Botanical composition and diet quality of goats grazing natural and grass reseeded shrublands (original) (raw)
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Animal Feed Science and Technology, 1999
Nutritional stress during the dry summer period is considered as a primary factor limiting goat production in the Mediterranean region. This study was conducted to determine if the browse of deciduous woody fodder plants is useful as a supplement for goats grazing kermes oak shrublands during July and September. Browses used were of Amorpha fruticosa L., Carpinus orientalis Mill., Colutea arborescens L., Fraxinus ornus L., Ostrya carpinifolia Scop. and Robinia pseudoacacia L.. Treatments included: (1)±(6) kermes oak (Quercus coccifera L.) shrubland plus fresh branches (2 kg/animal/day) of one of the above fodder plants as browse supplement, (7) kermes oak shrubland plus 0.25 (July) or 0.5 (September) kg alfalfa pellets/animal/day and (8) grazing in kermes oak shrubland as a control. Fodder plants produced high amounts of grazable material during summer whose quality ranged from medium (Carpinus, Fraxinus, Ostrya) to high (Amorpha, Colutea and Robinia). Goats ingested higher (p 0.05) browse of Fraxinus (268 g DM) and Ostrya (285 g DM) than the remaining browses (22±177 g DM) and alfalfa pellets (170 g DM) during July, but of Robinia and alfalfa (469 and 434 g DM, respectively) in September. During September, intake of all supplement feeds increased compared to July except for Ostrya, which remained constant. Goats supplemented by alfalfa pellets and browse supplements gained weight in both these periods in contrast to the animals grazing only kermes oak shrubland, except for Amorpha and Colutea in July. It is concluded that during summer, when the forage quality of kermes oak shrubland declines, browse supplement with certain deciduous woody fodder plants allows weight Animal Feed Science and Technology 80 (1999) 267±279
Biochemical and mineral composition of plant species consumed by goats in three seasons of the year
Revista MVZ Córdoba, 2024
Objective. Determine and compare the biochemical and mineral composition of the plant species consumed by grazing goats in three seasons of the year (drought, rain, and transition). Materials and methods. The plant species consumed by goats were sampled in each season during the time that they fed on the rangeland, following them by the feeding paths and recording the species and plant organs they consumed. The data were used to calculate a preference index, recording consumption frequency, and selecting the three most consumed species per season. Results. The most consumed species in the drought season were Cyrtocarpa edulis, Pithecollobium confine, and Cercidium floridum; Forchhammeria watsonii, Tecoma stans, and Cercidium floridum during transition; Cyrtocarpa edulis, Indigofera suffruticosa, and Mimosa distachya in the rainy season. The protein and ethereal extract contents were higher (p≤0.05) in drought season, and those of Ca, Mg, Mn, K, P, and total-N were higher (p≤0.05) in the rainy season. Conclusions. The plant species associated with the rangeland in the study area showed variation per season in mineral and biochemical contents. The result is attributed to species variation and climatological conditions, but both are a source of minerals and nutrients for goats.
Mediterranean Shrub Diversity and its Effect on Food Intake in Goats
Italian Journal of Animal Science, 2014
Mediterranean ecosystem offers a variety of shrubs that were over long periods of time involved in the evolution of complex plant-animal interactions. Biochemical components of these plants enter different metabolic pathways after digestion and absorption, resulting in development of dietary preferences in browsing animals. Herbivores in general were found to perform better when grazing in a mixed plant community composed of diverse species, and show preferential feeding behaviours for mixed vs single species diet. Our findings demonstrate an asymptotic relationship among Mediterranean shrubs species diversity and their voluntary intake by goats. Shrub biomass intake showed linear increase when number of different shrubs in diet increased from one to three. However, goats did not further increase intake when the number of shrub species increased from four to eight. As the number of shrub species offered increased, goats exhibited more preferential feeding behaviour for Quercus pubescens, Fraxinus ornus, Rubus heteromorphus and Arbutus unedo and decreased the intake of Hedera helix, Juniperus oxycedrus and Helichrysum italicum. This asymptotic relationship indicates that the maintenance of plant species richness in Mediterranean shrublands can overall benefit domestic goat farming, goat's productive performance, and the conservation of plant biodiversity.
Diet selection by goats on a semi-arid shrubland in central Argentina
Ecologia Austral
The objective of this study was to determine diet selection by goats on a semi-arid shrubland in the central part of Argentina. Ten goats grazed on a pasture for 10-days periods in winter, spring, and summer. The botanical composition of the pasture was estimated by a combined measure of cover and biomass, whereas the botanical composition of the diet was determined by the microhistological technique complemented with direct observation. Two shrub species (Condalia microphylla and Prosopis caldenia) and five soft grasses (Piptochaetium napostaense, Poa spp., Stipa tennis, S. clarazii, and Pappophorum spp.) were highly selected by goats. Shrubs represented 32%, 40% and 74% of goat diets in winter, spring and summer, respectively. For each season, the rest of goat diets was composed by the soft grasses. Although coarse grasses represented most (> 80%) of the available biomass in all seasons, they were always highly avoided by goats. The results showed that goats behave as mixed-feeders (eat grasses and shrubs) on semi-arid shrublands in central Argentina.
