The reproductive performance of South African indigenous goats grazing Leucaena leucocephala pasture and natural veld during gestation

The widely distributed South African indigenous goat (SAIG) is reared under extensive systems (Duvel & Afful, 1994) characterised by low production rates resulting from nutritional constraints. Leucaena species grow well in the absence of nitrogenous fertilizer and are rich in protein (14-30% CP) and minerals ( Nsahlai et al., 1994). Incorporation of Leucaena cultivation into these farming systems will not only improve soil fertility but alleviate nutritional constraints for ruminants. Substantial benefits were reported on intake, digestibility and growth of ruminants fed Leucaena ( Morris & du Toit, 1998) but there were no reports on the forage carry-over effects.