8 pp. / Originally published: 1998 / Animal learning has been shown to play a major role in the development of diet selection by domestic herbivores. Dr. Frederick Provenza and his associates at Utah State University have conducted a series of studies over the past 30 years to learn how physiological and behavioral mechanisms govern diet selection. In this paper, we synthesize several key diet selection concepts presented in 4 articles (i.e., Provenza et al. 1992; Provenza 1995, 1996, 1997). Reviewed 12/2014; originally published 05/1998.

No description available.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / KC Olson / Our objective was to determine the effects of supplemental corn steep liquor (CSL) on voluntary selection of sericea lespedeza (SL) by beef cows grazing native tallgrass range. Dietary botanical composition of cows (n = 145; initial BW = 579 ± 91 kg) was evaluated during a 150-d grazing period (5/1 to 10/1). Native pastures (n = 9; 50 ± 17 ha) infested by SL (average SL biomass = 37% of total forage biomass) were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 treatments: grazing by unsupplemented cows or grazing by cows supplemented with CSL (1.79 kg DM • cow-1 • d-1; 45% DM, 34% CP). Cows were assigned randomly to treatment and pasture (stocking rate = 0.5 ha/AUM). Concentration and protein-binding capacity of condensed tannins (CT) in SL were measured monthly. Fecal samples were collected from each cow on 6/1, 7/1, 8/1, 9/1, and 10/1. Herbivory of SL was estimated along line transects in October. Plant fragments in fecal samples were quantified via a microhistological technique; fragment prevalence in fecal material was assumed to equal botanical composition of the diet. Concentration and protein-binding capacity of CT in SL were greatest (P < 0.01) on 8/1 and 9/1, respectively. The proportion of individual SL plants showing evidence of herbivory tended to be greater (P = 0.09) on pastures grazed by supplemented cows compared to pastures grazed by unsupplemented cows (94 vs. 80% of SL stems, respectively). Prevalence of SL in beef cow diets was influenced (P < 0.01) by CSL supplementation and by month. Prevalence of SL in beef cow diets was not different (P ≥ 0.35) between treatments when concentration and protein-binding capacity of CT were relatively low (6/1, 7/1, and 10/1). In contrast, supplemented cows selected more (P < 0.01) SL than unsupplemented cows when concentration and protein-binding capacity of CT were greatest (8/1 and 9/1). We interpreted these data to suggest that voluntary selection of SL by beef cows was inversely related to concentration of CT; moreover, supplemental CSL stimulated voluntary selection of SL during periods of high CT concentration. Supplemental CSL did not influence selection of other plant species that were monitored.

Magister Scientiae (Biodiversity and Conservation Biology) - MSc (Biodiv and Cons Biol) / Due to their popularity for tourism, giraffes are being introduced into Thicket areas within the Little Karoo region of the Western Cape. However, information regarding the activity budgets and diet selection of these giraffes is lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to achieve three objectives; to determine the diurnal activity budget, diet composition and browsing levels, and the estimated browsing capacities of extralimital giraffe. The study was conducted on two privately owned farms, namely Kareesbos Private Game Reserve and Tsumkwe Private Game Reserves. Observations were completed on both study sites using the interval scan method, whereby observations were conducted on all visible individuals from 6 am – 6 pm for four days every 3 months (winter, spring, summer and autumn). Observations found browsing to be the most dominant activity displayed by both populations, with walking and rumination being the second and third most dominant activity. Females browsed more than males in both study sites. Dietary observations showed four species (Pappea capensis, Portulacaria afra, Euclea undulata and Searsia longispina) and five species (Searsia longispina, Euclea undulata, Pappea capensis, Vachellia karroo and Grewia robusta) to comprise approximately 90% and 80% of their diet in Kareesbos and Tsumkwe respectively. The importance of flower bearing species (Lycium spp. and Rhigozhum obovatum) increased during the spring and summer seasons in both study sites. In addition to the diet selection, browsing by both giraffe populations was shown to occur mostly below 2 m. Estimated browsing capacities for Kareesbos and Tsumkwe were 25 and 21, and 107 and 88 ha per giraffe, respectively, for the respective browse height strata of less than two metres and five metres. It is suggested that browsing capacities of less than two metres be considered when stocking giraffe and the number of individuals adjusted accordingly on each farm, due to the continuous low browsing of giraffe at less than two metres. Furthermore, results indicate that these giraffes have adapted to take advantage of forage available in ecosystems outside their natural ranges. Low foraging heights suggests possible niche overlap with other browsers, which may result in increased competition for food when it becomes limited. Long term ecological monitoring of extralimital populations and appropriate management procedures are therefore required to avoid the displacement and degradation of indigenous fauna and flora within the Little Karoo, and possible mortalities amongst the giraffe populations.

