Abstract
Diet composition, forage preference and diet overlap among of goats, sheep and cattle grazing on communal rangeland in the Central District of Botswana were evaluated to determine the potential for forage competition to provide better ideas for managing these rangelands. Diets and forage preference were determined through microhistological faecal analysis. Animal faeces and reference plant material of the study area were collected, ground to fine particles and prepared into slides of which histological features of each animal species were studied under the microscope. Features on the faecal sample slides were matched with those in the reference plant material. Estimates of forage biomass and quality were estimated along transects and species composition was determined using a wheel-point apparatus. Season was a major factor affecting herbage biomass and quality. Forage quality decreased from wet to dry season with greater decreases in grass than browse. The content of nitrogen was higher in browse than in herbage in both seasons, and the seasonal decline in browse was less than in herbage. Cattle and sheep diets constituted mostly grasses, but cattle do browse as well during the dry periods. Goats selectively concentrate on browse all the year-long and were more diverse in their diet composition than either cattle or sheep, giving the former better chances of standing harsh conditions. Preferred plant species were not the necessarily the most common on the range. Therefore, monitoring productivity and use of key forage species, particularly of grasses, should complement management objectives.Diets overlaps were generally high during dry seasons, reflected seasonal influence as animals shift diets focus, when the potentials of forage selections are restricted to limited species diversity and availability. The results suggest potential for forage competition between cattle and sheep is highest during dry seasons for grasses. Key words: Browse, forage availability, species diversity, diet overlap, forage species selection, forage species preference. 
Highlights
Research on the pattern of diet selection requires an understanding of the forage and nutritional needs ofAfr
The results suggest potential for forage competition between cattle and sheep is highest during dry seasons for grasses
Browse constituted a necessary and adequate supplement to herbage during the dry seasons, as dry season grasses are extremely deficient in most nutrients needed to meet livestock maintenance
Summary
Research on the pattern of diet selection requires an understanding of the forage and nutritional needs ofAfr. Two forms of selective grazing, namely species selective grazing and area selective grazing were identified (Bailey, 1995; Soder et al, 2009; Masahiko et al, 2008). The causes for differences in palatability among both grasses and other life forms are as yet not clearly understood in spite of the fact that numerous attempts had been made in the past to relate preference differences to a number of factors such as forage quality (Bailey, 1995; Van Dyne and Heady, 1965; O’Reagain and Mentis, 1989; Soder et al, 2009), frequency of grazing and forage available in the range (Gammon and Roberts, 1978; Darlene et al, 2005; Kilonzo et al, 2005)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
