeding treatment promoted the skeletal development and body growth of Tan sheep and improved the overall body structure of Tan sheep.
[0046] In one possible implementation, in step S3, the weight gain rate of the Tan sheep in the treatment group that was continuously grazed and supplemented with corn kernels and the treatment group that was continuously grazed and supplemented with Caragana korshinskii kernels was faster than that of the treatment group that was continuously grazed, and the net weight gain of the Tan sheep in the treatment group that was continuously grazed and supplemented with corn kernels was 6 kg.
[0047] It should be noted that the analysis of the measured dynamic weight gain data showed that the weight gain rate of the Tan sheep in the continuous grazing and supplemented corn kernel treatment group and the continuous grazing and supplemented Caragana korshinskii kernel treatment group was faster than that in the continuous grazing treatment group. Among them, the average net weight gain of the Tan sheep in the continuous grazing and supplemented corn kernel treatment group reached 6 kg during the entire grazing and supplemented feeding period, which was significantly higher than that in the continuous grazing treatment group. This indicates that supplementing with corn kernels can effectively improve the production performance and economic benefits of grazing Tan sheep.
[0048] Step S4, grassland ecological monitoring: The aboveground net primary productivity and species richness of grassland plants in each treatment group were monitored using the quadrat method to determine whether the aboveground net primary productivity of plants in each treatment group was lower than the warning threshold for desert grassland degradation.
[0049] In this step, the quadrat method was used to monitor the aboveground net primary productivity and species richness of grassland plants in the grazing areas of each treatment group, and to determine that the aboveground net primary productivity of plants in each treatment group was lower than the desert steppe degradation warning threshold, so as to ensure that the grazing intensity was controlled within the grassland carrying capacity range.
[0050] In one possible implementation, in step S4, the desert steppe degradation warning threshold is 30 g / m³. 2 .
[0051] It should be noted that the warning threshold for desert steppe degradation is set at 30 g / m³. 2 This threshold was determined based on accepted standards for desert steppe ecosystem research; after obtaining the net primary productivity data of plants above ground for each treatment group through quadrat determination, it was compared with 30 g / m². 2 The warning thresholds were compared to determine that the net primary productivity of vegetation above ground in each grazing treatment group was below the threshold. The monitoring results showed that the grazing intensity and supplementary feeding measures adopted in this method did not lead to grassland degradation. The grazing intensity was controlled within the grassland carrying capacity range, achieving a synergistic effect between improving the production performance of Tan sheep and protecting the grassland ecology.
[0052] The beneficial effects of this application are reflected in the following aspects: By systematically integrating and quantifying four parameters—grazing intensity, grazing period, daily grazing duration, and grassland selection criteria—a complete set of grazing management technical specifications has been formed. These parameters are interconnected and synergistic, jointly constituting a replicable and scalable technical solution, thus solving the problem of fragmented grazing parameters and difficulty in widespread application in existing technologies. Furthermore, by simultaneously incorporating the dominant crop resources in agricultural areas (maize) and the dominant shrub and grass resources in pastoral areas (Caragana korshinskii) into the supplementary feed system, the coupled utilization of agricultural and pastoral resources has been achieved. This feed selection strategy based on regional resource endowment reduces costs and increases efficiency. This approach reduces reliance on external concentrated feed and improves the efficiency of on-site conversion and utilization of regional resources, solving the problem of feed selection being disconnected from regional resources in existing technologies. By simultaneously monitoring livestock production performance and grassland ecological response, a two-way feedback monitoring mechanism between livestock and grassland is constructed. On the one hand, livestock monitoring assesses the effect of supplementary feeding measures on the production performance of Tan sheep; on the other hand, grassland monitoring verifies whether grazing intensity exceeds the grassland carrying capacity. This grass-livestock co-monitoring mechanism effectively solves the problem of existing technologies focusing only on livestock production while neglecting grassland ecology, providing a scientific basis for the sustainable application of grazing supplementary feeding technology. This application, through this method, combines the utilization of locally sourced feed, optimization of grazing parameters, and grass-livestock co-monitoring, enabling the improvement of grazing Tan sheep production performance while ensuring grassland ecological security.
