Proceedings
Botanical composition herded goat diets were determined by the micro-histological analysis of feces. The vegetation type is Bouteloue - Michrochloe - Lycurus grassland with Quercus trees and infested areas of Opuntia spp. Ten one-square-meter permanent plots were established near the goat pens for a systematic fecd sampling. Feces were collected monthly during a year (March 1980 - February 1981). Twenty-six plant categories were recognized with the fecal analysis. Three plant species comprised about 65 percent of the diet: Quercus leaves, Bouteloua grasses and a Malvaceae forb. Other important plants in the diet were Opuntia, Aristioa and Phoradendron. The peak of grass consumption (74 percent) occurred at the end of the summer season (September), and minor fluctuations were detected during the rest of the year (15-38 percent). Browse consumption, mostly Quercus leaves, was highest in June (57 percent) and lowest during September and October (4 percent). During the rest of the year diet components were quite heterogeneous. The data obtained could serve to understand, improve or modify goat grazing and management systems in areas of central Mexico with similar characteristics
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | biblioteca |
| Published: |
Scottsdale, AZ (EUA)
1982
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| Subjects: | CAPRINOS, CONSUMO DE FORRAJES, COMPOSICION BOTANICA, MEXICO, |
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