CHEMICAL COMPOSITIONS OF NATIVE FORAGE PLANTS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA IN RELATION TO GRAZING PRACTICES

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Abstract
The percentages of crude protein and phosphorus decreased markedly and that of crude fibre increased in all classes of common forage in the southern interior of British Columbia from spring to fall on both grassland and forest ranges. No consistent trend was observed in percentage of total ash or calcium except that calcium increased markedly in weathered forbs both in the grasslands and in the forest. The grasses had a higher percentage of crude fibre than forbs or current shrub growth. The percentages of crude protein, crude fibre and phosphorus in a sedge meadow at a high elevation were all rather low during the grazing period; those of crude protein and phosphorus dropped sharply in mid-September. The chemical analyses indicated that the nutritive level of the range forage is generally satisfactory for livestock production although some winter supplementation, especially of phosphorus, may be necessary under certain conditions.