[0053] Example 1, Selection of Locally Sourced Feed: 1. Selection of Locally Sourced Feed in Agricultural Areas: Based on the resource advantages of the eastern region of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the planting area and yield of major crops in the region were investigated by consulting statistical yearbooks to determine the dominant crops and their feed value. The investigation results showed that maize (Zea mays) is the major crop with the largest planting area and highest yield in the region. Nutritional analysis of locally harvested and naturally air-dried maize kernels showed that, on a dry matter basis, the crude fiber content was 6%, the protein content was 10.7%, and the fat content was 4.3%. Based on the regional resource advantages of maize and its nutritional composition, maize kernels were selected as the locally sourced feed for supplementary grazing of Tan sheep.
[0054] 2. Selection of Locally Sourced Feed in Pastoral Areas: A survey of statistical yearbooks revealed the distribution of shrub and grass resources in the eastern pastoral areas of Ningxia. The survey showed approximately 1 million mu (667,000 hectares) of shrubland with *Caragana korshinskii* as the dominant plant, indicating abundant *Caragana korshinskii* resources. Nutritional analysis of *Caragana korshinskii* pellets, made from crushed and granulated tender branches and leaves, showed a crude fiber content of 27%, a protein content of 13.9%, and a fat content of 3.3% on a dry matter basis. Based on the regional resource advantages and nutritional composition of *Caragana korshinskii*, *Caragana korshinskii* pellets were selected as a locally sourced feed for supplementary grazing of Tan sheep.
[0055] Example 2: This example was conducted in 2024 in Sidunzi Village, Huamachi Town, Yanchi County, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (N36°17′32″, E107°28′22″, altitude 1734m). This area is located in the transition zone between arid and semi-arid climates and has a typical continental monsoon climate. The average annual temperature is 7.75℃, the average annual precipitation is 289.5mm, and 65% of the precipitation is concentrated from June to September (consistent with the climate characteristics of eastern Ningxia, where 80% of the annual precipitation is from June to October). The average annual evaporation is 2132.5mm, the average annual frost-free period is 165 days, and the zonal vegetation type is temperate desert steppe. The dominant plants include Stipa breviflora, Agropyron mongolicum, and Cleistogenes squarrosa.
[0056] In the temperate desert-steppe region of eastern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, select communities with vegetation cover of no less than 60% and net primary productivity of plants of no less than 100 g / m². 2Healthy grasslands with *Stipa shortfloweredii* or *Phyllostachys edulis* as the dominant plant species were selected as grazing grounds. The grazing intensity was set at 2 sheep units per hectare, with the grazing period from July 15th to September 15th each year, and grazing time from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM daily (6 hours of grazing per day). This grazing period aligns with the local climate, where rainfall from June to October accounts for 80% of the annual total, to fully utilize grassland resources during the peak growing season.
[0057] Experimental animals and grouping: Nine healthy male Ningxia Tan sheep lambs, aged 5 months and with similar weights (approximately 20 kg), raised by local farmers, were selected as experimental animals. Three identical experimental plots, each 0.75 hectares in size, were divided within the experimental grassland. A single-factor randomized block design was used, with the following three treatment groups (the non-grazing group served only as an ecological monitoring control and did not participate in inter-group comparisons for grazing and supplemental feeding experiments): Continuous grazing treatment group: continuous grazing without supplemental feeding; Continuous grazing and supplemental feeding with corn kernels treatment group: continuous grazing and supplemental feeding with Caragana korshinskii kernels treatment group: continuous grazing and supplemental feeding with Caragana korshinskii kernels treatment group; The above three treatment groups were grazed in the three experimental plots, with three Tan sheep grazed in each plot.
