Forage quality and animal selection of Arachis pintoi in association with tropical grasses in the eastern plains of Colombia

Abstract

AbstractA small plot grazing trial was conducted in the Eastern Plains of Colombia to assess seasonal forage quality and selection by oesophageal‐fistulated steers of Arachis pintoi associated with four Brachiaria species. Quality of the legume was high in terms of leaf crude protein (CP) (17%) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) (62%) but varied with season of the year. Associated grasses bad high average leaf CP levels in the dry (7.8%) and wet (98%) seasons. The legume content in the forage on offer was high and varied, from 28% in the dry season to 58% in the wet season. Corresponding values m the diet selected were 37%. and 60%, indicating that animals selected legume in a slightly higher proportion than was present in the total forage on offer. This was further confirmed by selection indices greater than 0–5 in three of the four associations and by a selection index of 0–56 when pooling the data for the four pastures. Increased grass quality and high legume selection resulted in a high quality diet in the dry (CP 9 7%; IVDMD 61 %) and wet (CP 156%; IVDMD 62%) seasons. The results indicated that A. pintoi is a high quality legume, well accepted by grazing cattle throughout the year in the savannas.