Authors : M. Guerrero-Cervantes , R.G. Ramirez , M.A. Cerrillo-Soto , R. Montoya-Escalante , G. Nevarez-Carrasco and A.S. Juarez-Reyes
Abstract: Native trees (2), shrubs (11), forbs (4), cacti (3) and flowers, fruits and pods (8) that are consumed by range goats in North Mexico were evaluated to determine their Organic Matter (OM), Crude Protein (CP) and the rate and extent of Dry Matter (DM) digestion. The effective degradability of DM (EDDM) was determined by incubating nylon bags (5x10 cm; 50 μm) at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h in the ventral part of the rumen of mature Suffolk x Rambouillet sheep fed alfalfa hay (75%) and a commercial concentrate (25%). The CP (trees mean = 8.0% DM, shrubs = 14, forbs = 13, cacti = 5, flowers, fruits and pods = 8) was significantly different among all species within each group of plants. Moreover, EDDM (34, 56, 58, 70 and 65%, respectively) was significantly different among plants within each group. Nutritional analyses may allow to rank range plants in low nutritional quality (trees), medium (shrubs and forbs) and high (cacti, flowers, fruits and pods).
M. Guerrero-Cervantes , R.G. Ramirez , M.A. Cerrillo-Soto , R. Montoya-Escalante , G. Nevarez-Carrasco and A.S. Juarez-Reyes , 2009. Dry Matter Digestion of Native Forages Consumed by Range Goats in North Mexico. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 8: 408-412.