The impact on sheep performance of incorporating daffodil production within grazed upland permanent pasture

摘要

Daffodils (Narcissuspseudonarcissus) produce an alkaloid, galanthamine, which can be used as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Within Europe, daffodil-derived galanthamine is the only economically feasible plant source for cultivation. Feasibilitystudies have confirmed that integrating daffodils into existing marginal pasture in upland areas could provide an economical sustainable source for galanthamine whilst maintaining traditional farming practices in upland areas. The alkaloid produce by thedaffodils is toxic to animals if consumed. Research was, therefore, needed to assess if grazing livestock will naturally avoid consuming the daffodils and if there are any underlying secondary health risks associated with consumption. This study directly compared the liveweight gain of lambs grazing pasture with and without daffodils.