Forage shrubs in North Island hill country 2. Sheep and goat preferences

Abstract

Abstract A range of shrubs was evaluated as potential sources of forage for grazing animals. Shrubs were established in rows in hill pastures near Woodville. Nine “true” shrubs, and two erect grasses, pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) and toetoe (C. fulvida) were evaluated. The true shrubs were: Chamaecytisus palmensis, tagasaste; Medicago arborea, tree medic; Ulex europaeus, gorse (two variants: wildgorse and short-spinedgorse); Cytisus scoparius, broom; Robinia pseudoacacia, black locust; Leptospermum scoparium, manuka; Cassinia leptophylla, tauhinu; and Ceanothus griseus, ceanothus. Harvested forages were fed to individually housed sheep and goats. Pairs of forages were offered to animals for 6–10 min, and consumption over that period was used to calculate relative preferences. Preference of sheep for broom, pampas, and pasture was greater than preference of goats for these species. Conversely, goats preferred short-spined gorse, manuka, and ceanothus in comparison with sheep. In general, hay, gorse, ...