The digestibility and voluntary intake of six varieties of Panicum

1971 ◽  
Vol 11 (48) ◽  
pp. 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
DJ Minson

The digestibility and voluntary intake of P. coloratum CV. Kabulabula, P. coloratum var. Makarikariense CV. Burnett and C.P.I. 13372, P. maximum var. trichoglume CV. Petrie Green Panic, P. maximum cv. Coloniao guinea grass and Hamil were measured with sheep in metabolism pens. Each grass was cut eight to ten times at different growth stages and times of the year. Varieties differed (P<0.01) in their dry matter and organic matter digestibility but the maximum mean difference between varieties was only 2.8 and 3.4 per cent respectively. There were large differences in voluntary intake between grasses. P. maximum cv. Hamil had a voluntary intake 50 and 27 per cent greater than P. coloratum cv. Kabulabula when both had p dry matter digestibility of 50 and 60 per cent respectively. Voluntary intake of digestible organic matter of P. maximum CV. Hamil was 26 per cent higher than that of P. coloratum CV. Kabulabula. The higher intake of P. maximm occurred despite its having higher silicon percentages than P. coloratum. It was concluded that because of the biased relation between intake and digestibility selection of grasses on the basis of digestibility determinations alone could be a misleading guide to their nutritional value.


Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donato Andueza ◽  
Fabienne Picard ◽  
Philippe Pradel ◽  
Katerina Theodoridou

In mountain areas, hays are the main forage in winter diets for livestock. Barn-dried hays can be an alternative to traditional hays, which are generally characterized by a low feed value. The aim of this study was to compare the feed value of barn-dried hays with that of the fresh forage from a permanent meadow. The study was carried out over three periods during the first growth cycle of the meadow’s vegetation (from 30 May to 3 June, from 13 to 17 June, and from 27 June to 1 July). Fresh forage and barn-dried hays of the same fresh forages were tested for dry matter digestibility (DMD), organic matter digestibility (OMD), and voluntary intake (VI). Both types of forage obtained each period were tested with an interval of 15 days. Chemical composition and OMD of forages did not change (p > 0.05) according to the feeding method. However, the DMD values for barn-dried hays were higher (p < 0.05) than for fresh forages at the end of the cycle. VI and digestible organic matter intake of barn-dried hays were higher (p < 0.05) than that of fresh forages. In conclusion, barn-dried hays obtained from permanent grasslands presented a higher feed value than fresh forages.



2001 ◽  
Vol 2001 ◽  
pp. 93-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.W.J. Keady ◽  
C.S. Mayne ◽  
D J Kilpatrick

Grass silage forms the basal forage for the majority of dairy and beef cattle during the winter indoor feeding period. However its feeding value, as determined by intake potential and digestibility can differ dramatically at farm level as indicated by the Hillsborough Feeding Information System (HFIS). For example, for 7000 silages which were offered to dairy and beef cattle during the 1999/2000 indoor feeding period in Ireland and analysed through the HFIS, dry matter digestibility (DMD) varied from 540 to 830 g/kg DM (Keady, 2000). Many models used to predict feed intake by dairy cattle include a digestibility component (Keady and Mayne, 2000). However some models use DMD whereas others use digestible organic matter digestibility (DOMD). Furthermore commercial laboratories in Ireland measure silage digestibility as DMD while in the UK it is measured as DOMD. To facilitate the use of different models to predict food intake by dairy cattle, often it is necessary to be able to predict DMD from DOMD or vice versa. The present study was undertaken to develop a relationship between DMD and DOMD to facilitate the use of different models for the prediction of food intake when digestibility is available only either as DMD or as DOMD.



2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
H. Husnaeni ◽  
M. Arifin Amril ◽  
Sjamsuddin Rasjid

This research aims to improve the digestibility and nutritional value of rice straw as a ruminant animal feed and determine the effect of long soaking in sea water of rice straw on digestibility in vitro dry matter and organic matter. The used materials in this study are a bales machine, weighing scales, rapiah rope, poly bags, rice straw varieties Ciliwung obtained from rice fields in Bantimurung, sea water with 2.71% saline, as well as tools and chemicals for analysis of in vitro dry matter and organic matter digestibility with pepsin, calculus method. This study is done based on Randomized Complete  Design (RCD) with 5 treatments and 4 replications. Variance based on the long soaking treatment gives the nature of the response curve linear on the digestibility of dry matter and also to organic matter digestibility. The magnitude of the correlation length relationship soaking rice straw and with sea water for in vitro dry matter and organic matter digestibility that is 96.5% and 96.8% respectively. Based on the results of research and discussion can be concluded that rice straw is soaked with sea water 3-12 days producing dry matter digestibility and organic matter are higher than the rice straw that is not soaked with sea water. Soaking of the sea water for 3-12 days increase the digestibility of dry matter and organic matter.



