Forage intake, digestibility and performance of cattle, horses, sheep and goats grazing together on an improved heathland
K. Osoro A , L. M. M. Ferreira B , U. García A , A. Martínez A and R. Celaya A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), 33300 Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain.
B CECAV-Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
C Corresponding author. Email: rcelaya@serida.org
Animal Production Science 57(1) 102-109 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN15153
Submitted: 19 March 2015 Accepted: 31 July 2015 Published: 22 September 2015
Abstract
A mixed herd of five cows, five mares, 32 ewes and 32 goats was managed with their offspring during two consecutive years in a paddock (22.3 ha) with 76% of heathlands and 24% of improved pasture area, with the aim of studying their differences in ingestive behaviour and performance. Diet composition, dry matter intake (DMI) and digestibility (DMD) were estimated on three occasions using the alkane technique, and all animals were periodically weighed to calculate bodyweight (BW) changes per livestock unit (LU). Goats selected higher proportions of shrubs than the other herbivore species (P < 0.001). Overall, daily DMI was higher (P < 0.001) in equines (218 g/kg BW0.75) than in ruminants (174, 121 and 80 g/kg BW0.75 for cattle, goats and sheep, respectively), whereas DMD was lower (P < 0.001) in equines (569 g/kg DM) compared with ruminants (733–791 g/kg DM). During the first half of the grazing season (from late April to mid-July), dams’ BW changes per LU did not differ between species. However, during late summer–autumn lower (P < 0.001) BW losses per LU were observed in sheep and goats (–89 g/day) than in cattle (–534 g/day), being intermediate in horses (–254 g/day). For the overall grazing season, ewes and goats showed greater (P = 0.056) BW gains per LU (338 g/day) than cows and mares (178 g/day). Regarding the offspring, BW gains per LU were greater (P < 0.001) in lambs (3612 g/day) than in other species. Calves presented greater gains than kids (2647 vs 1909 g/day.LU), whereas foals showed intermediate gains (2385 g/day.LU). Therefore, under these conditions of partially improved heathlands, sheep was the most productive species. However, looking at the diet selection and digestibility, goats could complement sheep or cattle herds by achieving a more efficient utilisation of heathland vegetation, and increasing overall productivity per hectare. By contrast, horses, having high levels of grass intake, compete with cattle and sheep for pasture utilisation.
Additional keywords: beef, digestive capacity, equine, ingestive behaviour, meat production, mixed grazing.
References
Aiken GE, Potter GD, Conrad BE, Evans JW (1989) Growth performance of yearling horses grazing bermudagrass pastures at different grazing pressures. Journal of Animal Science 67, 2692–2697.| Growth performance of yearling horses grazing bermudagrass pastures at different grazing pressures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK3c%2Fjs1CntQ%3D%3D&md5=707730eadfd1bbd1bd63cd4364f40da1CAS | 2808170PubMed |
Association of Official Analytical Chemists (2006) ‘Official methods of analysis.’ 18th edn. (AOAC: Gaithersburg, MD)
Baker RD, Alvarez F, Le Du YLP (1981) The effect of herbage allowance upon the herbage intake and performance of suckler cows and calves. Grass and Forage Science 36, 189–199.
| The effect of herbage allowance upon the herbage intake and performance of suckler cows and calves.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Barthram GT (1986) Experimental techniques: the HFRO swardstick. In ‘The Hill Farming Research Organisation biennial report 1984–85’. pp. 29–30. (HFRO: Midlothian, UK)
Baumont R, Prache S, Meuret M, Morand-Fehr P (2000) How forage characteristics influence behaviour and intake in small ruminants: a review. Livestock Production Science 64, 15–28.
| How forage characteristics influence behaviour and intake in small ruminants: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
CEC (2009) Commission Regulation (EC) No 1200/2009 of 30 November 2009 implementing Regulation (EC) No 1166/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods, as regards livestock unit coefficients and definitions of the characteristics. Official Journal of the European Union L 329, 28
Celaya R, Martínez A, Osoro K (2007a) Vegetation dynamics in Cantabrian heathlands associated with improved pasture areas under single or mixed grazing by sheep and goats. Small Ruminant Research 72, 165–177.
| Vegetation dynamics in Cantabrian heathlands associated with improved pasture areas under single or mixed grazing by sheep and goats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Celaya R, Oliván M, Ferreira LMM, Martínez A, García U, Osoro K (2007b) Comparison of grazing behaviour, dietary overlap and performance in non-lactating domestic ruminants grazing on marginal heathland areas. Livestock Science 106, 271–281.
| Comparison of grazing behaviour, dietary overlap and performance in non-lactating domestic ruminants grazing on marginal heathland areas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Celaya R, Benavides R, García U, Ferreira LMM, Ferre I, Martínez A, Ortega-Mora LM, Osoro K (2008) Grazing behaviour and performance of lactating suckler cows, ewes and goats on partially improved heathlands. Animal 2, 1818–1831.
