Beef cattle responses to pre-grazing sward height and low level of energy supplementation on tropical pastures

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of energy supplementation and pre-grazing sward height on grazing behavior, nutrient intake, digestion, and metabolism of cattle in tropical pastures managed as a rotational grazing system. Eight rumen-cannulated Nellore steers (24 mo of age; 300 ± 6.0 kg body weight [BW]) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. Treatments consisted of two levels of energy supplementation (0% [none] or 0.3% of BW of ground corn on an as-fed basis) and two pre-grazing sward heights (25 cm [defined by 95% light interception (LI)] or 35 cm [defined by ≥ 97.5% LI]) constituting four treatments. Steers grazed Marandu Palisadegrass [Brachiaria brizantha Stapf. cv. Marandu] and post-grazing sward height was 15 cm for all treatments. Forage dry matter intake (DMI) was increased (P = 0.01) when sward height was 25 cm (1.86% vs. 1.32% BW) and decreased (P = 0.04) when 0.3% BW supplement was fed (1.79% vs. 1.38% BW). Total and digestible DMI were not affected by energy supplementation (P = 0.57) but were increased when sward height was 25 cm (P = 0.01). Steers grazing the 25-cm sward height treatment spent less time grazing and more time resting, took fewer steps between feeding stations, and had a greater bite rate compared with 35-cm height treatment (P < 0.05). Energy supplementation reduced grazing time (P = 0.02) but did not affect any other grazing behavior parameter (P = 0.11). Energy supplementation increased (P < 0.01) diet dry matter digestibility but had no effect on crude protein and neutral detergent fiber digestibilities (P = 0.13). Compared with 35-cm pre-grazing sward height, steers at 25 cm presented lower rumen pH (6.39 vs. 6.52) and greater rumen ammonia nitrogen (11.22 vs. 9.77 mg/dL) and N retention (49.7% vs. 20.8%, P < 0.05). The pre-grazing sward height of 25 cm improved harvesting efficiency and energy intake by cattle, while feeding 0.3% of BW energy supplement did not increase the energy intake of cattle on tropical pasture under rotational grazing.

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Protein-energy supplementation frequency on ruminal variables, intake and digestibility in steers receiving low quality hay

Ciência Animal Brasileira ◽

10.1590/1809-6891v21e-55241 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 ◽

Author(s):

Marcella Cândia D'Oliveira ◽

Fábio Arguelo Biberg ◽

Gabriela Facholi Bomfim ◽

Maria da Graça Morais ◽

José Mauro Diogo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Latin Square ◽

Ammonia Nitrogen ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Ruminal Ph ◽

Forage Digestibility ◽

Protein Energy ◽

Supplementation Frequency ◽

Energy Supplementation ◽

Control Protein

Abstract The aim was evaluated the effect of reduce in protein-energy supplementation frequency on nutrients intake, forage digestibility and degradability, as well as, ruminal pH and ammonia nitrogen (N-NH3) concentration in beef cattle receiving low-quality hay. A 4 x 4 Latin square design were used. Four steers were fed with low-quality hay and subjected to four treatments: no supplementation (control); protein-energy supplementation with 0.82% of body weight (BW) offered three times per week (3WK); 0.49% of BW offered five times a week (5 WK), and 0.35% of BW offered seven times per week (7 WK). The use of protein-energy supplementation increased intake of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), ether extract (EE), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) and the digestibility coefficients of CP, EE, and NFC. However, no differences in DM and NDF degradation visit the website to get the how were observed between treatments in the evaluated hay. Supplementation did not alter ruminal pH, but the N-NH3 concentration was highest in treatment 7WK. Reduction in protein-energy supplementation frequency of daily to 3WK or 5WK does not negatively affect intake, digestibility and degradability of nutrients in beef cattle receiving low quality hay.

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Metabolic and Productive Response and Grazing Behavior of Lactating Dairy Cows Supplemented with High Moisture Maize or Cracked Wheat Grazing at Two Herbage Allowances in Spring

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11040919 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 919

Author(s):

