Fraser, M.D., and Gordon, I.J. (1995) Grazing ecology of goats and guanacos on sown and indigenous swards in Scotland. In: European Fine Fibre Network: occasional publication no. 3. pp. 141-150. From: European Workshop on the Nutrition and Grazing Ecology of Speciality Fibre Producing Animals, 15–17 September 1994, Villaviciosa, Spain.

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Abstract

The grazing ecology of goats (Capra hircus) and guanacos (Lama guanicoe) over a number of plant communities are described. Results are drawn in particular from established sown sward (Lolium perenne dominated), an indigenous grassland community (Nardus stricta dominated and a dwarf shrub community (Calluna vulgaris dominated. On all three vegetation types both species of animal selected a diet which was significantly different from the composition of the sward. Only on the Calluna community were differences in the digestibility of the diets selected by each species observed. Similarities and differences in selectivity suggest guanacos are principally grazers while the goats are intermediate feeders selecting browse as well as grass. The goats consume significantly less digestible organic matter per kg metabolic liveweight than the guanacos when grazing both the sown and indigenous grasslands. In contrast, digestible organic matter intakes may be similar for both species on a dwarf-shrub community.

Item ID:	42654
Item Type:	Conference Item (Research - E1)
ISBN:	978-0-7084-0557-4
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Date Deposited:	10 Feb 2016 07:43
FoR Codes:	06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0608 Zoology > 060806 Animal Physiological Ecology @ 100%
SEO Codes:	97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970107 Expanding Knowledge in the Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences @ 100%
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