Author
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Cassida, Kimberly |
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Submitted to: Proceedings of the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Symposium
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 5/10/2007 Publication Date: 12/31/2007 Citation: Cassida, K.A. 2007. Alternative pastures for small ruminants. In: Morales, M. R. and Foster, J. G., editors. Proceedings of the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Symposium, March 10, 2007, Beckley, West Virginia. p. 11-17. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Small ruminant livestock have some unique considerations for grazing compared to cattle. Like cattle, sheep are natural grazers that readily eat grass, but goats are browsers that prefer to eat leaves from shrubs. Sheep and goats require greater nutritive quality in the diet than cattle, and if stocking rate is low and stage of production not demanding, they can obtain the needed nutrients by selecting only the most nutritious parts of pasture or browse plants. Sheep and especially goats experience increased gastrointestinal parasite loads if forced to graze too close to the ground. With these caveats, sheep and goats can use any pasture that is suitable for cattle, but some alternative forages look especially promising. Prairiegrass and brassicas can produce finishing lamb gains similar to those obtained on grain-based diets. Chicory and legumes such as alfalfa, red clover, birdsfoot trefoil, or sericea lespedeza may improve animal tolerance of parasites through better protein nutrition or direct anthelmintic effects on the parasites. Invasive brush such as multiflora rose has good nutritive value for goats, which can be used as brush control agents. |
