Nutrient Content of Wetland Plants

For years, it has been told that wetland grazing was not good for livestock production. Forage tests of baled wetland plants have consistently turned out lower than the level needed for animal nutrition. We, however, have seen the opposite from years of grazing wetlands. So, in 2006, we had the nutritional value of wetland plants tested throughout the growing season. Eighty eight vegetative samples were collected of many common wetland plants that were grazed by livestock. Periodic visits were to wetlands made to observe which plants the animals were selecting for and what part of the plant was actually being eaten.

Not surprising, only the newer, tender portions of the plant were being clipped. The coarser stem material and older leaves remained ungrazed. Our samples included only those parts of plants that were actually grazed. The samples were tested by a certified lab. The results showed that the nutritional value of the wetland plants were exceedingly good. When compared to forage standards in the dairy industry, crude protein was higher than the Prime Quality standard, Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) was lower than the maximum acceptable standard, and the Total Digestible Nutrient (TDN) level was 14 percent higher than the Supreme Quality standard. (See table)

The key to maintaining good forage quality of wetland plants is intense grazing when the plants have high forage quality. For most plants this can be most of the summer if the plant is frequently clipped to keep the plant from maturing or having lower nutrient levels. On some areas, the older vegetation was mowed off at about mid-summer to encourage new growth that livestock would graze.

To have a significant impact on wetland vegetation, it is important to match the stocking rate with the size of the grazing unit. An area with too few livestock results in plants only being clipped once before it becomes coarse and less palatable.

Last updated: September 23, 2008