Determining Forage Quality and Palatability of Tree Fodder for Multiple Grazing Species

Commodities

Practices

The problem that we hope to solve is lack of quality or affordable fodder for small producers in the case of drought. In the Spring/Summer of 2023 all three farms participating in this project experienced poor regrowth of forage which necessitated feeding of summer hay, which was also expensive and in short supply due to the drought. Hillbilly Hippie farm resorted to dropping several trees small cottonwood trees for the cattle and collecting mullberry branches for the rabbits. Climate change and unpredictable weather patterns neccesitate identification of potential alternative forages. Tree fodder has a long history of use worldwide, however it is necessary for us to identify locally available tree species and assess thier nutrirional value and palatability at different time points in year. 

For this project we seek to identify the most nutritious and palatable tree species for different grazing animals. There are two main parameters we will assess, forage quality and palatability. We have identified 8 trees that we will be analyzing, mulberry (Morus spp.), willow (Salix spp.), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia ), autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata), cottonwood (Populus deltoides), oak (Quercus spp.), honey locust (Gleditsia tricanthos), and ash (Fraxinus spp.). A sample of purchased hay will also be submitted at each time point for comparison. Forage quality analysis of the leaves of these tree species will take place at 4 time points over the course of the year, spring after full leaf out, summer, fall, and winter. Spring, summer, and fall samples will be sent for analysis immediately after collection, while winter sample will be collected in the fall and dried as tree hay then analyzed in late winter. Forage quality analysis will include, dry matter, crude protein, fat content, major minerals (Calcium, Phosphorous, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, Sulfur, Iron, Copper, Manganese, Zinc), and total fiber. We will work Dr. Ali Hussein from Truman State University to interpret the results. 

The palatability studies will take place on the same time frame as the forage quality analysis. Palatability studies will be conducted by presenting the animals with a pre-determined amount leaf material and weighing any rejected material after a 24 hour period. Animals will only be presented with tree leaves as an option and will have access to their regular forage during the 24 hours. Trials of each tree species will take place on different days. We will assume that more consumption indicates a preference and thus palatability for that animal species. 

Objective: The objective of this study is to identify the best tree fodder for each grazing species in terms of both palatability and nutrient content.