Grazing trials were conducted in west-central Utah in August and November, 1983. Sheep were stocked in 0.06 hectare paddocks containing a homogeneous stand of the shrub big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata subsptridentata). Stocking rate was 1344 animal-unit-days per hectare. Close observation was made of plants and plant parts of the sagebrush that the sheep consumed or refused to consume. Similar samples were hand-harvested from browsed and rejected plants and plant parts. These samples were later analyzed in the laboratory for monoterpenoid content, crude protein levels and digestible organic matter. There was large variability of monoterpenoid concentrations from plant to plant ranging from 0.06% to 0.63% dry matter basis among the browsed plants and from 0.30% to 1.80% among the rejected . Sheep consumed those plants and plant parts that were relatively lower in monoterpenoid content. They did not select for the proximate constituents (crude protein and digestible organic matter) of the whole plant or plant parts. The rejected plants and plant parts were generally higher in bach monoterpenoids and proximate constituents than were the corresponding browsed plants and plant parts. Seasonal effects were important on the composition of entire diets selected by the free grazing sheep. From observation, sheep consumed more sagebrush in autumn than they did in summer. Samples collected from esophageally fistulated sheep showed crude protein content to be significantly (P = O.OS) higher in autumn than in summer. As sheep shifted the ir dietary select i on from annual grasses to big sagebrush , genera l ly upward trend in dietary crude protein was observed during both seasons . In vitro organic matter digestibilities (IVO MD ) were generally low due to the nature of plant parts consumed by the sheep, i.e., they consumed growth from the previous year. Feeding station intervals (FSI) , the time spent per feeding station, were measured . A feeding station is the amount of forage available to a grazing animal when its forefeet are stationary. As sheep shifted their dietary selection to sagebrush, FSI increased significantly. Apparently shrubs offered relatively larger amounts of forage to select from than herbaceous vegetation call ing for more time per feeding station.

This thesis investigated the role of carbohydrates in the dietary choices of ruminants with an emphasis on dairy cows. The first two experiments investigated the ability of sheep to select between feeds based on their carbohydrate degradability. A further two indoor experiments using dairy cows were designed to establish whether post-ingestive feedback from rumen fluid propionic acid concentration influenced preference. The final experiment examined the potential of ryegrass bred for high water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentrations to increase the long-term (9 days) preferences and intake of grazing dairy cows. / Constraints to intake imposed by offering sheep access to only one feed were overcome by offering a choice between two feeds simultaneously. Within each choice, sheep generally selected the more slowly degradable option. However, when overall NDF intake could be maintained at approximately 800g/day, the rapidly degraded feed was preferred. / Dairy cows were able to form associations between flavour and postingestive feedback from rumen propionic acid concentration. Although a dose-dependent response was not observed between the concentration of ruminal propionic acid infusion and preference intensity, there was a correlation between ruminal propionic acid concentration and energy status of the cow. In the subsequent experiment, the comparative effect of propionate supplied in the form of salt (instead of acid) on food preference was confounded by a flavour bias. / Diurnal WSC monitoring of perennial ryegrass cultivars bred in the U.K. for 'typical' and 'high' WSC concentrations, expressed similar concentrations at different times of the day and year when grown in northern Victoria. Consequently, in a test of preference between the cultivars, cows showed only slight preference that was not based on WSC concentration. In other choices between adjacent monocultures, cows selected a mixed diet of 62% white clover and 38% ryegrass. / It was concluded that the ideal diet from the animals' perspective is influenced by the rumen propionic acid concentration and the energy status of the animal. Further, an important priority for the ruminant is to maintain an adequate supply of structural carbohydrates to the rumen. Further work is needed to identify the benefits of feeding pasture with higher WSC, but this might be a difficult objective under Australian field conditions until plant material becomes available that more reliably expresses high WSC.

