Digestibility of guajillo for white-tailed deer

A study was conducted from May 1986 to June 1987 with white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to determine seasonal nutritive value and nutrient digestibilities of guajillo (Acacia berlandieri) and a pelleted diet. In vivo dry matter digestibility (DMD) of guajillo varied seasonally from 35.2 to 48.1% and was inversely correlated to levels of condensed tannins in the forage. Apparent protein digestibility varied seasonally from 13.7 to 45.8% and was a highly dependent function R2 = 0.97) of the amount of neutral detergent fiber nitrogen (NDFN) digested and the negative impact of condensed tannins. Cellulose and hemicellulose digestibilities also varied seasonally (0.6 to 13.5% and 52.3 to 71.1%, respectively). Nutrient digestibilities of the pelleted diet did not vary by season, sex, or age. Dry matter digestibility of the pelleted diet was 75.6% +/- 0.9 and true protein digestibility was 95.0 +/- 0.04. Results suggest summer is a stressful period for south Texas deer due to low protein and energy digestibility and high levels of condensed tannins.This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries.The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information.Migrated from OJS platform August 202