Volume 68, Issue 3, May 2015, Pages 285–289
Improving Cattle Nutrition on the Great Plains with Shrubs and Fecal Seeding of Fourwing Saltbush ☆
Abstract
Two in vitro trials were conducted for estimates of dietary percentage of fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens; FS) or winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata;
WF) for improved dietary digestibility when cattle graze mature
cool-season grass. Three in vitro trials were conducted to estimate
percentage of FS and WF seeds that could survive passage through the
bovine gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) with potential for fecal seeding.
Mixtures of FS and mature smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis; SB) or WF and SB had greater apparent digestibility than SB alone (P < 0.0001). There were positive linear relationships (r2
≥ 0.93) between the amount of each shrub in digested mixtures and
digestibility. Similar relationships were observed with mixtures of FS
and mature Altai wildrye (Leymus angustus). Germination of
Dakota FS seeds in the first trial, incubated for 24 or 48 h, was 55%
and 47%, respectively, with no difference in germination of seeds for
the 24- and 48-h incubations (P = 0.26), but more seeds germinated if incubated versus not (P
≤ 0.002). Germination of Utah FS seeds, which were incubated for 24 or
48 h with high-, medium-, or low-quality forage, averaged 9% and 8%,
respectively. Length of incubation, forage quality, and their
interaction did not influence germination (P ≥ 0.45). Germination of nonincubated Utah FS seeds was 21% and greater than for incubated seeds (P
= 0.004). Average germination of WF seeds was 0.6% and 0.1% for 24- and
48-h incubations, respectively, with incubation length, forage quality,
and their interaction not significant (P ≥ 0.31). Nonincubated WF seeds had greater germination (42%) than incubated seeds (P
< 0.0001). Results from the third trial were confirmatory for Dakota
FS seed. FS and WF can improve diet quality of grazing cattle in late
summer through winter, and some FS seeds have potential for fecal
seeding.
Key words
- dormant-season;
- grazing;
- protein intake;
- winter;
- winterfat
- ☆
- Mention of a proprietary product does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the USDA or the author and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of another product that may also be suitable. The USDA, ARS Northern Plains Area is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All agency services are available without discrimination.
- Corresponding author: Scott Kronberg. Tel:
+ 1 701 667 3013.
Published by Elsevier Inc.
