Aims: This paper reviews recent research on the use of new forages in deer farming that may be useful for increasing growth in weaner deer for venison production, increasing the trace element status of deer, and for developing systems less reliant on chemical inputs, notably of anthelmintics used to control internal parasites.
Growth: Grazing on pure swards of red clover (Trifolium pratense) or chicory (Chicorium intybus) increased weaner growth during autumn by 26-47% and during spring by 10-14%, relative to red deer (Cervus elaphus) grazed on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) /white clover (Trifolium repens) pasture (0.8/0.2). Pre-weaning growth during lactation was increased by approximately 20%. These increases were due to increased rate of degradation of feed particles in the rumen, leading to higher digestibility and higher voluntary feed intakes (VFI). Red clover and chicory produce a greater proportion of their total dry matter (DM) during late summer and autumn than perennial ryegrass/white clover pastures, and are therefore better aligned with the seasonal feed requirements of deer. Grazing on the legume, sulla (Hedysarum coronarium), in autumn and spring increased the growth of weaner deer by 33% and 10%, respectively, relative to pasture-fed animals.
Parasites: Plants containing substantial concentrations of secondary compounds such as condensed tannins (CT) show promise for reducing problems caused by internal parasites. CT present in some legumes and the presence of low concentrations of both CT and sesquiterpene lactones in chicory are reviewed. Feeding sulla containing 35g CT /kg DM reduced abomasal nematode establishment and tended to reduce lungworm (Dictyocaulis eckerti) larval counts in faeces. Relative to weaner deer grazing pasture, weaner deer grazing chicory during autumn required fewer anthelmintic treatments without depressing growth rates. CT extracted from a range of legumes, and CT and sesquiterpene lactones extracted from chicory reduced the in vitro motility of both lungworm and gastrointestinal nematode larvae. The beneficial effects of CT-containing forages on the ability of young deer to manage internal parasite infections could be due to: indirect effects of CT resulting in increased amino-acid absorption, better meeting demands of the immune system; direct inhibitory effects of CT on parasite larvae and; taller plant morphology, reducing the ingestion of infective larvae. The effects of CT depend upon both their structure and CT Condensed tannins DM Dry matter L1 First-stage larvae L3 Infective third-stage larvae LWG Liveweight gain ME Metabolisable energy OM Organic matter OMD Organic matter digestibility VFIVoluntary food intake concentration in the plant, which vary between growing conditions, plant varieties and species.
Trace elements: Chicory contained higher concentrations of copper and cobalt than perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture grown on the same farm, and deer grazing chicory had higher liver concentrations of both copper and vitamin B12. These forages may contribute to maintaining adequate trace element status in deer.
Conclusions: Grazing systems that include legumes and herbs such as sulla, red clover and chicory can be used to substantially increase the growth of weaner deer for venison production whilst maintaining deer health and reducing requirements for chemical inputs. For maximum plant persistence and animal responses, these plants should be grown and managed as special-purpose forages and not used in seed mixtures with perennial grasses.