Domestic animals are disadvantaged whenever they are
confined or removed from
natural environments. As stewards we manage
opportunities for diet and parasite control. We can
manage animals more effectively at lower cost by
allowing the animals to use naturally occurring
secondary compounds to their advantage. The
necessary physiology
exists and with adequate exposure the learning
process can be enhanced.
Using tannins to control parasites and enhance
intake of high-alkaloid
plants that can neutralize the negative effects of
tannin could be very effective at maintaining animal
health while controlling cost. There is also an
advantage in planting forages with natural PSM
levels because they can survive under stressful
extremes including drought and heavy grazing which
could help producers meet economic objectives. By
taking these more natural
management approaches in environmentally sensitive
confined or removed from
natural environments. As stewards we manage
opportunities for diet and parasite control. We can
manage animals more effectively at lower cost by
allowing the animals to use naturally occurring
secondary compounds to their advantage. The
necessary physiology
exists and with adequate exposure the learning
process can be enhanced.
Using tannins to control parasites and enhance
intake of high-alkaloid
plants that can neutralize the negative effects of
tannin could be very effective at maintaining animal
health while controlling cost. There is also an
advantage in planting forages with natural PSM
levels because they can survive under stressful
extremes including drought and heavy grazing which
could help producers meet economic objectives. By
taking these more natural
management approaches in environmentally sensitive