Verónica M. Merino ◽

Lorena Leichtle ◽

Oscar A. Balocchi ◽

Francisco Lanuza ◽

Julián Parga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Latin Square ◽

Ruminal Fermentation ◽

High Moisture ◽

Plasma Urea ◽

Grazing Behavior

The aim was to determine the effect of the herbage allowance (HA) and supplement type (ST) on dry matter intake (DMI), milk production and composition, grazing behavior, rumen function, and blood metabolites of grazing dairy cows in the spring season. Experiment I: 64 Holstein Friesian dairy cows were distributed in a factorial design that tested two levels of daily HA (20 and 30 kg of dry matter (DM) per cow) and two ST (high moisture maize (HMM) and cracked wheat (CW)) distributed in two daily rations (3.5 kg DM/cow/day). Experiment II: four mid-lactation rumen cannulated cows, supplemented with either HMM or CW and managed with the two HAs, were distributed in a Latin square design of 4 × 4, for four 14-d periods to assess ruminal fermentation parameters. HA had no effect on milk production (averaging 23.6 kg/day) or milk fat and protein production (823 g/day and 800 g/day, respectively). Cows supplemented with CW had greater protein concentration (+1.2 g/kg). Herbage DMI averaged 14.17 kg DM/cow.day and total DMI averaged 17.67 kg DM/cow.day and did not differ between treatments. Grazing behavior activities (grazing, rumination, and idling times) and body condition score (BCS) were not affected by HA or ST. Milk and plasma urea concentration increased under the high HA (+0.68 mmol/L and +0.90 mmol/L, respectively). Cows supplemented with HMM had lower milk and plasma urea concentrations (0.72 mmol/L and 0.76 mmol/L less, respectively) and tended (p = 0.054) to have higher plasma β-hydroxybutyrate. Ruminal parameters did not differ between treatments.

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PSX-B-10 Effect of undigested neutral detergent fiber concentration and forage inclusion rate on ruminal pH, reticular motility, and total tract permeability for finishing beef heifers

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.811 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 457-458

Author(s):

Murillo C Pereira ◽

Karen A Beauchemin ◽

Tim A McAllister ◽

Wenzhu Yang ◽

Joyce Van Donkersgoed ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gastrointestinal Tract ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Latin Square ◽

Barley Grain ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Fiber Concentration ◽

Eating Time ◽

Ruminal Ph ◽

Contraction Duration ◽

Gastrointestinal Permeability

Abstract This study evaluated the effects of undigested neutral detergent fiber (uNDF) concentration and forage inclusion (FI) rate on dry matter (DM) intake, ruminal pH, reticular contractions, and gastrointestinal permeability for finishing beef cattle. Five ruminally cannulated Hereford′Simmental heifers (699±69.1 kg) were used in an incomplete 6×6 Latin square (26-d periods) with a 2×3 factorial treatment arrangement. Barley grain-based diets were formulated using barley silage or wheat straw to provide low or high uNDF (7.1 vs. 8.5% DM) with forage proportions of 5, 10, or 15% of dietary DM. Dry matter intake (P ≥ 0.10) and eating time (P ≥ 0.13) were not affected by uNDF, FI, or uNDF′FI. With low uNDF diets, increasing FI numerically (P = 0.02) increased rumination time (min/d); while, with high uNDF diets, rumination time increased with 5 to 10% FI, but not thereafter (P = 0.03). Mean ruminal pH was not affected by uNDF (6.17 vs. 6.19; P = 0.08), but increased with increasing FI (6.04b, 6.23a, and 6.28a; P = 0.02). Duration of ruminal pH < 5.5 was not affected by uNDF but tended (P = 0.07) to be reduced with increasing FI. High uNDF diet tended to increase the frequency of reticular contractions (1.43 vs. 1.51 contractions/min; P = 0.07) but decreased the contraction duration (13.2 vs. 14.1 sec; P = 0.04). Increasing FI increased contraction frequency (1.39b, 1.50a, and 1.53a contractions/min; P = 0.03) and tended to reduce contraction duration as forage increased from 5 to 10 and 15% (14.3, 13.1, and 13.6 sec; P = 0.07). Feeding high uNDF decreased (P = 0.05) permeability of the gastrointestinal tract based on the appearance of Cr-EDTA in urine following an intra-ruminal dose. Increasing FI tended to reduce gastrointestinal tract permeability (P = 0.06). Limited interactions indicate that uNDF and FI act independently suggesting that increasing dietary uNDF, without increasing FI rate, can stimulate frequency of reticulo-ruminal contractions and reduce gastrointestinal permeability for finishing cattle.

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Ruminal parameters and ruminal degradability of feedlot sheep fed safflower grains

Revista Brasileira de Saúde e Produção Animal ◽

10.1590/s1519-99402018000300009 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 324-335

Author(s):

Jefferson Leonardo Rocha Alves ◽

Rafael Henrique de Tonissi e Buschinelli de Goes ◽

Antônio Campanha Martinez ◽

Aguinaldo Yoshio Nakamura ◽

Jefferson Rodrigues Gandra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Ammonia Nitrogen ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Asymptotic Model ◽

