PATTERNS OF INGESTIVE BEHAVIOR OF SHEEP CONTINUOUSLY STOCKED ON MONOCULTURES OF RYEGRASS OR WHITE CLOVER

The ingestive behaviour of non-lactating ewes (Ovis aries L.) continuously stocked on monocultures of white clover (Trifolium repens L. cv. 'Huia') or perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. cv. 'S23') maintained at a sward height of 6 cm was recorded. Animals on the clover sward spent significantly less time grazing and ruminating and longer idling than those on grass. Prehension biting rate, masticating rate and ruminating rate were not significantly different between treatments. Bite weight and intake rate were significantly higher on the clover sward but total intake was similar on both treatments. Animals grazing clover ate more, shorter, meals than those grazing grass but the intermeal interval was similar. There was a distinct pattern of grazing over the day on both swards with 70-99% of grazing occurring during daylight hours and 25-48% during the 4 h prior to sunset. Bite weight was positively related to animal liveweight but not to dental arcade width.