Sphaeralcea Angustifolia as a Substitute for Alfalfa for Growing Goats

Mellado, M.; Salas, G.; Pittroff, W.

doi:10.2111/07-082.1

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 40 publications

(41 reference statements)

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“…This study confirmed the findings of Mellado et al (2012), who reported that key herbs that the goats from northeastern Mexico prefer are Amaranthus hybridus, Tithonia tubaeformis, and Solanum elaeagnifolium. The goats do not find appealing Solanum elaeagnifolium during its flowering stage (Mellado et al, 2008). However, as a result of its high nutrient content (139 g kg 1 CP in DM; Table 1), this plant can account for 30% of their diets during winter (Mellado et al, 2014).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selection and chemical composition of plant species consumed by goats under drought conditions in three microregions of the Comarca Lagunera, Mexico

Arenas-Báez,

Maldonado-Jáquez,

Garay-Martínez

et al. 2024

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Objective: To evaluate the plant selection of the diet of goats during the dry season and the chemical composition of the said plants in three microregions of the Comarca Lagunera, Mexico. Design/Methodology/Approach: Three microregions were identified within the Comarca Lagunera: 1) mountain slope, 2) plain, and 3) cultivation areas. The selection of the goat diet, the availability of forage, and the nutritional composition (CP, EE, DNF, AFD, NFC, TDN, and NEl) of plant species and strata were evaluated in the three microregions. Results: The shrubs and herbaceous in the Comarca Lagunera had the highest forage availability and a better nutritional profile during winter. On the one hand, these plant strata had an adequate protein content. On the other hand, the overall energy content reached <1 Mcal kg-1 DM. Study Limitations/Implications: The plant strata have an adequate protein content; however, the energy content is not enough and limits growth. Consequently, supplementation programs for grazing dairy goats in the Comarca Lagunera must include sources of energy. Findings/Conclusions: Regardless of the microregion, the energy content of the species consumed by grazing dairy goats in the Comarca Lagunera is low.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selection and chemical composition of plant species consumed by goats under drought conditions in three microregions of the Comarca Lagunera, Mexico

Arenas-Báez,

Maldonado-Jáquez,

Garay-Martínez

et al. 2024

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“…The high levels of this forb in the goat diets are explained by the high nutrient levels, digestibility of nutrients, dry matter intake and low concentration of secondary compounds shown by this species. These characteristics make S. angustifolia comparable to alfalfa (Mellado et al, 2008a). The extensive use of this forb by goats in desert rangelands has been amply documented (Mellado et al, 2004a,c).…”

Section: Botanical Composition Of Dietsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The food habits of goats on rangelands with different amounts of fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) cover

Mellado

Rodríguez

Lozano

et al. 2012

Journal of Arid Environments

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Dietary selection by goats and the implications for range management in the Chihuahuan Desert: a review

Mellado¹

2016

Rangel. J.

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Field studies characterising the forage resources of mixed-breed goats on Chihuahuan Desert rangelands were reviewed and the principal sources of variation in their diet choices discussed. Goats eat a varied diet comprising at least 126 plant species in this landscape. Goats are highly selective feeders, changing their diet from predominantly forbs (8–64%) to browse (35–88%). Graminoids make up only ~5% of the diet, but grasses could be important dietary components on rangelands in good condition. Feed intakes range between 0.8% and 3.4% of bodyweight, depending on the season. DM digestibility of forage selected by goats ranges between 44% and 65%. Annual crude protein (CP) in forages selected by goats varies from 80 to 160 g CP kg–1 DM. Overall, pregnant and lactating goats manage to ingest food that contains higher amounts of CP and lower amounts of cell wall than non-pregnant, non-lactating goats. Goats not adapted to severe shortage of forage select a diet that does not match their nutritional requirements and fetal losses occur. Goat kids select higher quality diets than do mature goats (94.5 vs 88.5 g CP kg–1 DM). Granadina goats eat ~20% more shrubs, including 3-fold more Larrea tridentata (DC) Cav., than Nubian goats. Goats with severely eroded incisors avoid grasses, focusing on tender-leaved shrubs. During the rainy season, bucks select mainly shrubs (78% of the diet) and avoid grasses (1.7% of the diet), whereas does rely heavily on forbs (about one-third of their diet). Alternating use of grazing grounds increases shrub ingestion by 25%. No evidence exists indicating that food choice by goats in this arid environment is biased towards forages with lower secondary compounds. It is concluded that the flexible, broad-scale and opportunistic feeding behaviour of goats make them an effective animal to sustainably exploit the forage resources of the Chihuahuan Desert.

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Sphaeralcea Angustifolia as a Substitute for Alfalfa for Growing Goats

Cited by 5 publications

References 40 publications

Selection and chemical composition of plant species consumed by goats under drought conditions in three microregions of the Comarca Lagunera, Mexico

Selection and chemical composition of plant species consumed by goats under drought conditions in three microregions of the Comarca Lagunera, Mexico

The food habits of goats on rangelands with different amounts of fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) cover

Dietary selection by goats and the implications for range management in the Chihuahuan Desert: a review

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