Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons^™

Dry Season Feeding Strategies And Winter Forage Production By Communal Area Sheep Farmers Of The Eastern Cape Province In South Africa, B. Moyo, K. E. Ravhuhali

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Experimental research into the possibility of employing winter forages as a low-cost, high-quality winter supplement has produced promising outcomes. The extent, challenges, and mitigation strategies of communal farmers involved in winter fodder production in the Eastern Cape are unknown. This study examines farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of winter fodder production, its difficulties, and perceived advantages for communal sheep farmers. The study was carried out in the Swartwater communal area of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Thirty-two sheep farmers who cultivate winter forage were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Using SPSS 17, descriptive statistics were produced for the …

Harvesting Site Influenced The Concentration Level Of Nitrogen And Mineral Status Of Woody Species In Semi-Arid Areas Of South Africa, K. E. Ravhuhali, H. S. Mudau, H. K. Mokoboki, B. Moyo, L. E. Motsei

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Feed shortages in semi-arid areas cause a major set-back for livestock production. An understanding of the nutritive value of woody species in most parts of savanna regions can be vital to predicting what these species can offer for livestock productivity. The study assessed the variation in nitrogen and mineral concentration of leaves of woody species as influenced by harvesting site in South Africa. The study sites were communal areas in Limpopo and North West provinces. A total of 52 browse species were selected and used for this study. All statistical tests showed that there was a significant effect of species …

Winter Herbage Mass Accumulation And Animals Grazing Days Of Set Stocking Or Cell Grazing Dairy X Beef Systems In Southwest England, M. J. Rivero, Sarah Morgan, Maite Fajardo, G. Irisarri, P. Chilibroste

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Cell grazing (CG) has shown to increase the production per hectare by allowing higher stocking rates, greater grass production and higher herbage utilisation throughout the grazing season compared to set stocking (SS). Our objective was to compare the herbage growth rate during winter resting (WHGR, October/November to April) and the animals grazing days per ha (AGD-ha) of CG and SS systems grazed by dairy x beef steers. Three 1.75ha (1.5ha in 2018) plots and three 1.0ha were used for the SS and CG, respectively. Forty-two and 48 autumn born dairy x beef steer calves were split into six equal groups …

Operational Model Of The Alliance For Grassland Renewal, C. A. Roberts, J. G. Andrae

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Novel endophyte tall fescue was developed over 20 years ago, and novel endophyte cultivars are among the most innovative cultivars developed in recent decades. Yet adoption of novel endophyte technology is slow. In order to expedite adoption, a diverse group of stakeholders self assembled as the Alliance for Grassland Renewal, a nonprofit organization that includes colleagues from the sectors of industry, university, government, and production. Since 2012, the Alliance has held workshops for producers, educators, and industry across the southeastern US, where tall fescue is the predominant pasture grass. Also since 2012, the Alliance has monitored and reported endophyte purity …

Economic Value Of Improving Feed Efficiency Of Beef Cows On Pasture, J. T. Biermacher, J. K. Rogers, D. Lalman, A. Holder, R. S. Walker

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Dry matter intake of beef cows is based on a percentage of body weight, so as mature cow size increases, intake increases. Feed efficiency, or the amount of feed required to produce gain or maintain production, has a direct impact to the producer. That is, as mature cow weight increases, yearly maintenance costs increases due to higher feed costs. However, variation in feed efficiency exists within population. Some large cows consume the same or less dry matter as a smaller cow, but produce a larger calf. Conversly, some smaller cows consume the same or more as a large cow but …

Effects Of Concentrate Supplementation During Summer On Animal Performance And Heat Stress Of Angus Steers Grazing Native Grasslands In Uruguay, P. Rovira, P. Lorenzo

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Research in temperate grasslands has addressed livestock supplementation (SUPL) mainly during winter, but more studies are needed on the impact of SUPL during summer where heat stress (HS) conditions may occur. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of summer SUPL on average daily gain (ADG), respiratory rate (RR), and body temperature (BT) of steers grazing native grasslands (60% TDN, 7.3% CP) in Uruguay (33°14'S, 54°15'W). Eighteen 15-month-old Angus steers (285±11 kg) were randomly assigned to 6 groups (2 treatments x 3 replicates) with free access to shade and water on a continuous stocking system (1.5 steer/ha) …