Foi objetivo do presente estudo avaliar o efeito do processamento do milho sobre o processo de seleção de dieta em bovinos através de um ensaio delineado em blocos casualizados, utilizando-se doze vacas Holandesas secas, não gestantes e portadoras de cânulas ruminais. O ensaio foi conduzido em dois períodos de 20 dias cada e contou com três tratamentos correspondentes aos diferentes tipos de processamentos do milho disponíveis para o animal manifestar suas preferências, sendo: A) cana-de-açúcar e milho moído grosso, B) cana-de-açúcar e milho moído fino e C) cana-de-açúcar e milho floculado. Uréia foi utilizada em todos os tratamentos junto com a cana-de-açúcar a fim de se fixar um nível de proteína bruta (10% PB) nas dietas experimentais para que a seleção de dieta dos animais para ingestão de energia não fosse influenciada pela proteína. A avaliação do processo de escolha foi feita através da comparação da composição química das dietas selecionadas pelos animais nos diferentes tratamentos e dos parâmetros do conteúdo ruminal de cada animal (pH, ácidos graxos voláteis e nitrogênio amoniacal) colhidos diariamente. Os animais do tratamento C ingeriram 45,08% e 42,08% menos concentrado, 24,52% e 22,58% menos matéria seca (MS) total, 29,83% e 27,59% menos nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) em kg, 9,29% e 8,62% menos NDT em porcentagem e 45,7% e 47,19% mais fibra em detergente neutro em porcentagem do que os animais dos tratamentos A e B, respectivamente. Já o consumo de MS degradável em kg e amido degradável em kg e em porcentagem não diferiu entre os tratamentos. Isto sugere que o processamento do milho influenciou a seleção de dieta, provavelmente pela energia disponível no grão e que os animais foram capazes de reconhecer diferenças na degradabilidade dos milhos que não são determinadas pelas análises bromatológicas comumente feitas. Quanto ao parâmetros ruminais, não foi possível observar diferenças entre o pH e a concentração de AGVs totais, acetato, butirato e N-NH3 no fluido ruminal dos animais estudados nos diferentes tratamentos. Estes achados podem estar seguindo a hipótese de alguns estudos que afirmam que os animais, através de escolhas não aleatórias de dietas, objetivam a manutenção de seu ambiente ruminal ótimo, corrigindo desbalanços e minimizando seu desconforto. Em contrapartida, os animais do tratamento C apresentaram 12,00% e 21,79% menor concentração de propionato em seu fluido ruminal do que os animais dos tratamentos A e B, respectivamente. Esta característica pode ter sido provocada pela menor disponibilidade de substrato para fermentação que por sua vez foi causada pela menor ingestão de milho floculado pelos animais do tratamento C. / The effect of corn, processed by three different ways, on ability of food selection by ruminants was studied in a randomized block design with 12 fistulated dry cows. The trial was conducted in two periods (8 animals/treatment) of 20 days each one. Treatments allowed selection of different processed corn grain by the animals: A) sugar cane and coarsely ground corn grain, B) sugar cane and finely ground corn grain, and C) sugar cane and steam-flaked corn grain. Urea was used with sugar cane in all treatments in the same proportion, ensuring 10% of crude protein in this ingredient. All ingredients had the same crude protein level (10%) to avoid nitrogen (N) influence over the selection process. The evaluation of selection process was done through comparison among chemical composition (total digestible nutrients, neutral-detergent fiber) of selected diet by the animals in different treatments and through cows’ ruminal patterns (pH, volatile fatty acids, ammonia N). Intake of corn by cows in C group was 45.08 and 42.08% lower than that ones in A and B groups, respectively. This causes 24.52 and 22.58% lower total dry matter intake (DMI), 29.83 and 27.59% lower TDN (kg) intake, 9.29 and 8.62 lower TDN (%) intake and 45.70 and 47.19% higher NDF intake by cows on C group than A and B, respectively. However, degradable dry matter intake (kg) and degradable starch (kg and %) did not differ among treatments. These data suggest that corn processing influenced diet selection process, probably due to different energy content and availability in processed grains used in this trial, and the animals were able to recognize differences among corn degradabilities, which are not determined by usual chemical analyses. Total VFAs, acetate and butirate concentration, pH and ammonia N did not differ among treatments, which indicates that animals do make wisely choices with the objective to keep an ideal ruminal environment. However, differences in propionate concentration and acetate: propionate ratio were observed, probably by lower intake of steam-flaked corn in C group.

