Urea Supplementation Increases Nitrogen Retention in Sheep Fed with Leucaenapallida (Kx2) Foliage

Leucaena pallida (Kx2) is a good source of protein for sheep if its condensed tannin is only minimal. Alternative source of N could then- be given. This study determined the response of sheep to urea supplementation in terms of N balance, N digestibility and dry matter (DM) digestibility. Fifteen Merino wethers (ave. weight - 32.5 kg) were randomly distributed to 5 treatments. They were fed with Leucaena pallida foliage (750 g DM per day) and approximately 240 g of different urea concentrations in molasses as carrier (0, 6.1, 19.8, 28.0, and 45.9 g of urea/d). N and DM contents of L. pallida, urea in molasses mixture, urine, and feces were determined. Regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between N intake from urea in molasses, N digestibility, and DM digestibility. N retention and digestibility were improved and significantly related to N intake from urea with r² values equivalent to 0.816 and