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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #166169
Title: EFFECTS OF METHODS OF EXPOSURE TO EASTERN RED CEDAR FOLIAGE ON CEDAR CONSUMPTION BY BOER CROSSBRED WETHER GOATS

Author
item ANIMUT, G - DE LA GARZA GOAT INST
item GOETSCH, A - DE LA GARZA GOAT INST
item Estell, Richard - Rick
item MERKEL, R - DE LA GARZA GOAT INST
item DAWSON, L - OKLAHOMA STATE UNIV
item SAHLU, T - DE LA GARZA GOAT INST
item PUCHALA, R - DE LA GARZA GOAT INST

Submitted to: Dairy Goat Field Day Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/24/2004
Publication Date: 4/24/2004
Citation: Animut, G., Goetsch, A.L., Estell, R.E., Merkel, R.C., Dawson, L.J., Sahlu, T., Puchala, R. 2004. Effects of methods of exposure to Eastern red cedar foliage on cedar consumption by Boer crossbred wether goats [abstract]. Dairy Goat Field Day Proceedings. 19:188.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Twenty-four Boer crossbred yearling wethers (23.5 ± 2.31 kg initial BW) were used to determine effects of stepwise increases in dietary level of Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) foliage (CF), compared with a constant, relatively high level and subsequent availability of low-quality forage, on present and later consumption of CF. Animals were penned individually in Phases 1 (8 wk) and 3 (2 wk) and during Phase 2 (6 wk) wethers were kept in a pasture not containing cedar trees and were fed wheat hay. In Phase 1 a concentrate-based diet (CBD, 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 level of substitution of CF for CBD (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). In Phase 3 (2 wk), all wethers were offered the diet of 75% CBD and 25% CF as previously, without or with separate free-choice access to low-quality grass hay. CF was harvested weekly, refrigerated and hand-mixed with CBD prior to feeding. In Phase 1, 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: 90 and 71; wk 6: 96 and 81; wk 7: 93 and 63; wk 8: 96 and 84), although CF intake as g/day was greater (P < 0.05) for Set vs. Step in all but wk 7 and 8. In Phase 3, CBD intake was similar among treatments, and hay intake when offered averaged 149, 134 and 124 g/day for Step, Set and Control, respectively. For wethers not receiving hay, CF intake as g/day for Step was greatest among treatments (P < 0.05) but was not different from treatments with offered hay (67, 37, 30, 55, 53 and 56 g/day for Step, Set and Control without and with hay, respectively; SE = 7.1). Similarly, CF intake as a percentage of that offered 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 and Control without and with hay, respectively; SE = 7.6). Concentrations of various blood constituents at the end of Phases 1 and 3 did not indicate adverse health effects of CF consumption. In conclusion, gradual increases in dietary level of CF deserve further research as a potential means to elevate present and future CF consumption, with attention also directed to effects of type and level of other feedstuffs offered.