Height to withers and abdominal circumference effects on diets of grazing goats

Mellado, M.; Rodríguez, A.; Villarreal, José Ángel; López, R. García

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2004.03.011

Cited by 7 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…In practice, various methods were used to study the diet selection and they can be generally divided into two broad types: 1) methods directly connected with animals such as the analysis of fecal and rumen contents (Homolka & Heroldová 1992;Heroldová 1996;Mellado et al 2004), esophageal fistulation (Henley et al 2001;Woji & Iji 1996) and direct observations of grazing animals (Dumont & Boissy 2000); or, alternatively, 2) methods based on vegetation such as the measurement of sward height (Correl et al 2003;Barthram et al 2005), biomass sampling of grazed plots and ungrazed control (Lepš et al 1995) or direct estimation of grazing damage caused by bites upon individual plant species on the pasture (Bílek et al 2000;Stroh et al 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sward structure and diet selection after sheep introduction on abandoned grassland in the Giant Mts, Czech Republic

et al. 2008

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The effect of rotational grazing on the sward structure of long-term abandoned grassland and the sheep diet selection were investigated in the Giant Mts (Krkonoše/Karkonosze). The aim of the study was to answer the following questions: (1) Does sheep grazing affect the sward structure of previously abandoned mountain grassland? (2) How does sheep diet selection develop within and among grazing seasons? (3) Which section of a pasture do sheep prefer to graze? Data was collected three times during each grazing season in spring, summer and in autumn in the years 2001, 2002 and 2003. Fifty 1 × 1 m plots were used where the plant species occurrence and damage of plants by grazing for all species were repeatedly recorded. 1) Nonsignificant changes in plant species occurrences were recorded in spite of obvious visual changes in sward structure due to grazing e.g. the retreat of tall dominant species characteristic of long-term unmanaged grasslands. 2) Seasonal as well as inter-annual changes in sheep diet selection were detected. In spring 2001, sheep grazed over a wide variety of plant species in low quantities. In subsequent springs, they preferred species favoured during previous autumns (Veratrum album subsp. lobelianum; Ranunculus platanifolius; Senecio ovatus) and changed the diet only as a result of the elimination of favoured plants. 3) Sheep preferred to graze at the highest elevated part of the pasture probably as a consequence of anti-predator behaviour not due to higher occurrence of favoured plant species or the presence of a drinking place or salt licks. Changes in the sward structure were mostly of a quantitative not qualitative character, thus the presence-absence data collection is not a suitable method for monitoring the effects of management restoration. The diet selection changed probably due to the animals' experience; sheep had no experience with montane species in spring 2001. The sheep were able to recognize favoured plant species after 6 months of wintering in lowland.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sward structure and diet selection after sheep introduction on abandoned grassland in the Giant Mts, Czech Republic

et al. 2008

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“…Considering the high CP and low fiber of this forb, as well as the high preference of this forage by grazing goats (Mellado et al 2004b), it can be typified as ''good-quality'' forage at the flowering stage. The CP level of S. angustifolia reported in this study is similar to levels reported for various other forbs in this type of landscape (Box et al 1967;Schweitzer et al 1993).…”

Section: Chemical Composition Of Foragesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sphaeralcea Angustifolia as a Substitute for Alfalfa for Growing Goats

Mellado

Salas

Pittroff

2008

Rangeland Ecology & Management

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Narrowleaf globemallow (Sphaeralcea angustifolia [Cav.] G. Don) occurs on millions of hectares of rangeland in the United States and Mexico, and it constitutes an important forage for herbivores. Forty 2-mo-old crossbred female goats (native 3 dairy goats; 9.4 6 2.2 kg) were randomly allotted to five dietary groups (two] goats per pen, four replications per ration) to evaluate the effects of feeding different levels of S. angustifolia in a complete ration on growth performance and diet digestibility. The rations were a total mixed control ration containing 0% S. angustifolia (T0) and four rations in which S. angustifolia progressively replaced alfalfa (25% [T25], 50% [T50], 75% [T75], and 100% [T100]). Grains and forage made up 70% and 30% of the dietary dry matter (DM) in all rations. Differences (P , 0.05) were observed between treatments in average daily gain (ADG; range 88-124 g ? d 21) and DM intake (DMI; range 3.3-4.0% body weight). Feed conversion ratio (DMI/ADG; range 4.0-4.8) was similar (P. 0.20) among treatments. Goats fed diets with any of the S. angustifolia levels had similar apparent nitrogen (N) digestion (range 67.6-69.8%) as those fed only alfalfa, but N retention was greater (P , 0.05) in goats on T25 and T50 diets compared to other diets. The apparent digestibilities of DM, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber were greater (P , 0.05) for T25 and T50 than for other diets. Results indicate that S. angustifolia at the flowering stage was a savory and nutritious roughage, which could fully replace alfalfa hay in diets of growing goats. Considering that S. angustifolia is readily consumed by foraging animals, it is abundant enough that it is a significant source of forage, and has a sufficient quality to nutritionally satisfy herbivores, this forb is a potentially useful forage for pen-fed goats. Resumen La hierba del negro (Sphaeralcea angustifolia [Cav.] G. Don) crece en millones de hectáreas de pastizales en los Estados Unidos y Me´xico, y constituye una fuente importante de alimento para los herbívoros. Cuarenta cabras de dos meses de edad de genotipo indefinido (9.4 6 2.2 kg; cabras criollas x cabras lecheras) fueron distribuidas al azar en cinco grupos dietéticos (dos cabras por corral, cuatro replicas por ración) para evaluar los diferentes niveles de alimentación de la S. angustifolia en una ración completa, en el crecimiento y la digestibilidad de la dieta. Las raciones fueron: una mezcla completa de control con 0% de S. angustifolia (T0) y cuatro raciones en las cuales S. angustifolia remplazó progresivamente a la alfalfa (25% [T25], 50% [T50], 75% [T75] y 100% [T100]). Los granos y el forraje constituyeron el 70 y 30% del DM dietético en todas las raciones. Diferencias (P , 0.05) fueron observadas entre los tratamientos en la ganancia de peso promedio (ADG, el rango entre 88 y 124 g día 21) y el consumo diario de alimento (DMI, rango entre 3.3 y 4.0% BW). La ración de conversión alimenticia (DMI/ ADG; rango entre 4.0 y 4.8) fue similar (P. 0.20) entre los tratamientos. Las c...

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