Intake of plants containing secondary compounds by sheep grazing rangelands in the province of Boulemane (Morocco)

Understanding the feeding choices of ruminants grazing pastures containing plant secondary compounds (PSC) can help designing pastoral management strategies which stimulate the consumption of rangeland vegetation, while preserving its biodiversity and regeneration potential. In this objective, a survey was carried out with 35 breeders then 11 shepherds in the province of Boulemane in eastern Morocco. The sheep farming systems investigated were based on the exploitation of natural vegetation of the steppes and hills whereby alfa and sagebrush are predominant. The aims of the study were: (1) to determine the preferences of sheep in terms of plant species ingested, (2) to identify the main factors influencing these behaviours and (3) to relate these observations to the chemical composition of the parts ingested in particular the plant secondary compounds (phenols and tannins). Despite the relatively varied species present on the rangelands, only around 8-10 species were considered by shepherds as being relevant as forage resources. The relative preferences of sheep between these species varied according to shepherds and sites. Farmers implemented seasonal management strategies, based on the relative palatability and availability of the plant species on the rangeland. Further analyses will determine the possible relation between plant composition, grazing and supplementation management, and sheep preferences.