[0058] Supplementary feeding method: The supplementary feeding method for the treatment groups that grazed continuously and were supplemented with corn kernels and the treatment groups that grazed continuously and were supplemented with Caragana korshinskii kernels was as follows: During the entire grazing period (July 15 to September 15 each year), supplementary feeding was carried out twice a day, at 8:00 before grazing begins and at 20:00 after grazing ends. The feed was placed in a special feeding trough in the pen for the Tan sheep to eat freely. The amount of supplementary feed per Tan sheep was 0.25 kg, and the total amount of supplementary feed per day was 0.5 kg.
[0059] Measurement of dynamic weight gain data: From July 10th to September 10th each year (covering 5 days before the start of grazing to 5 days before the end of grazing), the weight of Tan sheep was measured every 7 days for 9 consecutive times. The measurement method was to weigh each Tan sheep in each treatment group on an empty stomach every morning and record the weight data to obtain the dynamic curve of weight change and weight gain rate of Tan sheep in each treatment group during the grazing and supplementary feeding period.
[0060] Measurement of grazing behavior data: In late August each year (mid-grazing period), three consecutive grazing days were selected as observation days. During the grazing period (14:00 to 20:00) on each observation day, the behavioral status of Tan sheep in each treatment group was recorded every 10 minutes using the instantaneous scanning method, or the behavior of Tan sheep in each treatment group was recorded throughout the entire period using the continuous observation method. The recorded behavioral types included: Tan sheep feeding time, Tan sheep walking time, Tan sheep rumination time, and Tan sheep resting time. The recording accuracy for each behavioral time was in minutes. Through the measurement of behavioral data, the effects of different supplementary feeding treatments on the grazing behavior of Tan sheep and their correlation with energy consumption and production performance were analyzed.
[0061] Body size measurements were taken on September 10th each year (5 days before the end of grazing). Measuring tools such as measuring sticks, tape measures, and calipers were used to measure the body size of each sheep in each treatment group according to standard livestock measurement methods. The measured body size parameters included: cannon bone circumference, body height, body length, chest circumference, chest width, chest depth, tail length, and tail width. Data were recorded to an accuracy of 0.1 cm to assess the effects of different supplementary feeding treatments on the skeletal development and body structure of the sheep.
[0062] Grassland ecological monitoring: The quadrat method was used. After grazing, 1m×1m quadrats were randomly set up in the grazing areas of each treatment group, and 5 quadrats were measured repeatedly for each treatment group. The measured indicators included: net primary productivity of vegetation above ground (the aboveground parts of the vegetation in the quadrat were cut at ground level, dried and weighed) and species richness (the number of plant species appearing in the quadrat was recorded). The measured net primary productivity data of vegetation above ground was compared with the desert steppe degradation warning threshold (30g / m²). 2 By comparing the results, it was determined whether the net primary productivity of vegetation above ground in each grazing treatment group was below the threshold, in order to assess whether the grazing intensity was controlled within the grassland carrying capacity.
[0063] Experimental results: Figure 2 shows the dynamic changes in body weight of Tan sheep in different treatment groups during grazing and supplementary feeding. The results show that compared with the continuous grazing treatment group, the Tan sheep in the continuous grazing and supplementary feeding of corn kernels and the continuous grazing and supplementary feeding of Caragana korshinskii kernels treatment groups gained weight faster; under the condition of no supplementary feeding, the Tan sheep gained weight more slowly; under the condition of supplementary feeding, the Tan sheep gained weight faster than under the condition of no supplementary feeding.