Bale Grazing To Improve Soil Fertility In Kentucky Pastures, N. Roy, J. W. Lehmkuhler

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A long-term project on a small Kentucky beef farm has demonstrated that bale grazing is an effective means of improving soil fertility. With the cooperation of a beef cattle producer, Extension personnel have been able to measure improvements in soil fertility using both high density and moderate density bale grazing practices. Initial efforts demonstrate that high density bale grazing improved soil fertility quickly by increasing soil test phosphorus from 15 to 45 ppm and potassium from 52 to 175 ppm on Melich III soil test extraction method. High density bale grazing was also shown to serve as a strategy to …

The Effects Of Grazing Cover Crops On Animal Performance And Soybean Production, J. Brett Rushing, Rocky Lemus, J. G. Maples, J. C. Lyles

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Grazing cover crops has the potential to offset costs incurred with cover crop establishment, thus incentivizing management adoption. Information regarding cover crop species in combination with grazing and their subsequent effects on soybean production is limited. A field trial was conducted in Newton, MS from 2019 to 2021 to assess these effects. Cover crop treatments included oats (O), O + crimson clover (OC), and OC + radish (OCR) were applied in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Cover crops differed in nutritive analysis; O had significantly lower mean CP, but greater total daily nutrients (TDN). Weaned beef steers …

Forage Cactus In Different Cropping Systems In The Semi-Arid Region Of Brazil, M. V. F. Santos, D. B. Nascimento, M. V. Cunha, A. C. L. Mello, V. J. Silva, W. P. S. Diniz, A. L. R. Magalhães, T. N. E. Amaral

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Forage cactus is a Cactaceae grown in the Semiarid region of Brazil and other regions of the world, representing vital forage support. Using legumes in consortium with forage cactus can be an alternative in the region to increase the supply of nitrogen (N) in the soil and improve the quality of the animal diet. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the yield of the different production systems with ‘Míuda’ Cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck) and Mexican Elephant Ear [Opuntia Sricta (Haw.) Haw] in consortium with the ‘Cunhã’ legumes [Clitoria ternatea (L.)] and ‘Jureminha’ [Demanthus pernambucanus …

Spring Triticale Forage Yield And Nutritive Value As Affected By Location And Maturity In Wisconsin, Y. Newman, K. Jarek, P. Holman, M. Akins, E. Schreifer, R. Zogbaum

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Spring triticale (X Triticosecale Wittm.) has a nutritional value that is like other spring cereal grain forages and presents a wide range in value and potential for ruminant feed (Emile et al. 2007). As varieties are improved, they may compete with oats as a spring forage source. A multi-location evaluation was conducted during 2021 in Wisconsin (Spooner, Marshfield and Lancaster) to evaluate spring triticale varieties harvested at two maturities (boot and mature stage) for yield and nutritive value. Treatments included six spring triticale varieties (AR-1, AR-2, AR-3, AR-4 and a local oat (WI-O) and triticale (WI-T) variety. Response variables measured …

The Milk Quality Of Dairy Cows As Influenced By Months And Grassland Regions In The Tropical Country, T. T. Nguyen, T. N. T. Phan

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of the study was to evaluate the milk yield and quality of dairy cows across periods of year and grassland regions in the tropical country, Vietnam. The milk data were collected from October 2021 to March 2022 at three farms (Farm one in Gialai Province, Farm two and three in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam). Each Farm used the different software to manage the milk yield and quality, including SCR DataFlow II, Afifarm, and Epacific management software. The milk properties of freezing point (FP), total solid (TS), fatness, solids-not-fat (SNF), protein, and lactose were analyzed in lab. The …

Design And Management Of Saltbush-Based Forage Systems To Improve Productivity And Reproductive Performance Of Sheep, H. C. Norman, M. G. Wilmot, D. G. Masters, D. Blache, S. K. Maloney, S. N. Hancock

