A study of the diet of [beef] cattle in Central Australia as determined by rumen samples [Australian Northern Territory]

Chippendale, G.M. . Primary Industries Branch

A study of the diet of [beef] cattle in Central Australia as determined by rumen samples [Australian Northern Territory]

1970

Chippendale, G.M. (Northern Territory Dept., Alice Springs (Australia). Primary Industries Branch)

Examination of 223 samples of the rumen contents of cattle grazing in an arid zone indicated the contribution to the diet by components of the vegetation. The diet consisted of grass; which was represented by 43 species comprising 85.7 percent; herbage, with 99 species comprising 4.7 percent; and edible trees and shrubs known as "topfeed" with 63 species comprising 9.4 percent. There was 0.2 percent of indeterminata. Results show the importance of perennial grasses and herbage together with palatable trees and shrubs in giving stability to grazing in dry times. Seasonally, annual grasses and herbage provide preferred fodder for comparatively short periods of a month or so. In these flush periods, herbage and topfeed are very little selected. Rumen samples are also an aid in determination of causative plants when poisoning is suspected.

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