Abstract

Herbivores show preferences for some dietary components over others (Cosgrove & Edwards, 2007). The consequence of diet selection is that preferred components of the sward risk depletion and sustainability of sward composition is compromised. Species such as cattle that are less capable of discriminating between components of the sward (Grant et al., 1985) and maintain a higher intake on poorer quality swards (Collins & Nicol, 1986) are useful in combating the more selective grazing behaviour of sheep. ...Continued

AM, Nicol, RP O'Connor, SJ Williams, and SJ Bryan

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 68, Brisbane, Australia, 57-58, 2008