Survey to Determine Knowledge of Bioactive Forages Among Small Ruminant Producers

Abstract A short survey was conducted in 2019 to determine knowledge of bioactive forages for parasite control, including specifically Sericea Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), before or during small ruminant workshops (also available online via SurveyMonkey® - link sent to a small ruminant email list). Questions also included livestock owned, hay grown and/or fed, and interest in bioactive forages, among others. Descriptive statistics were obtained by using weighted (by region for goat numbers) SURVEYMEANS procedures (SAS). A total of 151 surveys were completed, including paper (n = 45) and online responses (n = 106). Response rate for paper surveys was 90%. Twenty-six of the fifty states were represented and assigned to regions: Southeast (SE), Midwest (MW), Northeast (NE), and southwestern and western combined (SWW). The highest responses came from the SE (unweighted), but after weighting, the SWW region was represented at the highest level (P < 0.001). Nearly 100% of respondents had small ruminants on their farm, most fed both grass and legume hay (P < 0.001), 36.5 ± 8.6% raised hay, but very few sold hay (4.9 ± 1.5%; less than those that did not, P < 0.001). The most popular method of marketing for hay was “word of mouth” (P < 0.001). Prior knowledge of forage plants with bioactivity was noted for 78.0 ± 8.1% (P < 0.001) vs those without. Approximately a third of respondents had used or grown sericea lespedeza (32.8 ± 8.4%; P < 0.05) and most (tendency, P < 0.07) thought of it favorably. Almost half of respondents indicated they were willing to grow sericea lespedeza (P < 0.02). Other sericea lespedeza products of interest to respondents included primarily pellets (around 85.3 ± 8.3%), with little interest in silage (2.2 ± 1.1%; P < 0.0001). Producer surveys, such as this, help inform efforts for researchers and Extension staff.