The effect of rangeland quality on the mohair quality of Angora goats fed on the natural rangelands

Abstract

: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of the rangeland quality of Ankara goats fed on some natural rangeland in Ankara on the mohair quality. The research was carried out in 3 different quality natural rangelands in Ankara province. Crude protein, ether extract, Ca, Fe, N, energy contents and digestibility, in vitro gas production, and relative feed values of good quality rangeland plants were the highest compared to other rangelands, but the crude fiber, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber were the lowest (p ˂ 0.05). In the study were used a total of 120 animals (20 males, 20 females in each farm) from 3 farms where Angora goats are raised in the region of rangelands. The mohair quality was determined in mohair samples taken from 6 month old, 1.5, and 2.5-year-old animals. Rangeland quality significantly affected mohair lengths, fineness, elasticity, tenacity, and clean mohair yield, in males and females (p ˂ 0.05). The highest values were obtained from goats fed good quality rangeland (p ˂ 0.05). The effect of age on these features was also important. The mohair quality (length, elasticity, tenacity) increased with increasing age (p ˂ 0.05). The effect of the rangeland quality on the nozzle number was not significant, but the effect of age was significant. and, the nozzles number increased with increasing age. The nozzle depth was affected by the rangeland quality and age. The nozzle depth has increased due to the increase in rangeland quality and age. While the mohair Ca, Mg, S, Fe, and N content of male and female goats were higher in goats fed on good quality rangeland, these were lower in goats fed low-quality rangeland (p ˂ 0.05). While mohair Na content positively affected rangeland quality in females (p ˂ 0.01), was insignificant in males.