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

There is evidence that effective shelter can significantly improve lamb survival, but the majority of Australian studies have occurred in small paddocks where the ewes had no choice but to use shelter. In mixed farming systems with large open paddocks, it is unclear if ewes will choose to use shelter for lambing. Our multidisciplinary collaboration examines the use of woody shrubs as an opportunity to improve the survival of twin lambs. In a series of large experiments on commercial farms, we will evaluate the impact of different shrub planting configurations, orientations, and densities on microclimates at the sub-paddock scale. Twin-bearing …

Environmental Co-Benefits Of Improved Forages In Smallholder Dairy Systems Of Kenya, A. Notenbaert, S. Mwendia, S. Burkart, P. Karimi, E. Mwema

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Livestock play a major role across Kenya, especially in smallholder mixed farms through provision of household nutrition and income through milk and meat. Equally, fertilization of cropland benefits from livestock manure, and livestock often act as insurance and saving. Despite the opportunities and benefits livestock production presents, livestock systems are also key drivers of environmental degradation, including increased nutrient loads, GHG emissions, water use, grassland degradation and land-use conversion. Low livestock productivity, largely due to use of low-quality crop residues and natural grasses often not endowed with nutrients key for animal performance, limits the potential positive contributions of livestock and …

Analysis Of Foraging Behavior Of Cattle Using A Wearable Camera Under Diverse Vegetation, S. Ogura, R. Futahashi, Masato Yayota, T. Shishido

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Although it is important to estimate the ingested plant species and the amount of forage intake by grazing animals, recording these items at the 1-bite scale has been difficult under diverse vegetation. Recent research confirmed that a small and inexpensive wearable camera is useful to determine ingested plant species and their proportion in total bites with high accuracy. In this study, we attempted to generate bite codes for cattle under diverse vegetation using wearable cameras. We used two cows which had a grazing experience in the previous year (GE) and the other two which had no grazing experience (NE). They …

Performance Of Finishing Nellore Beef Steers In Intensively Managed Pastures And Silvopastoral Systems In Southeast Of Brazil, P. P. A. Oliveira, Neto R. Pasquini, G. S. Pádua, L. H. C. Junior, R. Vechi, A. J. Furtado, G. V. Silva, A. A. Lobo, A. L. Abdalla-Filho, A. F. Pedroso, P. H. M. Rodrigues

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study evaluated the average daily weight gain (ADG), stocking rates, and live weight gain per hectare (LWG) in different intensified animal production systems. The experiment was carried out from September 2020 to September 2021 at Embrapa Southeast Livestock, São Carlos, SP, Brazil. Thirty Nellore steers (285±21 kg of live weight and 12±13 months old) were randomly distributed into five treatments, with two replicates: 1) intensively managed and irrigated Megathyrsus maximus cv. Tanzânia pasture overseeded in the dry season with Avena byzantina and Lolium multiflorum (IHS); 2) intensively managed rainfed M. maximus cv. Tanzânia pasture (RHS); 3) intensively managed rainfed …

Agricultural Performance Of Diverse Pastures Of Complementary Species And Monoculture Pastures Defoliated According To The Leaf Regrowth Stage Window Of Opportunity Criterion, B. A. Oliviera, I. F. López, L. M. Cranston, D. J. Donaghy, P. D. Kemp, J. Dörner

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In a diverse pasture of complementary species (DPCS), individual species fulfil agro-ecological functions that confer growth asynchrony and complementarity of ecosystem functions. These attributes provide yield consistency with a more even forage supply pattern across the year compared to monocultures. A common leaf regrowth stage window opportunity (LSWO) for the diverse species enables pasture defoliation that stimulates growth and persistence. The study assessed seasonal and annual growth traits of Lolium perenne (Lp), Bromus valdivianus (Bv) and Dactylis glomerata (Dg) as single grass species (Mono) sown with Trifolium repens (Tr) and as DPCS with the four species (Lp+Bv+Dg+Tr=Mix). The defoliation criteria …