| Grazing behaviour and performance of lactating suckler cows, ewes and goats on partially improved heathlands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC38vptFelsQ%3D%3D&md5=46837d8f534ba2342479921547896eccCAS | 22444089PubMed |
Celaya R, Ferreira LMM, García U, Rosa García R, Osoro K (2011) Diet selection and performance of cattle and horses grazing in heathlands. Animal 5, 1467–1473.
| Diet selection and performance of cattle and horses grazing in heathlands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC38vovFSjsQ%3D%3D&md5=90153b065e6f728e686f46e68cd96065CAS | 22440293PubMed |
Chenost M, Martin-Rosset W (1985) Comparaison entre espèces (mouton, cheval, bovin) de la digestibilité et des quantités ingérées des fourrages verts. Annales de Zootechnie 34, 291–312.
| Comparaison entre espèces (mouton, cheval, bovin) de la digestibilité et des quantités ingérées des fourrages verts.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cymbaluk NF (1990) Comparison of forage digestion by cattle and horses. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 70, 601–610.
| Comparison of forage digestion by cattle and horses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Decandia M, Yiakoulaki MD, Pinna G, Cabiddu A, Molle G (2008) Foraging behaviour and intake of goats browsing on Mediterranean shrublands. In ‘Dairy goats feeding and nutrition’. (Eds A Cannas, G Pulina) pp. 161–188. (CAB International: Wallingford, UK)
Domingue BMF, Dellow DW, Barry TN (1991) Voluntary intake and rumen digestion of a low-quality roughage by goats and sheep. The Journal of Agricultural Science 117, 111–120.
| Voluntary intake and rumen digestion of a low-quality roughage by goats and sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dove H, Moore AD (1995) Using a least-squares optimization procedure to estimate diet composition based on the alkanes of plant cuticular wax. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 46, 1535–1544.
| Using a least-squares optimization procedure to estimate diet composition based on the alkanes of plant cuticular wax.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK28XhtFylsLY%3D&md5=43a6136f0d9e5572f87bf26e75468f95CAS |
Duncan P, Foose TJ, Gordon IJ, Gakahu CG, Lloyd M (1990) Comparative nutrient extraction from forages by grazing bovids and equids: a test of the nutritional model of equid/bovid competition and coexistence. Oecologia 84, 411–418.
| Comparative nutrient extraction from forages by grazing bovids and equids: a test of the nutritional model of equid/bovid competition and coexistence.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ferreira LMM, Oliván M, Garcia U, Rodrigues MAM, Osoro K (2005) Validation of the alkane technique to estimate diet selection of goats grazing heather-gorse vegetation communities. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 85, 1636–1646.
| Validation of the alkane technique to estimate diet selection of goats grazing heather-gorse vegetation communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXmsVaru7Y%3D&md5=ce7b040d20112fafdee662ddd6068a29CAS |
Ferreira LMM, Garcia U, Rodrigues MAM, Celaya R, Dias-da-Silva A, Osoro K (2007a) The application of the n-alkane technique for estimating the composition of diets consumed by equines and cattle feeding on upland vegetation communities. Animal Feed Science and Technology 138, 47–60.
| The application of the n-alkane technique for estimating the composition of diets consumed by equines and cattle feeding on upland vegetation communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXhtFSlu7%2FL&md5=a3d46f0a4d864eb55e3750f86e4c9717CAS |
Ferreira LMM, Oliván M, Celaya R, Garcia U, Rodrigues MAM, Osoro K (2007b) The use of the alkane technique to estimate diet selection of sheep grazing grass-clover/heather-gorse vegetation communities. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 87, 274–285.
| The use of the alkane technique to estimate diet selection of sheep grazing grass-clover/heather-gorse vegetation communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXhtFWis78%3D&md5=88264a67256138055ff577fecef032f4CAS |
Ferreira LMM, Celaya R, Benavides R, Jáuregui BM, García U, Santos AS, Rosa García R, Rodrigues MAM, Osoro K (2013) Foraging behaviour of domestic herbivore species grazing on heathlands associated with improved pasture areas. Livestock Science 155, 373–383.
| Foraging behaviour of domestic herbivore species grazing on heathlands associated with improved pasture areas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fitzhugh HA (1978) Animal size and efficiency, with special reference to the breeding female. Animal Production 27, 393–401.
| Animal size and efficiency, with special reference to the breeding female.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fleurance G, Duncan P, Fritz H, Gordon IJ, Grenier-Loustalot MF (2010) Influence of sward structure on daily intake and foraging behaviour by horses. Animal 4, 480–485.
| Influence of sward structure on daily intake and foraging behaviour by horses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC38vptFahtQ%3D%3D&md5=c4f6aa7d73f4c3235aeb6ded309cc8e3CAS | 22443953PubMed |
Forbes TDA, Hodgson J (1985) Comparative studies of the influence of sward conditions on the ingestive behaviour of cows and sheep. Grass and Forage Science 40, 69–77.