1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 23
Author(s):  
R. M. Dixon ◽  
E. S. Garcia ◽  
J. A. Domingo ◽  
J. H. G. Holmes

Summary. The seeds of lablab (Lablab purpureus) and lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) were investigated as supplements for young sheep. In experiment 1, rumen-cannulated sheep were offered low quality roughage ad libitum alone or supplemented with about 5, 10 or 20 g/kg liveweight whole lupin or lablab seed. Rumen ammonia concentrations were increased by each level of both supplements, and the increases were greater with lupins than with lablab. The pH of rumen fluid was decreased by both supplements, particularly when the higher levels were fed. Dry matter of broken seeds of both legume species rapidly disappeared from synthetic fibre bags incubated in the rumen. Roughage dry matter disappearance from synthetic fibre bags decreased (P<0.05) when 20 g/kg liveweight lupins was fed, and this level of both supplements reduced (P<0.05) roughage intake. Total dry matter intake was increased more by lablab than by lupins, but dry matter and organic matter digestibility tended to be increased to a lesser extent by lablab. Overall, digestible organic matter intake and liveweight gain were increased to similar extents by both supplements. Wool growth was lower (P<0.05) with lablab than lupins, particularly at the highest level of supplementation, suggesting that availability of some amino acids was lower with lablab supplement. In experiment 2, rumen-cannulated sheep were fed low quality roughage ad libitum and supplemented with about 10 g/kg liveweight of either lupin or lablab seed. Lectins and protease inhibitors present in the lablab seed disappeared rapidly from synthetic fibre bags incubated in the rumen. In conclusion the nutritional value of lablab seed as a supplement for sheep fed low quality roughage was similar to that of lupin seed for liveweight gain, but was lower for wool growth.



1972 ◽  
Vol 12 (54) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
DJ Minson

The digestibility and voluntary intake of Chloris gayana, Digitaria decumbens, Panicimum maximum var tricboglume, Paspalm dilatatum, Pennisetm Clanhtinum, and Setaria splendih were measured with sheep in metabolism pens. All grasses were grown under the same conditions and cut at the same time. Each grass was cut after growing for 28, 70, and 98 days in the summer and then again (except for P. dilatatum) after 42, 70, and 105 days in the following autumn. Four successive 28-day regrowths of each grass (two cuts only for P. dilatatum) were also harvested during the summer. All 55 cuts were artificially dried and fed at the same time, each cut being fed to eight sheep. Differences in dry matter and organic matter digestibility between grass species were relatively small with a maximum mean difference of six digestibility units between S. splendida and P. clandestinzrm. For the 28-day regrowths S. splendida was 5.1 digestibility units higher but with the more mature regrowths the difference was 6.8 digestibility units. The mean voluntary intake of dry matter of S. splendida and P. clandestinum was 9 and 11 per cent lower than that of D. decmbens (P<0.01) with the largest differences in voluntary intake between grasses occurring at the mature stages of growth. Large differences were found between grass species in both the slope and intercept of regressions relating voluntary intake to dry matter digestibility.



1969 ◽  
Vol 9 (40) ◽  
pp. 502 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ Playne

Two experiments were done on the digestibility of Townsville lucerne seed with pod by sheep in metabolism cages. In one experiment, all sheep were fed the same amount (454 g dry matter seed with pod each day) and mean dry matter digestibility was 58.6 � 3.4 per cent. In the other, three different levels of seed with pod were fed, and mean organic matter digestibility ranged from 54.0 � 1.2 to 68.3 4 1.8 per cent, but digestibility was not significantly inversely related to mean organic matter intake which ranged from 438 � 69 to 335 & 10 g/day (P>0.05). The seed with pod contained, as per cent of dry matter, 5.54 per cent nitrogen, 0.36 per cent phosphorus, 0.30 per cent sulphur, and 0.88 per cent calcium. The sheep were in positive nitrogen balance, but in negative phosphorus balance. Between 8 and 14 per cent of actual seed consumed was defaecated unbroken. Up to 25 per cent of the faecal organic matter was unbroken seed, which was of high germination capacity (76 per cent). Amount of defaecated seed (P<0.001) and the defaecated seed as a percentage of faecal organic matter (P<0.02) were linearly related to amount of actual seed consumed. Factors affecting the amount of undamaged seed in the faeces and a possible technique for assessing seed consumption by grazing animals are discussed.



1972 ◽  
Vol 12 (57) ◽  
pp. 378 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ Playne

Both spear grass and Urochloa grass were cut at six intervals between January and October, near Townsville, Queensland, and the herbages, which ranged in age from 37-296 days, were fed to sheep indoors to compare voluntary dry matter intake, dry matter digestibility, and intake and retention of nitrogen, sulphur, and phosphorus. The dry matter intake and intake of digestible dry matter of Urochloa were greater than those of spear grass but dry matter digestibilities were similar at the same stage of growth. After mid-March, voluntary intake of digestible dry matter of both pasture species by the sheep was less than the amount needed to meet energy requirements. Nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations were higher in Urochloa than in spear grass, but the reverse applied to sulphur. Sheep were in negative nitrogen, sulphur, and phosphorus balance after early March, even though both grasses had been fertilized with superphosphate.



