Nutrative Value and Degradation of ‘Millwood' Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos L.) Seedpods within Appalachian Silvopastures.

Seed pods from high-sugar varieties of honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos L.) trees have potential as an animal feed supplement from late fall to mid winter.  However, data regarding variation in nutritive characteristics of pods from selected honeylocust varieties such as ‘Millwood’ are limited.  Within silvopastures, pods from improved varieties often drop late in the year and would likely be subjected to environmental conditions prior to being consumed by livestock.  However, the degradation of pods over time as it affects the supply of fodder for livestock grazing within silvopastures is unreported.  Because honeylocust pods are potentially a high-quality feed resource, studies characterizing their nutritive value and degradation may influence management decisions regarding their utilization within silvopastures. A study was conducted within an active honeylocust silvopasture to: 1) estimate the nutritional variability of seed pods among Millwood honeylocust trees, and 2) determine changes in fodder nutritive value over time. In October 2008 and 2009, 12 randomly-sampled pods were collected from each pod-bearing Millwood tree to determine the variability in fodder nutritive value among trees.  In a second study, Millwood and wild-type seedpods were gathered, placed in in-situ bags, stored on the ground within a silvopasture, and allowed to decompose over time.  In situ samples were collected monthly from November to March and analyzed for nutritive value.  Levels of neutral and acid detergent fibers, acid detergent lignin, non-structural carbohydrates, crude protein, and minerals were characterized.  Results of nutritive data for 2008 and 2009 will be presented.  Generally, Millwood pods had lower fiber, lignin, and protein concentrations when compared to wild-type honeylocust pods, and both pods and seeds were generally more digestible than those from wild-type honeylocust.  Five months of degradation time had little effect on the fiber or protein concentrations of pods or seeds.  Millwood pods have potential as a supplement for wintering livestock.