Forage Intake Of Nellore Steers Grazing A Cajanus CajanLegume-Grass Intercropped Pasture, P. P. A. Oliviera, A. J. Furtado, J. F. Bruno, Neto R. Pasquini, G. V. Da Silva, A. A. Lobo, A. L. Abdalla-Filho, F. Perna Junior, T. C. Alves, S. R. Medeiros, A. F. Pedroso, P. H. M. Rodrigues

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study evaluated forage, supplement, and total (forage + supplement) dry matter intake (DMI, expressed as kg/day and as percentage of average live weight, %ALW) of Nellore steers in different production systems, including a Cajanus cajan (Pigeon pea) legume-grass intercropped pasture by using external (titanium dioxide, TiO2) and internal (indigestible neutral detergent fiber, iNDF) markers. The experiment was carried out at Embrapa Southeast Livestock, São Carlos, SP, Brazil, in the rainy (January) and dry (July) seasons of 2021. Eighteen animals Nellore steers were randomly distributed into three treatments with three replications (1.5 ha paddocks each): 1) degraded pasture of Urochloa …

Theobroma Cacao Pod Silage Diets; Effect On Mineral And Anti-Nutrients Utilization By Goats, O. B. Omotoso, Adebowale N. Fajemisin, J. A. Alokan

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A 63-day study was conducted to evaluate the mineral and anti-nutrients utilization and weight gain by west African dwarf goats fed Theobroma cacao pod silage diets. Cocoa pod husk used was collected, crushed to 2 cm particle size, divided into 4 equal portions, and ensiled differently with synthetic and non-synthetic fertilizer for 28 days under anaerobic conditions to increase the nutrients. Thereafter the ensiled products were dried and incorporated with other convectional feed ingredients at fixed amount to make four diets to feed twenty-four goats (six goats per treatment). Nutrient, mineral and anti-nutrient composition were assayed; sex effect on intake …

Livestock Production And Economic Implications From Augmenting Degraded Rangeland With Atriplex Halimus And Salsola Vermiculata In Northwest Syria, A. E. Osman, F. Bahhadi, N. Hassan, F. Ghassali, T. Al Ibrahim

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Three stocking rates (low: one sheep 2.25 ha-1, medium: one sheep 1.5 ha-1 year-1 and high: one sheep 0.75 ha-1 year-1) were studied for 7 seasons (1990/91-1996/97) on native range and on pasture over sown with fodder shrubs at Maragha, northwest Syria. There were 8 Awassi sheep in each stocking rate treatment, and the treatments were replicated 3 times in fenced paddocks. Milk yield, lamb production, live weight and supplementary feeding of the sheep were monitored. The results showed significantly higher forage availability on the range over-sown with fodder shrubs by 82% and 41% in the medium and high rainfall …

Feeds And Forages Intervention Strategies For Improved Livestock Nutrition And Productivity In The Northwest Highlands Of Vietnam, M. Atieno, T. B. N. Trần, V. T. Bùi, T. T. Mai, A. Duncan, S. Douxchamps, M. Peters

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Livestock production in Vietnam is critical for livelihoods particularly for ethnic minorities in the Northwest Highlands (NWH). Improved livestock management and productivity can be achieved through better feed management and increased cultivation of improved forages, to meet animal nutrition demand. This study aimed at assessing feed intervention strategies to address context-specific feed-related challenges, mainly winter feed shortage in Mai Son district, Son La province, Vietnam. Feed interventions included promotion of improved forages (grasses and legumes) and capacity building on animal nutrition techniques including feed preservation, feed mix and feeding regimes for cattle and pigs. Willing farmers selected from a list …

