The forage value of poplars and willows

Abstract

Poplars and willows planted on farms for soil conservation and shelter are also potential sources of supplementary forage. The objective of this paper is to provide information that assists in the estimation of the value of poplar and willow forage. The quantity of forage in trees and branches was measured and non-destructive methods for estimating forage yield were evaluated. The edible forage dry matter (DM) of 5-10-year-old trees ranged from 2-22 kg DM/tree. The edible forage yield of poplar and willow branches with a basal diameter (BD) up to 100 mm was shown to be estimated from kg DM = 0.04 BD - 0.6. The nutritive values of poplars and willows were found to be similar, but the concentration of condensed tannins was usually higher in willows. Tree bark was found to have sufficient nutritive value to be stripped from trees for its feed value by livestock. Cattle were observed to be able to browse willows to a height of 2m and to eat stems with a diameter from 2.7 to 7 mm. Keywords: browse estimation, condensed tannins, nutritive value, poplar, supplements, willow