Nutritional composition of New Zealand native shrubs edible portions with fodder potential for ruminants.

In New Zealand, willow and poplar are used on hill farms for erosion control and to supplement pasture during low pasture periods. Some native shrubs are browsed by wild herbivores but remain unexplored for farmed ruminants. We evaluated the seasonal nutritional composition of five native New Zealand shrubs (Karamū, Pāpāuma, Karo, Whauwhaupaku, and Houhere) and compared them with willow (Kinuyanagi). Leaf and edible stem were analysed for nutritional composition and <italic>in vitro</italic> digestibility following AOAC procedures. Results showed that except Houhere, all other native shrubs leaves had lower crude protein (CP) (11 MJ/ kg DM) than Kinuyanagi. Kinuyanagi leaves were comparable to Houhere in ME and CP in spring but had lower CP in summer. Stem nutritional composition was similar across all shrubs. Acid and neutral detergent fibres in edible portions were comparable to those in common pastures, fodder crops, and forages in New Zealand. The findings suggest native shrubs could supplement low ME in summer pastures or winter herbage scarcity, but further research is needed on animal preference and intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]