USE OF RUSSIAN CAMOMILE (ANTHEMIS RUTHENICA) HAY IN NUTRITION OF LACTATING EWES

Abstract

Global climate changes lead to an increase in area of arid lands. For this reason, some xerophytic plants begin to rapidly expand their range, becoming invasive species. The Russian camomile (Anthemis ruthenica) is a typical example. This plant is poorly consumed by animals, so its expansion on pastures  has a negative effect on forage  resources. It is of particular  importance for sheep breeding, as sheep are often bred in arid regions. In the form of hay, especially when the plant was dried in a hot sunny day, Anthemis ruthenica is consumed by sheep to some extent. In this experiment, the introduction of Russian camomile hay (Anthemis ruthenica) in the diet for lactating ewes led to an increase in the  milk fat yield and a positive influence on body weight dynamics and the physiological state of ewes. Mowing the Anthemis ruthenica  into hay in the flowering time will help to constrain its invasive expansion, and on the other hand, it will give a new feed resource for sheep husbandry.