Plains Pricklypear is a Good Forage for Cattle

Shoop, M.C. and Alford, E.J. and Mayland, H.F. (1977) Plains Pricklypear is a Good Forage for Cattle. Journal of Range Management. 30(1):12-17.

PDF 364.pdf Download (530kB)

Abstract

Singed plains pricklypear was assessed as a cattle
forage. In an 84-day feeding trial, six pairs of heifers were
individually fed a basal ration of hay and cottonseed meal at 2.3%
of initial bodyweight. One heifer in each pair also ate singed
pricklypear offered ad libitum. Pricklypear increased total dry
matter consumption 43% and weight gain 72%. The heifers
experienced no digestive problems during the trial or ensuing 60
days on pricklypear range. Chemical analyses and microdigestion
trials indicated that digestibility of pricklypear was equal or
superior to that of high quality alfalfa hay. Pricklypear contained
about 40% more soluble carbohydrates than alfalfa hay, but
contained only 3.4% digestible protein. Therefore, rations containing
pricklypear would usually require protein supplementation.
We concluded that singed pricklypear was a palatable
and nutritious feed and should be evaluated as an additional
forage on shortgrass range.

Item Type:	Article
NWISRL Publication Number:	0364
Subjects:	Animal Irrigated crops > Grass forage Mass Import - autoclassified (may be erroneous)
Depositing User:	Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited:	20 Nov 2010 21:51
Last Modified:	09 Feb 2017 18:33
Item ID:	311
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/311