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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #151563
Title: EFFECTS OF METHOD OF EXPOSURE OF CROSSBRED BOER WETHER GOATS TO EASTERN RED CEDAR FOLIAGE ON CEDAR CONSUMPTION

Author
item ANIMUT, G - LANGSTON UNIVERSITY
item GOETSCH, A - LANGSTON UNIVERSITY
item MERKEL, R - LANGSTON UNIVERSITY
item DETWEILER, G - LANGSTON UNIVERSITY
item DAWSON, L - OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
item PUCHALA, R - LANGSTON UNIVERSITY
item SAHLU, T - LANGSTON UNIVERSITY
item Estell, Richard - Rick

Submitted to: Joint Abstracts of the American Dairy Science and Society of Animal Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/4/2003
Publication Date: 6/23/2003
Citation: ANIMUT, G., GOETSCH, A.L., MERKEL, R.C., DETWEILER, G., DAWSON, L.J., PUCHALA, R., SAHLU, T., ESTELL, R.E. EFFECTS OF METHOD OF EXPOSURE OF CROSSBRED BOER WETHER GOATS TO EASTERN RED CEDAR FOLIAGE ON CEDAR CONSUMPTION. JOINT ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN DAIRY SCIENCE ASSOCIATION, THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ANIMAL SCIENCE, AND THE MEXICAN ASSOCIATION OF ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 2003. V. 81(SUPPL. 1). ABSTRACT P. 324.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: This study was conducted to determine effects on present and future consumption of Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) foliage (CF) by goats of stepwise increases in dietary level of CF compared with a constant, relatively high-level and subsequent availability of low-quality forage. Twenty-four yearling wethers (23.5 ± 2.31 kg initial BW) were penned individually in Phases 1 and 3. In Phase 1 (8 wk), a concentrate-based diet (12.6% CP and 35.5% NDF) was offered at approximately 85% of the maintenance energy requirement alone (Control) or with weekly stepwise (Step) increases in substitution of CF for concentrate (0, 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25% in wk 1-8, respectively; DM basis) or substitution of 25% CF in wk 2-8 (Set). Wethers grazed grass pasture in Phase 2 (6 wk). In Phase 3 (2 wk), all wethers were offered the 75% concentrate, 25% CF diet, without or with separate free-choice offering of prairie hay. CF was harvested weekly from male trees and refrigerated; CF and concentrate were hand-mixed prior to feeding. In Phase 1, average total DMI was similar among treatments. Intake of CF as a percentage of that offered was greater (P < 0.05) for Step vs Set in wk 3-8 (wk 3: 86 and 48; wk 4: 89 and 56; wk 5: 94 and 71; wk 6: 96 and 81; wk 7: 93 and 63; wk 8: 96 and 84), although CF intake as g/d was greater (P > 0.05) for Set vs Step in all but wk 7 and 8. In Phase 3, concentrate intake was similar among treatments, and hay intake when offered averaged 149, 134, and 124 g/d for Step, Set, and Control, respectively. For wethers not receiving hay, CF intake as g/d for Step was greatest among treatments (P < 0.05) but was not different from treatments offered hay (67, 37, 30, 55, 53, and 56 g/d for Step, Set, Control, Step+hay, Set+hay, and Control+hay, respectively; SE = 7.1). Similarly, CF intake as a percentage of offered CF ranked (P < 0.05) Step > Set > Control without hay, but was not different between Step without hay and treatments with hay (78, 41, 34, 61, 57, and 60% for Step, Set, Control, Step+hay, Set+hay, and Control+hay, respectively; SE = 7.6). In conclusion, gradual increases in dietary level of CF deserve further research as a potential means of elevating present and future CF consumption, with attention also directed to type and level of other feedstuffs offered.