| Comparative studies of the influence of sward conditions on the ingestive behaviour of cows and sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hadjigeorgiou IE, Gordon IJ, Milne JA (2003) Intake, digestion and selection of roughage with different staple lengths by sheep and goats. Small Ruminant Research 47, 117–132.
| Intake, digestion and selection of roughage with different staple lengths by sheep and goats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hodgson J, Forbes TDA, Armstrong RH, Beattie MM, Hunter EA (1991) Comparative studies of the ingestive behaviour and herbage intake of sheep and cattle grazing indigenous hill plant communities. Journal of Applied Ecology 28, 205–227.
| Comparative studies of the ingestive behaviour and herbage intake of sheep and cattle grazing indigenous hill plant communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Illius AW, Gordon IJ (1987) The allometry of food intake in grazing ruminants. Journal of Animal Ecology 56, 989–999.
| The allometry of food intake in grazing ruminants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mayes RW, Lamb CS, Colgrove PM (1986) The use of dosed and herbage n-alkanes as markers for the determination of herbage intake. The Journal of Agricultural Science 107, 161–170.
| The use of dosed and herbage n-alkanes as markers for the determination of herbage intake.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL28XlsFajs7k%3D&md5=b39f7d9e4c1c2668f7e27494c83bc3ebCAS |
Menard C, Duncan P, Fleurance G, Georges JY, Lila M (2002) Comparative foraging and nutrition of horses and cattle in European wetlands. Journal of Applied Ecology 39, 120–133.
| Comparative foraging and nutrition of horses and cattle in European wetlands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Merchant M, Riach DJ (1994) The intake and performance of cashmere goats grazing sown swards. Grass and Forage Science 49, 429–437.
| The intake and performance of cashmere goats grazing sown swards.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Moreno-Gonzalo J, Ferre I, Celaya R, Frutos P, Ferreira LMM, Hervás G, García U, Ortega-Mora LM, Osoro K (2012) Potential use of heather to control gastrointestinal nematodes in goats. Small Ruminant Research 103, 60–68.
| Potential use of heather to control gastrointestinal nematodes in goats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Oliván M, Osoro K (1999) Effect of temperature on alkane extraction from faeces and herbage. The Journal of Agricultural Science 132, 305–312.
| Effect of temperature on alkane extraction from faeces and herbage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Orr RJ, Parsons AJ, Penning PD, Treacher TT (1990) Sward composition, animal performance and the potential production of grass/white clover swards continuously stocked with sheep. Grass and Forage Science 45, 325–336.
| Sward composition, animal performance and the potential production of grass/white clover swards continuously stocked with sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Osoro K, Martínez A, Celaya R (2002) Effect of breed and sward height on sheep performance and production per hectare during the spring and autumn in Northern Spain. Grass and Forage Science 57, 137–146.
| Effect of breed and sward height on sheep performance and production per hectare during the spring and autumn in Northern Spain.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Osoro K, Ferreira LMM, García U, Jáuregui BM, Martínez A, Rosa García R, Celaya R (2013) Diet selection and performance of sheep and goats grazing on different heathland vegetation types. Small Ruminant Research 109, 119–127.
| Diet selection and performance of sheep and goats grazing on different heathland vegetation types.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Putman RJ, Pratt RM, Ekins JR, Edwards PJ (1987) Food and feeding behaviour of cattle and ponies in the New Forest, Hampshire. Journal of Applied Ecology 24, 369–380.
| Food and feeding behaviour of cattle and ponies in the New Forest, Hampshire.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Santos AS, Rodrigues MAM, Bessa RJB, Ferreira LM, Martin-Rosset W (2011) Understanding the equine cecum-colon ecosystem: current knowledge and future perspectives. Animal 5, 48–56.
| Understanding the equine cecum-colon ecosystem: current knowledge and future perspectives.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC38vovFajsA%3D%3D&md5=418eb1b283295a86c62fd3dda85365daCAS | 22440701PubMed |
Silanikove N (2000) The physiological basis of adaptation in goats to harsh environments. Small Ruminant Research 35, 181–193.
| The physiological basis of adaptation in goats to harsh environments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Van Soest PJ (1994) ‘Nutritional ecology of the ruminant.’ 2nd edn. (Cornell University Press: Ithaca, NY)
Van Soest PJ, Robertson JB, Lewis BA (1991) Methods for dietary fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and nonstarch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition. Journal of Dairy Science 74, 3583–3597.
| Methods for dietary fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and nonstarch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK38%2FnvVCltA%3D%3D&md5=e5c1ebe000070887297cc2a8c330cfc1CAS | 1660498PubMed |
Wright IA, Whyte TK, Osoro K (1990) The herbage intake and performance of autumn-calving beef cows and their calves when grazing continuously at two sward heights. Animal Production 51, 85–92.
| The herbage intake and performance of autumn-calving beef cows and their calves when grazing continuously at two sward heights.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
