INCREASING ACCEPTANCE OF WILLOW BACCHARIS BY GOATS
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Abstract
Willow baccharis (Baccharis salicina Torr. & Gray) is an invasive shrub in west central Texas. It quickly re-sprouts from rhizomes making it difficult to control. Herbicides that contain the active ingredient 2, 4, D will cause plant mortality but total canopy coverage is difficult because of the dense canopy cover. The plant contains sesquiterpene lactones that cause aversive post-ingestive feedback. The objectives assessed if dosing goats with activated charcoal or feeding additional protein would attenuate toxicosis. In Trial 1, the goats were dosed with activated charcoal (1 g ยท kg-1 BW). In Trial 2, goats were fed additional protein supplementation. In Trial 1, goats dosed with activated charcoal consumed more willow baccharis. In Trial 2, there was a trend for goats receiving additional protein to consume more willow baccharis. It appears that both activated charcoal and additional protein supplementation may improve intake of willow baccharis.