Lack of forage quantity and quality limit livestock production during the dry season in northeast Brazil. Coppice produced following cutting of tree species in this area has the potential to increase forage quantity and quality during the dry season, because trees that coppice retain green foliage throughout most of the dry season. However, the palatability of coppice is often low. From a theoretical standpoint, woody plants with inherently slow growth rate should be less palatable to herbivores than plants with inherently fast growth rates, because plants that grow slowly allocate more carbon to compounds such as tannins and resins that reduce palatability. I tested this hypothesis with four tree species (Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia, Croton sonderianus, Auxemma oncocalyx, and Caesalpinia bracteosa) growing on both fertile (non-calcic brown) and infertile (lithic) soils. Inherent plant growth rates were determined by growing young plants of all species on both soil types in a greenhouse. Plants were fertilized with NPK (150 or 300 kg/ha) and watered to field capacity. Urea ((NH2)2CO),diammonium phosphate ( NH4)2 Po4 and KCL were used as sources of fertilizer. On fertile soils, Mimosa had the highest inherent growth rate, followed by Auxemma, Croton, and Caesalpinia. In pen and field trials, Mimosa was preferred by goats, followed by Auxemma, Croton, and Caesalpinia. Results were similar on infertile soils, but Croton had a higher growth rate than Auxemma, and Croton was preferred to Auxemma by goats . Fertilization with 150 or 300 kg/ha of NPK increased palatability of coppice of all plant species to goats on both fertile (non-calcic brown) and infertile (lithic) soils. Fertilization affected the chemical and physical characteristics of the four plant species. Concentrations of tannins and lignins decreased as did leaf toughness, while nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium increased. In vitro organic matter and neutral detergent fiber digestibilities did not change. The prediction that fertilized plants would be lower in carbon based compounds than the unfertilized plants was supported by the results of my study.

[Truncated abstract] With the rapid development of multiple herbicide resistant weeds in crops, it is likely that an important role now exists for new grazing management strategies in farming systems to provide an integrated approach to weed management. In this thesis we examined the general hypothesis that sowing a legume of low preference by sheep relative to the target weeds of crops would improve the control of those weeds in a grazed pasture. To test this general hypothesis, legumes of low preference by Merino sheep were identified and a series of experiments conducted to determine the effect on pasture composition when these less preferred legumes were incorporated into a grazed pasture. We found a learned response that altered forage preference by sheep was important in determining the effectiveness of grazing to reduce seed set by weeds of crops. Investigations on this aspect of the grazing behaviour of sheep were a key part of this thesis. The short-term relative preference of Merino hoggets among 15 pasture legumes, 4 grain legumes and annual ryegrass was determined by offering adjacent monocultures of each of the forage genotypes to the sheep. The relative preference of the hoggets for each of the 20 forages was determined at three phases of plant growth from estimates of the amount of forage consumed. Sheep showed a low selective preference for Vetch (Vicia sativa L.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), biserrula (Biserrula pelecinus L.), lotus (Lotus ornithopodioides L.) and snail medic (Medicago scutellata L.) cvs. Kelson and Sava at the vegetative phase of plant growth. An indoor method was also developed to test the relative preference of sheep among forages growing in pots. Using this method chickpea and snail medic, but not biserrula, were found to have a low relative preference by sheep at the vegetative phase.

