Bison and Cattle Digestion of Forages from the Slave River Lowlands, Northwest Territories, Canada

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Abstract
Dry matter disappearance (DMD) of native forages collected from the Slave River Lowlands (SRL), Northwest Territories, was consistently greater in bison (Bison bison) than in Hereford cattle (Bos taurus) when measured with a nylon bag technique. Overall average DMD values were 52 and 39% for bison and cattle, respectively. Mean percent DMD values for each plant species were: willow (Salix spp.), 56; slough sedge (Carex atherodes), 50; baltic rush (Juncus balticus), 47; aleppo avens (Geum aleppicum), 44; and northern reedgrass (Calamagrostis inexpansa), 39. Dry matter disappearance was inversely correlated (P < 0.05) with crude fiber content of the sample. Dependence of DMD on crude fiber content was less (P < 0.001) in cattle than in bison. Based on relative digestibilities and data on forage intake, slough sedge was the most important bison forage in the study area. Average DMD was 44% greater (P < 0.01) in a Hereford fed hay than in a Hereford fed hay plus a concentrate supplement. There was no difference (P > 0.05) In DMD between 2 bison fed the hav ration and 2 fed hay plus the supplement.

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