Influence of Native Shrubs on Nutritional Status of Goats: Nitrogen Retention
Journal of Range Management, 1989
In viva digdbiiity trials were conducted to evaiuate the infhtence of shrubs contafning low and high ieveis of soluble pbenoiic/tannins on dig-and nitrogen retention by Angora goats. Each of 6 shrubs and alfaG hay (M&ugo sutiva L.) were fed to goats at 30% (dry matter b&s) of the diet in 8 bariey straw-pr&ie bay mixture. Tbe mixture was reguiated so that ali diets contained about 8% crude protein. High soluble pl~enotic shrubs used included big sagebrush (Artemi.du-Nutt. ssp. &i&&da), gray oak (Querc~~ grireu Liebm.), true mountain mahogany (Cercocaqur montanus Raf.), and one-seed juniper (Juniperus ntonoqwma LEqdm.] Sug). Low-soluble pbenoiic species included common wfnterfat (CeruU&ftu lrurrrtr [pursh.], J.T. Howell), fourwfng saitbwh (A rr@fex cunescuw [purse.), Nutt.), and aifaifa. Nftrogen w of wfnterfat, gray oak, mount& mahogany and one-seed juniper dfets were iess QY.05) than the rifaifa controls, but big sagebrush did not differ (IP.05) compared with the rlfaifa control. Retafned nitrogen (g/d) differed (PC.05) only among aifaif8, juniper, 8nd mount8in mahogany die&t. Goats fed juniper had greater (IYO.05) retain4 nitrogen than the alfti control. Shrubs high in soluble phenolics, with the exception of bfg sagebrush, had elevated fecai nitrogen losses, but reduced urfnary nitrogen losses compared witb tbe aifalfa control. Forage organic matter intake (96 body weight) and nitrogen intake (g/d) were correlated more hfghiy with nitrogen retention thnn dietary crude protein (96) or dfgestibie protein (%). Present data indicate that protein found in paiatabie natfve shrubs is a&niiated with simiiar efficiency to that in aifalfa hay ff these shrubs are consumed at moderate ieveb.
Livestock Science, 2008
The botanical composition, intake and digestibility of the diet selected by Inner Mongolian Cashmere goats grazing on a native Leymus chinensis plant community were measured in two grazing periods (June and August) using the n-alkane markers. In each grazing period, 48 Inner Mongolian Cashmere goats (24 wethers and 24 does with an average live weight of 22.1 ± 1.2 kg and 19.6 ± 0.8 kg, respectively) were divided in two groups (G1: grazing group; G2: cage-fed group) of 24 animals each. Based on the observation of G1 grazing behaviour, G2 goats were fed on herbage obtained by a simulative method and were housed in metabolism cages to determine the alkane faecal recoveries. Diet composition was estimated by comparing the odd-chain n-alkane pattern (C 25 -C 35 ) of the selected plant species with the n-alkane faecal concentrations, corrected for their incomplete faecal recovery. The alkane pair C 32 :C 33 and C 36 alkane were used to estimate intake and diet digestibility, respectively. The results showed that the increase of herbage availability from June to August, resulted in higher (P b 0.05) DM, CP, ME, ADF and NDF intake of both wethers and does, with no evident changes in ADF and NDF intake in does., The intake of nutrients differed significantly between wethers and does in both experimental periods, except for NDF in EP1 and ME in EP2. Differences between grazing seasons and goats' sex in nutrients digestibility were not observed. Diet composition indicated seasonal differences, being Sonchus brachyotus, Artemisia frigida and Phragmites communis the main components of the diet in June. However, Suaeda corniculata, Chloris virgata, Xanthium sibiricum and Echinochloa crusgalli became the main diet components in August. Moreover, the sex affected significantly the diet choices in both grazing periods.
Food selection by domestic goats in Mediterranean arid shrublands
Journal of Arid Environments, 1995
It is essential to know how livestock select their diet, and the factors that influence this diet selection, for the development of rational techniques leading to suitable management of pasture. The aim of this study is to determine the main plant species consumed by goats in arid Mediterranean shrublands, and to show how the preference for a plant changes depending on its availability and chemical composition. Plant species that are not very representative within the range of this study or in the diet (Teucrium capitatum, Launea lanifera and Sideritis leucantha) are shown to be those most selected, and thus in danger of extinction due to the excessive pressure. The species Anthyllis cytisoides is of interest, not only because it is the most abundant in pasture and diet, but also because it is highly palatable. Goats need to change the components of their diet constantly since plant species are significantly more preferred in those zones where they are least available. Plant selection is inversely proportional to the content of Acid Detergent Lignin (ADL). In the remaining nutritional parameters analysed, no significant results were obtained, possibly because of the influence of other variables (i.e. secondary compounds), which were not monitored in this study.