Foi objetivo do presente estudo avaliar o efeito do processamento do milho sobre o processo de seleção de dieta em bovinos através de um ensaio delineado em blocos casualizados, utilizando-se doze vacas Holandesas secas, não gestantes e portadoras de cânulas ruminais. O ensaio foi conduzido em dois períodos de 20 dias cada e contou com três tratamentos correspondentes aos diferentes tipos de processamentos do milho disponíveis para o animal manifestar suas preferências, sendo: A) cana-de-açúcar e milho moído grosso, B) cana-de-açúcar e milho moído fino e C) cana-de-açúcar e milho floculado. Uréia foi utilizada em todos os tratamentos junto com a cana-de-açúcar a fim de se fixar um nível de proteína bruta (10% PB) nas dietas experimentais para que a seleção de dieta dos animais para ingestão de energia não fosse influenciada pela proteína. A avaliação do processo de escolha foi feita através da comparação da composição química das dietas selecionadas pelos animais nos diferentes tratamentos e dos parâmetros do conteúdo ruminal de cada animal (pH, ácidos graxos voláteis e nitrogênio amoniacal) colhidos diariamente. Os animais do tratamento C ingeriram 45,08% e 42,08% menos concentrado, 24,52% e 22,58% menos matéria seca (MS) total, 29,83% e 27,59% menos nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) em kg, 9,29% e 8,62% menos NDT em porcentagem e 45,7% e 47,19% mais fibra em detergente neutro em porcentagem do que os animais dos tratamentos A e B, respectivamente. Já o consumo de MS degradável em kg e amido degradável em kg e em porcentagem não diferiu entre os tratamentos. Isto sugere que o processamento do milho influenciou a seleção de dieta, provavelmente pela energia disponível no grão e que os animais foram capazes de reconhecer diferenças na degradabilidade dos milhos que não são determinadas pelas análises bromatológicas comumente feitas. Quanto ao parâmetros ruminais, não foi possível observar diferenças entre o pH e a concentração de AGVs totais, acetato, butirato e N-NH3 no fluido ruminal dos animais estudados nos diferentes tratamentos. Estes achados podem estar seguindo a hipótese de alguns estudos que afirmam que os animais, através de escolhas não aleatórias de dietas, objetivam a manutenção de seu ambiente ruminal ótimo, corrigindo desbalanços e minimizando seu desconforto. Em contrapartida, os animais do tratamento C apresentaram 12,00% e 21,79% menor concentração de propionato em seu fluido ruminal do que os animais dos tratamentos A e B, respectivamente. Esta característica pode ter sido provocada pela menor disponibilidade de substrato para fermentação que por sua vez foi causada pela menor ingestão de milho floculado pelos animais do tratamento C. / The effect of corn, processed by three different ways, on ability of food selection by ruminants was studied in a randomized block design with 12 fistulated dry cows. The trial was conducted in two periods (8 animals/treatment) of 20 days each one. Treatments allowed selection of different processed corn grain by the animals: A) sugar cane and coarsely ground corn grain, B) sugar cane and finely ground corn grain, and C) sugar cane and steam-flaked corn grain. Urea was used with sugar cane in all treatments in the same proportion, ensuring 10% of crude protein in this ingredient. All ingredients had the same crude protein level (10%) to avoid nitrogen (N) influence over the selection process. The evaluation of selection process was done through comparison among chemical composition (total digestible nutrients, neutral-detergent fiber) of selected diet by the animals in different treatments and through cows’ ruminal patterns (pH, volatile fatty acids, ammonia N). Intake of corn by cows in C group was 45.08 and 42.08% lower than that ones in A and B groups, respectively. This causes 24.52 and 22.58% lower total dry matter intake (DMI), 29.83 and 27.59% lower TDN (kg) intake, 9.29 and 8.62 lower TDN (%) intake and 45.70 and 47.19% higher NDF intake by cows on C group than A and B, respectively. However, degradable dry matter intake (kg) and degradable starch (kg and %) did not differ among treatments. These data suggest that corn processing influenced diet selection process, probably due to different energy content and availability in processed grains used in this trial, and the animals were able to recognize differences among corn degradabilities, which are not determined by usual chemical analyses. Total VFAs, acetate and butirate concentration, pH and ammonia N did not differ among treatments, which indicates that animals do make wisely choices with the objective to keep an ideal ruminal environment. However, differences in propionate concentration and acetate: propionate ratio were observed, probably by lower intake of steam-flaked corn in C group.