Effects of organic solvents on use of tarbush by sheep.

Tarbush (Flourensia cernua DC) is a native perennial shrub prevalent in many parts of the Chihuahuan Desert. Ruminants have exhibited limited use of tarbush leaves and new leaders as a forage during the summer growing season. Efforts to increase use of tarbush by lambs through spraying with various organic solvents were unsuccessful, probably because of the highly variable response. However, complete immersion of tarbush in organic solvents (acetone and ethanol) increased (P<0.01) tarbush use by ram lambs when compared to unaltered tarbush. Data suggest that removal of secondary compounds from the leaf surface of tarbush using organic solvents enhanced acceptability of tarbush to sheep.