Abstract:

Woody forage refers to a category of feeding resources that are primarily derived from the leaves, branches, fruits, and processing byproducts of woody plants. It has high nutritional value and ecological functions, and plays a significant role in alleviating the constraints on traditional herbaceous forage resources and promoting the green transformation of the livestock industry. With the development of ecological agriculture and low-carbon livestock farming concepts, research on woody forage has gradually shifted from early-stage resource surveys and single-use applications toward the coordinated development of cultivation, processing regulation, and feeding applications. A systematic review of the classification characteristics, botanical and nutritional properties, cultivation techniques, and application outcomes of woody forage in livestock and poultry production is of great value for promoting the scientific utilization and industrial development of woody forage. In recent years, research on woody forage has primarily focused on resource characteristics, cultivation and processing, and feeding applications. Based on plant life forms, edible parts, feeding functions, and nutritional characteristics, woody forage resources have been systematically classified, and their characteristics of high biomass, high protein, high mineral content, and richness in various bioactive compounds were clarified. Through the breeding of elite varieties, rational planting patterns, and scientific field management, the biomass and nutritional quality of woody forages have been enhanced, and processing techniques such as silage, milling and pelleting, and air-explosion have effectively improved palatability and nutrient utilization. A large number of animal trials have demonstrated that the appropriate supplementation of woody forage can improve the production performance and ruminal fermentation function of ruminants, as well as enhance the immune and antioxidant capacities of poultry. Furthermore, woody forage shows promising application prospects in agroforestry, the resource utilization of agricultural waste, and ecological circular agricultural systems. Although research on woody forage has made some progress, there are still shortcomings in terms of large-scale promotion and precise application. Future efforts should focus on further screening of high-quality germplasm resources, and the cultivation and processing regulation mechanism research. It is essential to determine appropriate supplementation levels and long-term feed safety for different livestock and poultry species, and to promote the comprehensive utilization of woody forage in ecological farming systems.

Key words: woody forage, cultivation techniques, eco-farming, sustainable development