Feeding ground pelleted juniper did not precondition goats to subsequently eat more juniper

Junipers ( Juniperus spp.) are native chemically defended woody plants, that have encroached on U.S. rangelands causing environmental problems and decreased livestock productivity. Because of their browsing habits and tolerance to plant secondary compounds, goats have the potential to be used in targeted grazing programs. Increasing juniper consumption by goats allows for utilization of a less palatable landscape as forage, while at the same time improving biological control of juniper. This trial evaluated the inclusion of pelleted juniper (21 d) in a preconditioning diet on subsequent fresh juniper intake in pens, and in pastures post pre-conditioning. Young (∼ 2-year-old) juniper naïve Boer-Spanish cross goats (32.7 ± 0.45 kg) were stratified by body weight (BW) into groups fed a 12 % CP pelleted diet with either 20 % ground pelleted juniper (PJUN, n = 30) or 20 % cottonseed hulls (CTRL, n = 30) as roughage for 21d. Body weight, serum analytes, and fecal NIRS (fNIRS) predicted juniper intake were evaluated. Including pelleted juniper in preconditioning diets for goats did not increase subsequent juniper intake in pens or pasture ( P > 0.10). Body weights and serum analytes were comparable for PJUN and CTRL and all remained within normal clinical ranges except for SUN, which decreased ( P < 0.05) after feeding fresh juniper. • Feeding ground pelleted juniper (PJUN) did not precondition goats to subsequently eat more fresh juniper. • Using ground juniper as a roughage was safe. • Body weights of goats fed 12 % CP pellets containing ground juniper were comparable to goats fed 12 % CP pellets containing cottonseed hulls.