Chemical Composition and In Vitro Digestibility of Forbs Consumed by Cattle Grazing Native Range

Abstract

Forbs consumed by cattle grazing native range had higher dry matter digestion coefficients and contained greater quantities of ash, calcium, phosphorus, crude protein, and total sugars, but contained less dry matter than grasses consumed at the same time. Forbs constituted as much as 50% of the dry matter of samples collected from esophageal fistulated cattle grazing native range. Based on their dry matter digestion coefficients and chemical composition, forbs did supply a significant amount of nutrients to grazing cattle while being consumed.