Abstract
The two temperate forage legumes containing condensed tannins (CT) that promote ruminant production are birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.; BFT) and sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.; SF). Both are well-adapted to the cool-temperate climate and alkaline soils of the Mountain West USA. Condensed tannins comprise a diverse family of bioactive chemicals with multiple beneficial functions for ruminants, including suppression of internal parasites and enteric methane. Birdsfoot trefoil contains 10 to 40 g·CT·kg−1 dry matter (DM), while SF contains 30 to 80 g·CT·kg−1 DM. Our studies have focused on these two plant species and have demonstrated consistently elevated rates of gain for beef calves grazing both BFT and SF. Novel results from our BFT research include carcass dressing percentages and consumer sensory evaluations equivalent to feedlot-finished steers and significantly greater than grass-finished steers, but with omega-3 fatty acid concentrations equal to grass-finished beef. We have further demonstrated that ruminants fed BFT or SF will consume more endophyte-infected tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.) forage or seed than ruminants fed a non-CT forage legume. There is great potential value for sustainable livestock production in the use of highly digestible, nitrogen-fixing legumes containing tannins demonstrated to improve ruminant productivity.
Highlights
Structural Diversity and Function of Condensed Tannins: Condensed tannins (CT) are a heterogeneous family of highly-reactive, carbon-based secondary compounds of high molecular weight [1] that bind to proteins with great affinity [2,3], precipitating them from solution [4]
Condensed tannins are a family of plant secondary compounds with diverse structures and multiple impacts on herbivores that can range from detrimental to beneficial
The temperate forage legumes birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) and SF have CT concentrations ranging from 10 g·kg−1 to 80 g·kg−1 and protein concentrations ranging from 12 g·kg−1 to 25 g·kg−1
Summary
Structural Diversity and Function of Condensed Tannins: Condensed tannins (CT) are a heterogeneous family of highly-reactive, carbon-based secondary compounds of high molecular weight [1] that bind to proteins with great affinity [2,3], precipitating them from solution [4]. These biomolecules, known as polyphenolics or proanthocyanidins, cause responses in herbivores that vary with the diversity of their chemical structures [5,6]. Both birdsfoot trefoil (BFT; Lotus corniculatus L.) and SF perform well under irrigation in the high pH soils and cool-temperate climate of the Mountain West USA, and both are beneficial for ruminant productivity [4,18]
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