Iris Publishers - World Journal of Agriculture and Soil Science (WJASS)
The Effect of Growing Season on the Nutrient Composition and in Vitro True Digestibility of Browse and Forb Species Commonly Consumed by Goats in the Southeastern United States
Authorized by Nar Gurung
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.
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