Nutritive value of some common browse species

Appalachian hill lands suitable for farming are often dominated by weeds and woody species that are not usually grazed by cattle and sheep. Goats can utilize weeds and browse. In a preliminary study, multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora Thunb.; MFR), autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.; AO), and Morrow's honeysuckle (Lonicera morowii Gray; HS) were sampled to determine important nutritive value parameters. When averaged over the 1999 growing season, AO had higher (P < .05) crude protein (CP), total S and neutral detergent fiber (NDF), but lower in vitro organic matter disappearance (IVOMD) compared to MFR and HS. Date was significant (P < .001) for all parameters evaluated except CP. Autumn olive maintained higher CP concentrations throughout the season compared to MFR and HS, but CP declined throughout the growing season for all three plants. Date x Plant interaction was significant (P < .001) for NDF, acid detergent fiber (ADF), total S and N:S ratio and significant (P = .05) for IVOMD. Nutritive value information of browse plants is needed to help refine feeding and supplementation strategies for meat goats being used in pasture managements to control weeds and woody plants.