[0064] Figure 3 shows the net weight gain of Tan sheep in different treatment groups. The results indicate that the Tan sheep in the continuous grazing and supplemental feeding of corn kernels treatment group had the highest net weight gain, with an average net weight gain of 6 kg throughout the grazing and supplemental feeding period; the treatment group in the continuous grazing and supplemental feeding of Caragana korshinskii kernels treatment group was the second highest; and the continuous grazing treatment group had the lowest net weight gain. Based on the analysis of the dynamic weight gain data, it was found that the Tan sheep in the continuous grazing and supplemental feeding of corn kernels treatment group and the continuous grazing and supplemental feeding of Caragana korshinskii kernels treatment group gained weight faster than the continuous grazing treatment group.
[0065] Figure 4 shows the behavioral time distribution of Tan sheep in different treatment groups during grazing. Through the measurement and statistical analysis of behavioral data, it was found that the feeding time of Tan sheep in the continuous grazing and supplemented corn kernel treatment group and the continuous grazing and supplemented Caragana korshinskii kernel treatment group was shorter than that of the continuous grazing treatment group. Moreover, the resting time and rumination time of Tan sheep in both supplemented feeding treatment groups were longer than those in the continuous grazing treatment group. The reduction in feeding time and the increase in resting time and rumination time indicate that the supplemented feeding treatment reduced the foraging consumption of Tan sheep during grazing and increased the rest and digestion time, thereby improving energy utilization efficiency.
[0066] Figure 5 shows the measurement results of body size indicators of Tan sheep in different treatment groups. Statistical analysis of the body size data revealed that the Tan sheep in the continuous grazing supplemented with corn kernels and the continuous grazing supplemented with Caragana korshinskii kernels treatment groups had significantly larger cannon circumference, body height, body length, chest circumference, chest width, chest depth, tail length, and tail width compared to the continuous grazing treatment group. The increase in these body size indicators suggests that supplementary feeding promoted skeletal development and body growth in Tan sheep, improving their overall body structure.
[0067] Figure 6 shows the monitoring results of aboveground net primary productivity and species richness of grassland plants in different treatment groups. The results indicate that compared with the non-grazing group, the aboveground net primary productivity of plants in all grazing treatment groups (continuous grazing treatment group, continuous grazing treatment group supplemented with maize pellets treatment group, and continuous grazing treatment group supplemented with Caragana korshinskii pellets treatment group) was significantly reduced; however, compared with the continuous grazing treatment group, there were no significant differences in aboveground net primary productivity and species richness between the two supplementary feeding treatment groups; the aboveground net primary productivity of plants in all grazing treatment groups was below the desert steppe degradation warning threshold (30 g / m²). 2 This indicates that the grazing intensity (2 sheep units / hectare) and supplementary feeding measures adopted in this method did not lead to grassland degradation, and the grazing intensity was controlled within the grassland carrying capacity range, thus achieving synergy between improving the production performance of Tan sheep and protecting the grassland ecology.
[0068] In Figures 2 to 6, No grazing, Grazing, Grazing+Fodder1, and Grazing+Fodder2 represent the no-grazing group, the continuous grazing treatment group, the continuous grazing treatment group supplemented with corn kernels, and the continuous grazing treatment group supplemented with Caragana korshinskii kernels, respectively.
[0069] Based on the above experimental results, in the temperate desert steppe region of eastern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the method described in this application can effectively improve the production performance of grazing Tan sheep (accelerated weight gain, increased net weight gain, and improved body size indicators), while ensuring grassland ecological security (net primary productivity of vegetation above ground is below the degradation warning threshold). Corn kernels and Caragana korshinskii pellets, as locally sourced feeds, can be used to improve the growth performance of grazing Tan sheep and have good potential for widespread application.
[0070] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.
[0071] The above description is the preferred embodiment of this application. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of this application, and these improvements and modifications are also considered to be within the scope of protection of this application.
