Boehmeria nivea (Ramie) as a high protein forage crop for small ruminants focusing on agronomic potential, nutritive value, and animal performance
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Climate related stressors and resource limitations in livestock production are increasing in frequency, making the investigation of resilient, nutrient-dense forage alternatives critical. Boehmeria nivea (ramie) has been traditionally used for its fibre utility but has attracted scientific interest as a high-protein forage crop with strong agronomic adaptability. This review synthesises current knowledge on the botanical characteristics, growth ecology and agronomic practices for the cultivation of ramie as a forage species. Ramie is a vigorous perennial, deep-rooted crop and able to adapt to a wide variety of soils; it shows tolerance to moderate drought and several key pests and diseases, it thrives in warm humid conditions, making it suitable for low-input systems. Ramie possesses a very good nutritive profile with crude protein contents mostly between 15 and 24%, in vitro dry matter digestibility values ranging from 55 to 70% and a range of beneficial bioactive compounds. Comparative evaluations in goats and sheep have shown that ramie can support good dry matter intake. In specific feeding trials, partial replacement of conventional roughage with ramie was associated with a 12–18% increase in average daily gain in growing goats, while replacing 25% of the forage component with ramie was associated with an 8–10% increase in milk yield in dairy goats, alongside antioxidant and rumen-health benefits under the studied conditions. Its relatively low requirement for economic inputs and multiple uses makes it a promising forage within climate-smart agriculture frameworks, although long-term economic and life-cycle assessments are still limited. The integration of Boehmeria nivea into forage systems presents opportunities to enhance livestock productivity and resilience, but further interdisciplinary research is required to optimise management practices and critically evaluate its long-term zootechnical, environmental and economic impacts in low-emission livestock systems.
Source: Discover Plants.
Institution: National Dairy Research Institute
Language: English
Subfield: Agronomy and Crop Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7221473355