U.S. Cereal Rye Winter Cover Crop Growth Database, Alexandra M. Huddell, Resham Thapa, Guillermo S. Marcillo, Lori J. Abendroth, Victoria J. Ackroyd, Shalamar D. Armstrong, Gautam Asmita, Muthukumar V. Bagavathiannan, Kipling S. Balkcom, Andrea Basche, Shawn Beam, Kevin Bradley, Lucas Pecci Canisares, Heather Darby, Adam S. Davis, Pratap Devkota, Warren A. Dick, Jeffery A. Evans, Wesley J. Everman, Tauana Ferreira De A Lmeida, Michael L. Flessner, Lisa M. Fultz, Stefan Gailans, Masoud Hashemi, Joseph Haymaker, Matthew J. Helmers, Nicholas Jordan, Thomas C. Kaspar, Quirine M. Ketterings, Eileen Kladivko, Alexandra Kravchenko, Eugene P. Law, Lauren Lazaro, Ramon G. Leon, Jeffrey Liebert, John Lindquist, Kristen Loria, Jodie M. Mcvane, Jarrod O. Miller, Michael J. Mulvaney, Nsalambi V. Nkongolo, Jason K. Norsworthy, Binaya Parajuli, Christopher Pelzer, Cara Peterson, Hanna Poffenbarger, Pratima Poudel, Mark S. Reiter, Matt Ruark, Matthew R. Ryan, Spencer Samuelson, John E. Sawyer, Sarah Seehaver, Lovreet S. Shergill, Yogendra Raj Upadhyaya, Mark Vangessel, Ashley L. Waggoner, John M. Wallace, Samantha Wells, Charles White, Bethany Wolters, Alex Woodley, Rongzhong Ye, Eric Youngerman, Brian A. Needelman, Steven B. Mirsky

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Winter cover crop performance metrics (i.e., vegetative biomass quantity and quality) affect ecosystem services provisions, but they vary widely due to differences in agronomic practices, soil properties, and climate. Cereal rye (Secale cereale) is the most common winter cover crop in the United States due to its winter hardiness, low seed cost, and high biomass production. We compiled data on cereal rye winter cover crop performance metrics, agronomic practices, and soil properties across the eastern half of the United States. The dataset includes a total of 5,695 cereal rye biomass observations across 208 site-years between 2001–2022 and encompasses …

Physiological Impact Of Ergot Alkaloid Consumption In Ruminant Livestock, J. L. Klotz, S. K. Duckett, D. L. Harmon

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Ergot alkaloids in feeds and forages are a worldwide concern. Consumption of ergot alkaloids by ruminant livestock can range from extreme cases that threaten the life of the animal to more frequent and chronic outcomes where livestock productivity is decreased. Consumption of ergot alkaloids alters ruminant physiology such that it outwardly manifests in lower animal intake and gain, decreased reproductive efficiency, and a compromised circulatory system. This talk will cover current research that is improving our understanding of how ergot alkaloids alter cell and tissue physiology that results in the compromised growth and reproduction observed at the whole animal level.

Biodiverse Forage Mixtures For Bees And Beef Cattle, J. O. C. Kubesch, S. P. Greiner, G. J. Pent, J. L. Reid, B. F. Tracey

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Introduction: Beef cattle performance in the southeastern US is limited by tall fescue (TF) toxicosis. Native warm season grasses (NWSGs) can provide alternative forage for cattle and reduce TF toxicosis. Pollinator populations, especially bees, also have been declining across North America. Introducing native wildflowers into tall fescue grasslands might improve pollinator populations. An ongoing grazing experiment in central Virginia USA is testing the feasibility of integrating wildflowers and native grasses as a way to generate ecosystem services.

Objectives: This study sought to determine whether including native grasses and wildflowers in tall fescue pasture systems could improve beef heifer performance.

Methods: …

Winter Performance Of North American Bos Grunniens Offered Hay Harvested From Different Forage Species, Jeff Lehmkuhler, G. Dike, M. Mccarty

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Bos grunniens or the domesticated yak was brought to North America in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. In Asia, yaks have been observed to lose 25% or more of their body weight over the winter in the high mountain altitudes. Little research has been conducted with the domesticated yak and their nutritional needs. Maintaining positive weight change during the winter is expected to improve the profitability and viability of yak production systems in North America. An on-farm study was conducted near Wellington, KY, USA to investigate the winter performance of yaks and hay type. Four outdoor grass lots approximate …

An Example Of An Outreach Program For Horse Pasture Management And Education, Krista L. Lea, S. Ray Smith

