Abstract
AbstractLiveweight change (LWC) of cattle grazing a young Chamaecyparis obtusa (an evergreen conifer) plantation in southwestern Japan was investigated in relation to forage supply and diet selection by animals. While the animals ate 29–53 species or species groups (mean = 42; six herbaceous species or groups, 12 lianas, 23 shrubs and trees, one fern group) during a morning feeding bout, most bites (71–97%, mean = 85) were taken from 10 species or species groups, with Miscanthus sinensis as the most selected plant (27–74%, mean = 55). Reflecting this and the low defoliation‐tolerance of the grass, live leaf mass of M. sinensis decreased drastically with time under grazing. Daily LWC of animals increased with increasing live leaf mass of M. sinensis to 45 kg dry matter (DM) ha−1, and thereafter increased with increasing percentage bite count of three non‐herbaceous species, Ficus erecta (tree), Broussonetia kaempferi (liana) and Mallotus japonicus (tree), with F. erecta being the most contributing species. The results highlight the importance of grasses (mainly M. sinensis) as the basal (major) diet and the importance of some non‐herbaceous species (mainly F. erecta, B. kaempferi and M. japonicus) as the quality supplement in cattle foraging in the forest environment. The results also show that adjusting stocking rates to maintain live leaf mass of M. sinensis closely above the critical level (45 kg DM ha−1) is a criterion in the management of this forest grazing system, in terms of meeting the requirements of forest manager (effective control of herbaceous and woody weeds) and livestock producer (satisfactory level of animal performance).
Published Version
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