PSIV-21 Landscape-use pattern and performance of small ruminants in woodlands with altering understory vegetation heights

Abstract

Abstract The vast coverage of woodlands (>60%) in Alabama and other Southeast states presents a great potential for increasing grazing opportunity for small ruminants. Canopy height and openness may influence the utilization of woodland vegetation by small ruminants. However, such information is least explored and reported. The study objectives were to 1) determine the browsing height and preference of small ruminants for woodland vegetation present at different heights and 2) evaluate animal performance while stocked in woodlands. Study plots (6; 0.4-ha each) comprised southern pines [longleaf (Pinus palustris Mill.) and loblolly (Pinus taeda L.)], hardwood trees, and numerous understory vegetation. The non-pine (non-target) species were either cut to one of the heights from the ground level (0-m, 0.91-m, 1.52-m) or left uncut (control). Kiko wethers (n = 8, 73±2.6 kg LW) and Katahdin rams (n = 5, 98±4.6 kg LW) were rotationally stocked (3 plots/species). Browsing height was measured at ten random points in each treatment and control, and animals’ preference for different plant species (0–5: 0-not preferred, 5-highly preferred) was recorded after moving animals out of each plot at each rotation. Animal performance data (LW; body condition score, BCS; and FAMACHA score) were collected fortnightly. Data were analyzed in SAS 9.4 (Mixed and GLM procedures). Goats browsed from higher heights than sheep in 0.9-m (1.3-m vs. 1-m) and 1.52-m (1.6-m vs. 1.1-m) treatments and control (1.3-m vs. 1-m) (P < 0.0001). Numerous plant species present in 0-m and 0.91-m treatments were consumed more by both species versus the same plant species present in the control (P < 0.0001). Both animal species performed well while grazing in woodlands, maintaining the desirable BCS (goats: 2.6–2.8; sheep: 3.7–4.0) and FAMACHA (goats: 1.6–2.1; sheep: 1.0–1.6) scores. Results show that lowering the height of non-target vegetation in woodlands is very useful to increase vegetation utilization and achieve desired animal performance.