Forage adaptability trials and llama preference for forage species on the Bolivian Altiplano. Fugal, Rachel^*,1, Anderson, Val ², Roundy, Bruce³, ¹ Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA^{2 3}

ABSTRACT- This research determines the effectiveness of stockpiling a combination of various grasses and shrubs as a dry season supplement for camelids on the Bolivian Altiplano. The first portion of the project evaluated the survivability, vigor, and reproductive fitness of several forage species including grasses and shrubs from the cold deserts of Western North America, Russia, and China in unimproved pastures on the Altiplano across a gradient of moisture. Forage kochia and species of Atriplex did well whereas bitterbrush,mountain mahogany, and black sage did not. The grasses including, pubescent wheatgrass, crested wheatgrass, timothy, smooth brome, orchard grass, and weeping lovegrass, all established acceptable stands, but varied in production. The second portion of the project determined the palatability and acceptance of these species by Bolivian llamas on site during the midwinter dry season in July 2004. The llamas viewed the shrubs with contempt and refused to try them. Among the grasses, timothy was most preferred. Pubescent wheatgrass, and crested wheatgrass were the next most preferred. A late winter evaluation is planned.

KEY WORDS: dry season, camelid, forage species, preference