Selective behavior of Creole goats in response to the functional heterogeneity of native forage species in the central Monte desert, Argentina

Egea, A.V.; Allegretti, L.; Lama, S. Paez; Grilli, Diego; Sartor, Carmen Elena; Fucili, M.; Guevara, J.C.; Passera, Carlos B.

doi:10.1016/j.smallrumres.2014.04.005

Cited by 34 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…The good agreement between both techniques has also been reported by Miller and Thompson (2005). Results from this study showed a greater contribution of browse than herbaceous species to goat diets in both seasons and physiological states, even when herbaceous availability in the experimental area is high in the wet season (Egea et al, 2014). A similar browse preference was also reported for goats grazing in shrub-dominated plant communities (Mellado, Foote, Rodríguez, & Zarate, 1991;Mellado, Rodriguez, Villarreal, & Olivera, 2005).…”

Section: Effect Of Season and Physiological State On Diet Botanicalsupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nevertheless, DD was greater in summer than winter, 65% and 45% respectively. These results can be explained by the reduced availability of herbaceous biomass in the dry season (Egea et al, 2014) and the higher CP content and lower tannin content in summer diets. Values of DD estimated during the wet season were similar to those reported by Egea et al (2016), who estimated the DD in cafeteria trials where Creole goats were fed ad libitum amounts of five of the main forage species that goats consume when grazing in the study area.…”

Section: Effect Of Season and Physiological State On Diet Botanicalmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Seasonal changes in feed intake, diet digestibility and diet composition by lactating and non‐lactating goats browsing in a semi‐arid rangeland of Argentina

Egea

Bakker

Allegretti

et al. 2018

Grass and Forage Science

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We determined the seasonal nutrient and secondary compound intake, in vivo diet digestibility (DD) and diet species composition of goats in different physiological states in a desert rangeland of Argentina. During the wet and the dry seasons, 24 mature female Creole goats (six non‐lactating, non‐pregnant and six lactating in each season) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Diet botanical composition, DD and dry‐matter intake (DMI) were estimated by the combined use of visual observation, microhistological analyses of faecal samples and n‐alkane technique. Browse species dominated the goats’ diets (>80%) in both seasons and physiological states, with a twofold increase in the proportion of forbs during the wet season (p < 0.10). Lactating goats showed greater DMI than non‐lactating animals, and they also displayed greater intakes of some tanniferous (Mimosa ephedroides) and high‐protein (Atriplex lampa) shrubs (p < 0.10). Lactating and non‐lactating goats selected diets with adequate crude protein (CP) and fibre content but insufficient energy, although lactating goats tended to increase energy and tannin content in their diets (p < 0.20). Physiological state did not influence DD, but digestibility was greater (p < 0.10) in the wet season, attributed to the greater protein content and lower tannin content of the diet. These results have important implications for managerial interventions on traditional goat production systems in the study area aiming at enhancing goat nutrition and welfare, as well as the sustainability of rangeland resources in the region.

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Section: Effect Of Season and Physiological State On Diet Botanicalsupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Effect Of Season and Physiological State On Diet Botanicalmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Seasonal changes in feed intake, diet digestibility and diet composition by lactating and non‐lactating goats browsing in a semi‐arid rangeland of Argentina

Egea

Bakker

Allegretti

et al. 2018

Grass and Forage Science

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“…As reported in this study, the findings of Manousidis et al [14] confirmed the inter-annual variability of diet composition. In the same way, other studies have stated the seasonality of diet composition, such as in the central Monte desert of Argentina [46] and Northern Mediterranean forest [47].…”

Section: Foraging Behavior Decisions Of Goatssupporting

confidence: 52%

Foraging Behavior of Goats Browsing in Southern Mediterranean Forest Rangeland

Otmani

Chentouf²,

Hornick

et al. 2020

Animals

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Mediterranean forest rangelands offer an important feed source for goats. Concerns about grazing strategies and management schemes in order to ensure the rangeland sustainability of Southern Mediterranean forest have revived interest in the foraging behavior of goats. This study was conducted to investigate the seasonal changes of feeding behavior of grazing goats in the Southern Mediterranean forest rangeland of Northern Morocco during two consecutive years beginning in 2016. The direct observation method was used to compare diet composition, intake rate, and diet selectivity of goats during three seasons (spring, summer, and fall). Bite mass of each plant species selected by goats was estimated using hand-plucked simulation. The optimal foraging theory was used as a tool to explain the goats foraging decisions. Bite mass range was extremely wide and varied seasonally. The goats’ diet was largely composed of Cistus spp., Lavandula stoechas, Quercus spp., and Myrtus communis. The result shows that the smaller the bite mass, the higher the biting rate, leading to increased short term intake rates. The selection of various plant species during fall and summer enlarged the diet diversity of goats. As expected, goats preferred trees and some shrubs despite their low availability. Consequently, the most available species is not necessarily the most positively selected. Particular high and positive selection of Quercus suber was observed over seasons. The outcomes confirm the high adaptability and ability of goats to select a woody species across seasons. Knowledge about forage availability and the feeding behavior of goats could be used as the first guide for rangeland managers to ensure herd and forest sustainability.

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“…It is worth mentioning that selection can be assessed under controlled cafeteria trials by using specific selection indexes and ensuring a constant supply of the feed resources [ 183 , 184 ]. An estimation of selectivity has been performed under natural [ 129 , 130 ] and controlled [ 185 , 186 , 187 ] conditions in the LDF and other ecosystems [ 105 , 106 , 186 , 187 ].…”

Section: Building An Interdisciplinary Approach To Identify Plantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Small Ruminant Production Based on Rangelands to Optimize Animal Nutrition and Health: Building an Interdisciplinary Approach to Evaluate Nutraceutical Plants

Torres-Fajardo

González-Pech

Sandoval-Castro

et al. 2020

Animals

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The plant kingdom can influence the productivity and health of herbivores at different levels. However, demonstrating this process in a scientific manner entails substantial endeavors from different disciplines. In the present review, we will describe the features of a native vegetation system traditionally used by small ruminants and use its particularities to build an interdisciplinary approach to evaluate the nutraceutical properties of plants. Initially, we will establish the context of the low deciduous forest (LDF), considering some botanical and nutritional aspects, as well as the presence of plant secondary compounds (PSC) and gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN). Furthermore, we will focus on coevolutionary aspects that undoubtedly shaped the plants–nutrients–PSC–GIN–herbivore relationship. In addition, the concept of nutraceutical will be discussed to provide clarity and aspects to be considered for their evaluation. Then, ethological, agronomical, nutritional, PSC, parasitological and animal species issues are deepened placing emphasis on methodological approaches. Special focus is given to condensed tannins, as they are the fourth largest group of PSCs and the most studied in livestock sciences. Validation of the nutraceutical properties of plants from native vegetation systems should be seen as a process derived from many scientific disciplines that feed into each other in a cyclic manner.

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Selective behavior of Creole goats in response to the functional heterogeneity of native forage species in the central Monte desert, Argentina

Cited by 34 publications

References 69 publications

Seasonal changes in feed intake, diet digestibility and diet composition by lactating and non‐lactating goats browsing in a semi‐arid rangeland of Argentina

Seasonal changes in feed intake, diet digestibility and diet composition by lactating and non‐lactating goats browsing in a semi‐arid rangeland of Argentina

Foraging Behavior of Goats Browsing in Southern Mediterranean Forest Rangeland

Small Ruminant Production Based on Rangelands to Optimize Animal Nutrition and Health: Building an Interdisciplinary Approach to Evaluate Nutraceutical Plants

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