1994 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. V. Goodchild ◽  
N. P. McMeniman

SUMMARYIn the first two of four experiments, sheep were fed,ad libitum, sorghum stover supplemented with graded levels of foliage of the shrub leucaena (Leucaena leucocephald) or mulga (Acacia aneura), which provided between 0 and 0·34 or between 0 and 0·43 of the dietary dry matter (DM) respectively. A second treatment (with or without urea) was superimposed in a factorial design. The effect of treatments on liveweight (LW) was explainable by their effects on voluntary intake of apparently digestible organic matter (DOMI). D0M1 was increased by mulga, largely due to an increase in the total voluntary intake of organic matter (OM). Leucaena increased DOMI by increasing the ration OM digestibility and, at low levels of inclusion, intake of the basal diet. Roughage intake was greatest when leucaena provided 0·15–0·20 of the dietary DM. Leucaena increased rumen ammonia, and whenever roughage intake was increased by urea, leucaena also increased it.In the third experiment, when diets were made isonitrogenous with urea, roughage intake was slightly greater when leucaena, rather than its ash or a mineral mixture, was supplemented. Total OM intake and DOMI were greatest when leucaena was fed.In the final experiment, sheep were fed one of ten treatments: three basal diets (two of sorghum stover and the third of native pasture hay) each supplemented with legumes (leucaena to the hay and one stover diet and cowpea straw to the second stover diet), ash of the respective legume and formaldehyde-treated casein. The tenth treatment was sorghum stover plus urea. For sorghum stover diets with leucaena-based or cowpea straw-based supplements, DOMI responded linearly to the nonurea nitrogen concentration of the diet. On the other hand, for native hay with leucaena-based supplements, the response of DOMI to non-urea N was negligible. It was noted that the native hay (predominantly Flinders grass,Iseilema vaginiflorum), contained lower concentrations of polyphenols than sorghum stover.It was concluded that browse foliage can increase the voluntary DOMI of sheep consuming low quality roughages by providing nitrogen and sometimes minerals and OM of greater digestibility. The slowly-degradable proteins in leucaena, cowpea straw or formaldehyde-treated casein are more effective with polyphenol-rich sorghum stover than with native hay of otherwise similar composition.



1998 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 567-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. Fraser ◽  
D. H. Baker

AbstractAn experiment was conducted to compare the voluntary intake and in vivo digestion for guanacos and sheep when offered perennial ryegrass at three different growth stages: vegetative growth (VG), emerging inflorescence (El) and mature inflorescence (MI). Dry-matter (DM) intake ranged from 1·19 to 2·12 kg/day for the guanacos and 0·79 to 1·52 kg/day for the sheep. When expressed on a metabolic live-weight (M0·75) basis, the intake of the guanacos (55·8, 43·1 and 44·1 g DM per kg M0·75 daily on the VG, El and MI grasses respectively) and the sheep (54·4, 45·7 and 47·4g DM per kg M0·75 daily respectively) were similar (s.e.d. = 3·70). Apparent digestibilities of all food constituents were also similar. In terms of food choice, the response of the two species to grass stem differed; the guanacos selected (El) or tolerated (MI) this fraction, while the sheep tolerated (El) or avoided (MI) it.



2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 205 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. C. Richardson ◽  
A. G. Kaiser ◽  
J. W. Piltz

The effect of frosting on the nutritive value of wheat grain was determined in a digestibility experiment with sheep. Thirty-six Merino wethers were maintained on diets of lucerne chaff (30%) and whole wheat grain (70%) which was sourced from either severely frosted (SF), lightly frosted (LF) or unfrosted (UF) crops. The experiment was conducted in a repeated balance study with 8 replications per treatment diet for each of the 7 treatment diets, new animals were assigned to the chaff control (treatment diet 8). The diets were offered at the liveweight maintenance level of feeding and the digestibility of the wheat component was calculated by adjusting for the digestibility of the lucerne component. Frosting had a relatively small effect on the nutritive value of wheat grain for sheep. Dry matter digestibility for UF, LF and SF wheats did not differ significantly (0.886, 0.854 and 0.839, respectively), although the SF wheat had a lower digestibility than the UF wheat at P<0.10. The organic matter digestibility, digestible organic matter in the dry matter and estimated metabolisable energy (ME) content were all significantly (P<0.05) lower for SF compared with UF wheat grain (0.856 v. 0.908, 0.859 v. 0.915 and 13.5 v. 14.3 MJ/kg DM respectively). This study demonstrated that wheat from the severely frosted wheat crop had a lower estimated ME content of about 1 MJ/kg DM (equivalent to about 6% less ME) than wheat from the unfrosted crop fed in this study. However, the resultant ME of all samples fed fell within the normal observed ME range for wheat.



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