Ruminal Fermentation ◽

Mean Values ◽

Ruminal Ph ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Times

SUMMARY This study aimed to evaluate the rumen degradability of dry matter (DM), disappearance of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of Tifton 85 hay, and fermentation parameters (pH and ruminal ammonia nitrogen) of sheep fed diets with inclusion of safflower grains (0, 7.50 and 15%). Three mixed breed lambs with average body weight of 35.50± 1.50 kg were used. The rumen degradability of dry matter and NDF of the Tifton 85 haywas analyzedby the disappearance of DM and NDF, and the kinetic parameters adjusted according to the first order asymptotic model. The samples were incubated in the rumen in descending order (96, 48, 24, 12, 6, 3, 0 hours). The determination of ruminal pH and ruminal ammonia nitrogen (RAN) was performed before feeding and 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours after feeding. Data of ruminal fermentation were tested by analysis of variance with repeated measures in time, at 5% probability. Ruminal pH values were not statistically different. When evaluating the RAN, there was a significant difference between the times and treatments for the diet with 15% safflower. The diets presented low effective degradability of DM and NDF with mean values of 18.02% and 47.40%, respectively. The safflower grain can be used up to 7.50% in the diets without altering the degradability and ruminal fermentation.

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Dietary rambutan peel powder as a rumen modifier in beef cattle

Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences ◽

10.5713/ajas.19.0342 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 (5) ◽

pp. 763-769

Author(s):

Thiwakorn Ampapon ◽

Metha Wanapat

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Volatile Fatty Acids ◽

Latin Square ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Napier Grass ◽

Feed Consumption ◽

Ruminal Fermentation ◽

Fruit Peel ◽

Negative Effect

Objective: The experiment was conducted to study the effect of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) fruit peel powder (RP) on feed consumption, digestibility of nutrients, ruminal fermentation dynamics and microbial population in Thai breed cattle.Methods: Four, 2-year old (250±15 kg) beef bull crossbreds (75% Brahman×25% local breed) were allotted to experimental treatments using a 4×4 Latin square design. Four dietary supplementation treatments were imposed; non-supplementation (control, T1); supplementation of RP fed at 2% of dry matter intake (DMI) (low, T2); supplementation of RP fed at 4% of DMI (medium, T3) and supplementation of RP fed at 6% of DMI (high, T4). All cattle were given a concentrate supplement at 1% of body weight while Napier grass was provided as a free choice.Results: The findings revealed that RP supplementation did not negatively affect (p>0.05) DMI of Napier grass, while RP intake and total DMI were the greatest in the RP supplementation at 4% and 6% DMI. Nevertheless, the nutrients (dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber) digestibilities were not changed in the RP supplementation groups. Rumen fermentation parameters especially those of total volatile fatty acids, acetate and butyrate were not significantly changed. However, the propionate concentration was remarkably increased (p<0.05) in the RP supplementation. Notably, the ratio of acetate to propionate, the number of protozoa, as well as the methane estimation were significantly reduced in the RP supplemented groups (4% and 6% of DMI), while the counts of bacteria was not altered.Conclusion: Supplementation of RP (4% of DMI) improved rumen propionate production, reduced protozoal population and methane estimation (p<0.05) without a negative effect on feed consumption and nutrients total tract digestibilities in beef cattle. Using dietary rambutan fruit peel powder has potential promise as a rumen regulator.

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Effects of source and concentration of neutral detergent fiber from roughage in beef cattle diets on feed intake, ingestive behavior, and ruminal kinetics

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa107 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Rodrigo S Goulart ◽

Ricardo A M Vieira ◽

Joao L P Daniel ◽

Rafael C Amaral ◽

Vanessa P Santos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Latin Square ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Corn Silage ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Ingestive Behavior ◽

Rumen Content ◽

Residence Times

Abstract The objectives of this research were to evaluate the effects of source and concentration of α-amylase-treated neutral detergent fiber (aNDF) from roughage on feed intake, ingestive behavior, and ruminal kinetics in beef cattle receiving high-concentrate diets. Six ruminally cannulated Nellore steers (408 ± 12 kg of body weight) were randomly assigned to a 6 × 6 Latin square design with six diets: 10% aNDF from corn silage (10CS); 20% aNDF from corn silage (20CS); or four diets containing 10% aNDF from corn silage and 10% aNDF from one of the following sources: sugarcane (SC), sugarcane bagasse (SCB), soybean hulls (SH), or low oil cottonseed hulls (LOCH). The parameters of passage and degradation kinetics were estimated based on a two-compartmental model with gamma- and exponential-distributed residence times. The nonlinear models were fitted by nonlinear least squares, and a linear mixed-effects model was fitted to all variables measured from the Latin square design that were related to intake, digestibility, digestion kinetic parameters, and residence times. Mean particle size (MPS) between roughage sources (CS, SCB, and SC) and coproducts (SH and LOCH) was affected (P < 0.05). Dry matter intake (DMI) was not affected (P > 0.05) by 20CS, SC, SH, or LOCH. Steers fed 20CS or LOCH diets had 16% and 20% greater DMI, respectively, (P < 0.05) than steers fed 10CS diet. Steers fed SCB consumed the least dry matter (DM). The SH and LOCH diets had lower MPS values (about 8.77 mm) in comparison to 20CS, SCB, and SC diets (about 13.08 mm) and, consequently, affected (P < 0.05) rumen content, ruminal in situ disappearance, nutrient digestibility, and solid fractional passage rate. Chewing time was affected (P < 0.05) by roughage sources and concentration. Lower values of distance travel inside the rumen (min/cm) were observed (P < 0.05) for the SCB and SC diets in comparison with any other diet. Except for SCB, there was no difference (P > 0.05) in rumen fill, among other treatments. Mean daily ruminal pH was not affected (P > 0.05) by 20CS, SCB, SC, and LOCH diets, and it ranged from 6.1 to 6.23. Total short-chain fatty acids concentration was affected (P < 0.05) by roughage source and concentration. Based on our results, we recommend that under Brazilian finishing diets, replacing roughage sources, except for SCB, based on aNDF concentration of the roughage in high-concentrate diets containing finely ground flint corn does not affect DMI.