[0072] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this application, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A method for improving the production performance of grazing sheep using locally sourced feed, characterized in that, include: Step S1, Selection of local feed: Select corn kernels and Caragana korshinskii pellets as local feed for supplementary feeding of Tan sheep; Step S2, Grazing Parameter Determination: In the temperate desert steppe of eastern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, select communities with vegetation cover ≥60% and net primary productivity of plants ≥100g / m². 2 Grasslands with *Stipa shortflowera* or *Phyllostachys edulis* as dominant species were used as grazing grasslands. The grazing intensity was 2 sheep units / hectare, the grazing period was from July 15 to September 15 each year, and the daily grazing time was from 14:00 to 20:
00. Step S3, Grazing-supplemented feeding experiment: A treatment group with continuous grazing, a treatment group with continuous grazing supplemented with corn kernels, and a treatment group with continuous grazing supplemented with *Caragana korshinskii* kernels were set up, and the dynamic data of body weight gain, grazing behavior, and body size of the sheep in each treatment group were measured. Step S4, Grassland ecological monitoring: The aboveground net primary productivity and species richness of grassland plants in each treatment group were monitored using the quadrat method to determine whether the aboveground net primary productivity of plants in each treatment group was lower than the desert grassland degradation warning threshold.
2. The method for improving the production performance of grazing sheep using locally sourced feed according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S1, the corn kernels have a crude fiber content of 6%, a protein content of 10.7%, and a fat content of 4.3%, while the Caragana korshinskii kernels have a crude fiber content of 27%, a protein content of 13.9%, and a fat content of 3.3%.
3. The method for improving the production performance of grazing sheep using locally sourced feed according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S3, the supplementary feeding method for both the treatment group that continuously grazed and was supplemented with corn kernels and the treatment group that continuously grazed and was supplemented with Caragana korshinskii kernels is as follows: supplementary feeding once at 8:00 and 20:00 every day, with each Tan sheep receiving 0.25 kg of supplementary feed per feeding and a total daily supplementary feed amount of 0.5 kg.
4. The method for improving the production performance of grazing sheep using locally sourced feed according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S3, the dynamic data on body weight gain is measured from July 10 to September 10 each year, once every 7 days, for a total of 9 consecutive measurements.
5. The method for improving the production performance of grazing sheep using locally sourced feed according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S3, the grazing behavior data is measured in late August each year, and the grazing behavior data includes the grazing time, wandering time, rumination time, and resting time of Tan sheep.
6. The method for improving the production performance of grazing sheep using locally sourced feed according to claim 5, characterized in that, In step S3, the feeding time of the Tan sheep in the treatment groups that were continuously grazed and supplemented with corn kernels and the treatment groups that were continuously grazed and supplemented with Caragana korshinskii kernels was shorter than that in the treatment group that was continuously grazed. The resting time and rumination time of the Tan sheep in the treatment groups that were continuously grazed and supplemented with corn kernels and the treatment groups that were continuously grazed and supplemented with Caragana korshinskii kernels were longer than those in the treatment group that was continuously grazed.
7. The method for improving the production performance of grazing sheep using locally sourced feed according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S3, the measurement time for the body size index data is September 10th of each year. The body size index data includes cannon circumference, body height, body length, chest circumference, chest width, chest depth, tail length, and tail width.
8. The method for improving the production performance of grazing sheep using locally sourced feed according to claim 7, characterized in that, In step S3, the sheep in the treatment group that was continuously grazed and supplemented with corn kernels and the treatment group that was continuously grazed and supplemented with Caragana korshinskii kernels had larger canal girth, body height, body length, chest girth, chest width, chest depth, tail length and tail width than the treatment group that was continuously grazed.
9. The method for improving the production performance of grazing sheep using locally sourced feed according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S3, the weight gain rate of the sheep in the treatment group that was continuously grazed and supplemented with corn kernels and the treatment group that was continuously grazed and supplemented with Caragana korshinskii kernels was faster than that of the treatment group that was continuously grazed, and the net weight gain of the sheep in the treatment group that was continuously grazed and supplemented with corn kernels was 6 kg.
10. The method for improving the production performance of grazing sheep using locally sourced feed according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S4, the desert steppe degradation warning threshold is 30 g / m³. 2 .