Nutrient composition, digestibility, and intake of diets chosen by goats that grazed alfalfa and oat field residues

The research aimed to compare dry matter intake (DMI), in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), and chemical composition of diets chosen by goats that grazed on oat and alfalfa field residues uprooted by ploughing. Forage samples were collected from the goat’s mouths after momentarily restraining them with a light rope tied to their neck. Estimated DMI was based on the ratio of faecal output to diet indigestibility. Total faecal collection (24 h) was registered using canvas bags and harnesses. Goats that grazed on oat field residues had a higher DMI (p < 0.05; 2.86 ± 0.09% body weight vs 2.77 ± 0.08%;) and IVDMD (p < 0.01, 44.0 ± 3.4% vs 37.3 ± 2.7%) than those that grazed on the alfalfa field residues. Also, oat residues had a higher (p < 0.01) crude protein content (9.40 ± 0.95% vs 7.97 ± 1.21%) and less (p < 0.01) neutral detergent fibre (53.6 ± 3.9% vs 57.0 ± 1.9%) than alfalfa residues. Ca was higher in alfalfa residues (p < 0.01; 1.18 ± 0.18% vs 0.42 ± 0.21%). In conclusion, oat and alfalfa residues are low to moderate-quality temporal feeding resources for goats kept on rangeland in seasons of low forage availability.