The Botanical Composition of the Diet of Free-Ranging Cattle on an Alpine Range in Australia

Abstract

Five oesophageal-fistulated steers were used to determine the botanical composition, on a quantitative basis, of the diet of freeranging cattle on an alpine range in Victoria, Australia. The steers primarily selected 4 grass species, 3 sedges and 1 rush, 6 forbs and 3 shrub species. Species selection changed significantly with seasonal advance. Generally grass species were preferred early in the grazing season, shrubs in the middle of the season and forbs towards the end of the season. The main species identified in the diet which should be used as indicator species of range condition are: alpine star-bush (Asterolasia trymalioides F. Muell.), snow daisy (Celmisia asteliifolia J.D. Hook), alpine grevillea (Grevillea australis R. Br.), scaly buttons (Leptorhynchos squamatus (Labill.) Less.) and soft snow grass (Poa hiemata Vick.).