Small Ruminant Research, 1996
The objective of this study was to determine the diet composition of indigenous goats grazing on native shrubland during the dry season (June-September, 1988) in northern Greece, and also to evaluate the nutritive value of the dominant shrub species, oriental hornbeam (Curpinus orientalis Mill.) and manna ash (Frminus ornus L.), in digestion trials. The diet of oesophageally fistulated goats was not significantly different in CP content (11.8% vs. 9.8%), in NDF (40% vs. 40%) and in lignin content (8.0% vs. 7.7%) but digestibility of the summer diet was higher (57%; P < 0.05) than that of the early autumn (53%). In early autumn the animals relied heavily on fallen leaves, which constituted poorer quality forage. CP content of oriental hornbeam and manna ash was 11 .O% and 9.6%, respectively, in summer and 8.7% and 8.1% in autumn. N retention evaluated in digestion trials in browse diets was not significantly different (PaO.05) in summer and early autumn. However, the intake of oriental hornbeam was higher (P< 0.05) than that of manna ash in both seasons. IDMD was not significantly different (P> 0.05) between oriental hornbeam and manna ash within each test period, but it was reduced for both species from summer to early autumn. It was concluded that the foliage of the tested browse was of a relatively high quality during the dry summer period and may play a significant role in goat nutrition in the Mediterranean grazing systems.
Native grasses from northeastern Mexico, such as Aristida spp., Bouteloua gracilis (Thurb), Cenchrus incertus (M.A. Curtis), Hilaria berlangeri (Steud. Nash), Panicum hallii (Varsey), Setaria macrostachya (H.B.K.), and Cenchrus ciliaris (L.), an introduced grass, that are consumed by range goats were evaluated to estimate seasonal CP, lignin, Ca, P, K, Mg, Na, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn contents, and the rate and extent of DM digestion. The in situ nylon bag technique was used to estimate effective digestibility/degradability of DM (EDDM). Potential mineral intake by an adult range goat consuming these grasses was also estimated. The CP content in all grasses was significantly different between seasons. P. hallii had high annual mean CP contents (12%) and Aristida spp. (6%) was low. The native grasses B. gracilis (9%, annual mean), S. macrostachya (10%) and C. incertus (8%) had CP values comparable to the introduced grass C. ciliaris (9%). Lignin contents in all grasses were also significantly different between seasons. Aristida spp. had high annual means (10%) and H. berlangeri was low (6%). With the exception of H. berlangeri, all grasses had higher lignin contents (annual means) than C. ciliaris (6%). The EDDM in all grasses was significantly different between seasons. C. incertus (45%, annual mean) had the highest EDDM, while Aristida spp. (26%) was lowest. During spring and autumn, EDDM in all grasses was higher than in the other seasons. P. hallii, H. berlangeri and C. incertus had comparable EDDM values to C. ciliaris (40%) in all seasons. It was estimated that an adult range goat consuming the studied grasses, could eat sufficient amounts of Ca, Fe, and K (except for K from Aristida spp. in winter and summer), but of Na, Zn and Mn only in spring and autumn, and of Cu only in autumn. The P and Mg contents were marginally deficient in most grasses and in all seasons. The native grasses P. hallii, S. macrostachya, B. gracilis can be considered valuable grasses for goats on the range, because of their relatively high CP contents, and C. incertus, P. hallii and H. berlangeri because of their relatively high EDDM values, comparable to C. ciliaris. However, range goats consuming these grasses need to be supplemented with P and Mg in all seasons, with Na, Zn and Mn in winter and summer, and Cu in winter, spring and summer seasons.
World Journal of Agriculture and Soil Science
The goal of the study was to determine the nutritive values and in vitro true digestibility (IVTD) of browse and forb species consumed by goats at the Tuskegee University Atkins site. The site can be described as unmanaged long leaf pine plantation site approximately 10 years of age in the east, gulf coast region of Macon County, Alabama. The latitude of the Tuskegee site is 32.4230N and longitude is 85.6910W. The landscape is characterized by gently sloping topography (5-10 percent) and consist of many encroaching browse/forb species. The predominant grass cover is primarily of Andropogon virginicus (broom sedge) and other bunch grasses. These browse/forb species encompass much of the woodland vegetation in the Southeastern United States. Thirty different species were selected for analysis based on previous observations of goat preferences. Samples consisted of the leaves and tender tips collected three different times throughout the duration of the growing season (i.e. April (Spring), July (Summer), and November (Fall)). Samples were analyzed for crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), crude fat, and in vitro true digestibility (IVTD). The total digestible nutrients (TDN) values were estimated from ADF values. The average CP values were 19.0, 16.9, and 11.5% for spring, summer and fall collections, respectively. There were significant differences (P<0.001) between the spring values compared with summer and fall values, however, there were no differences (P>0.05) between the summer and the fall values. Similar trends were observed for ADF, NDF, TDN, and IVTD values, except the fat values were similar between the spring and the fall collections while being significantly different from the summer values (P<0.01). The results provided valuable information about the nutritive values and IVTD value of browse and forb species commonly consumed by meat goats in the woodland areas of Alabama. The experiment will be continued for two additional years to overcome the seasonal differences so meaningful results can be obtained.