Vegetation-utilization pattern and performance of small ruminants in woodlands with altering heights of non-pine plants

The widespread woodland coverage (61%) in the southeast US may provide extended grazing and browsing opportunities for small ruminants. However, much of the vegetation present in woodlands is above small ruminants’ browse height, suggesting that lowering the height of non-pine (understory) vegetation could increase forage availability for animals, resulting in better animal performance. This study assessed the vegetation utilization pattern at different heights by small ruminants and evaluated their performance in woodlands. Goats (Kiko wethers) and sheep (Katahdin rams) were rotationally stocked in plots with a southern pine overstory and an understory comprised of a mixture of herbaceous plants, shrubs, and hardwood seedlings and saplings. The non-pine plants were cut to one of three heights from the ground level (0 m, 0.9 m, and 1.5 m) or left uncut (control). Browsing height and animals' preference for different plant species were monitored after removing animals from each study plots. Live weight (LWt), body condition score (BCS), and FAMACHA score were collected before stocking animals in the study plots and fortnightly thereafter. Goats browsed from higher vegetation strata than sheep (1.2–1.6 m vs. 0.9–1.1 m). Vegetation in the uncut control was least eaten. The BCS (1–5: 1- severely thin, 5—obese) was within the range for healthy animals in both goats (2.4–2.8) and sheep (2.8–4.0). FAMACHA score (1–5: 1- no anemia, 5-severely anemic) ranged from 1.6 to 2.1 in goats and 1.0–2.7 in sheep suggesting no anemic condition. Maintaining non-pine plants at low heights (1.1–1.6 m) increased the vegetation utilization by small ruminants for acceptable performance.