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Kentucky boasts over 30,000 horse farms that house over 200,000 horses. The University of Kentucky Horse Pasture Evaluation Program began in 2005 to assist horse owners and managers in improving pasture quality and quantity. This program collects detailed botanical composition and tall fescue analysis to provide horse owners and managers with a comprehensive picture of pasture composition and field by field recommendations on management practices that will improve each pasture. Samples of tall fescue are also collected and analysed for endophyte presence and ergovaline concentration to evaluate tall fescue toxicity risk. Management recommendations include tall fescue mitigation or elimination strategies. …

Warm-Season Annual Grasses As Pinpoint Grazing Opportunities, Rocky Lemus, J. A. White

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

There is a need to determine the use of annual warm-season grasses (AWSGs) such as forage sorghum (FS), millets (M), sudangrass (SG), and sorghum-sudangrass hybrid (SSH) can be integrated for grazing or hay production when utilized with appropriate grazing management strategies. The objective of the study was to screen new cultivars with the potential for resistance to sugar cane aphid (SCA, Melanaphis sacchar) for biomass production and nutritive value in a one-cut system. Treatments consisted of 30 cultivars that included FS, SG, SSH, and millets (M). Treatments were replicated three times in a randomized complete block design. Cultivars influenced …

Tannins In Perennial Legume And Forb Functional Forages, J. Macadam, Juan Villalba, S. Lagrange, E. Stewart, S. Hunt, J. Legako, R. Christensen, R. L. Pitcher, A. Bolletta

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Feed is the greatest input cost for cattle producers. The studies summarized here employed non-bloating, tannin-containing irrigated perennial legume pastures or hay of legumes or a hydrolysable tannin-containing forb that were grown in the Mountain West USA, with non-tannin legume, grass, or feedlot treatments for comparison. Cattle grazing legume pastures or fed legume or forb hays had greater intake, gain and nitrogen retention, and in some cases, reduced enteric methane emissions compared with grass pastures or hay, and methane emissions were not different from feedlot-fed cattle.

Yearling Beef Cattle Grazing Diverse Summer Annual Swards, K. Mercier, Christopher D. Teutsch, S. R. Smith, K. H. Burdine, E. S. Vanzant, E. L. Ritchey

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Utilizing summer annuals is often regarded as “a breakeven proposition at best” due to high establishment costs. This study investigated using botanical diversity to increase forage yield or animal performance to improve the economic feasibility of grazing summer annual forages in western Kentucky, USA. Sorghum-sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor x S. bicolor spp. drummondii)-based treatments included a monoculture, a three-species mixture (two grasses, one legume), and a 12-species mixture (five grasses, four legumes, two brassicas, and one forb). Angus-cross yearling beef calves (329, 366, and 297 kg in 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively) grazed summer annuals in 2017-2019 for an …

Opportunities Of Grazing Personality Genetics For Steep And Rugged Rangelands, Moreno Garcia, T. M. R. Maxwell, R. Dynes, H. Zhou, J. Hickford

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Globally, extensive pastoral grazing systems are facing multiple pressures, including to address emerging public concerns about environmental impact and animal well-being. This may require new regulatory constraints to be met, while maintaining the economic viability of the systems. One novel approach to addressing these challenges is to capitalize on naturally occurring differences in livestock behaviors, specifically differences in grazing personalities, to assist the production systems deliver more effective and responsible use of rangelands. Herbivores may exhibit consistent grazing behaviors over time and across spatial contexts, which differ among individuals and between groups leading to distinctive grazing patterns known as grazing …

Intake, Relative Palatability Indices And Blood Parameters Of Vetch Varieties As A Component Of Goat Diet, N. H. Msiza, K. E. Ravhuhali, H. K. Mokoboki, Sydney Mavengahama, G. M. Chelopo

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the feed intake, relative palatability indices and blood parameters of vetch varieties as a component of goat diet. The field and palatability study was carried out at the North West University, Molelwane Farm, North West province, South Africa. Ten weaner goats (16 ±2 kg) were used in this experiment. Four feeds (Vicia sativa – common & volga vetch ), Vicia villosa Roth (haymaker plus vetch) and buffalo hay grass were used in this experiment and each goat was exposed to these treatment diets. A cafeteria feeding method was used, allowing …