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Evaluation of supplementation plans for suckling beef calves managed on tropical pasture

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2017v38n2p1027 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

pp. 1027 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sidnei Antônio Lopes ◽

Mário Fonseca Paulino ◽

Edenio Detmann ◽

Ériton Egídio Lisboa Valente ◽

Luciana Navajas Rennó ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dry Matter ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Tropical Pasture ◽

Productive Performance ◽

Tropical Pastures ◽

Beef Calves ◽

Linear Effect ◽

Mineral Mixture ◽

And Performance ◽

Average Body

This study assessed the effects of different amounts of supplement on the productive performance, nutrional caracteristics and behaviour of suckling beef calves, as well as on the productive performance of their dams on tropical pastures. Forty-four male Nellore beef calves with an average age of 120 days and an initial average body weight (BW) of 145±3.7 kg and their respective dams, with an average BW of 449±6.9 kg, were used. The amounts of supplement evaluated were as follows: 0 = calves received only mineral mixture ad libitum; 3, 6, and 9 = calves received 3, 6, or 9 g kg-1 BW of supplement, respectively, containing 250 g CP kg-1 (as-fed). The experimental design was completely randomized. A positive linear effect (P < 0.01) was observed in the intakes of dry matter and organic matter, and a cubic effect (P < 0.07) was observed for the intake of neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein. There was quadratic effect (P < 0.06) for total digestibility of neutral detergent fiber. A cubic effect (P < 0.01) was observed for the calves’ performance. However, the calves’ supplementation did not affect the milk yield and performance (P ? 0.21) of their dams. The supplementation decreased grazing time (P < 0.01) but did not influence suckling time (P ? 0.59). It is recommended supplying of supplement containing 250 g CP kg-1 (as-fed) in amount 6 g kg-1 BW to suckling beef calves managed in tropical pasture. Supplementation of suckling beef calves increases the intake of dry matter, decreases grazing time and forage intake. However, it does not affect the suckling time and productive performance of their dams.

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Dry matter intake and ruminal fermentation parameters in goats fed sugarcane in replacement of corn silage

Revista Brasileira de Saúde e Produção Animal ◽

10.1590/s1519-99402122182021 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 ◽

Author(s):

Gil Ignácio Lara CANIZARES ◽

Heraldo Cesar GONÇALVES ◽

Raquel Ornelas MARQUES ◽

Raquel Vasconcelos LOURENÇON ◽

Helen Fernanda Barros GOMES ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Nitrogen Concentration ◽

Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽

Ammonia Nitrogen ◽

Corn Silage ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Short Chain ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Chain Fatty Acids

ABSTRACT The trial was conducted with the objective to evaluate fresh sugarcane as a replacement for corn silage on dry matter intake, ruminal parameters (pH, short chain fatty acids, and ammonia nitrogen concentration), and degradation kinetics of forages and concentrate in maintenance adult goats. Four nonlactating ruminally cannulated goats were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with the replacement of 0, 33, 67, and 100% of corn silage by sugarcane as the independent variable. The substitution of sugarcane for corn silage did not affect dry matter intake, daily weight gain, or ruminal pH. A quadratic effect was observed for ammonia nitrogen concentration with a maximum concentration at 74.43% of sugarcane inclusion, as well as for short chain fatty acids, with maximum concentrations of acetate and butyrate at 0.59 and 32.70% of sugarcane inclusion, respectively. The minimum concentration of propionate was verified on 10.36% of sugarcane inclusion. However, the acetate:propionate ratio linearly decreased with increased sugarcane content. No effect was observed of different rumen environments on forage dry matter and neutral detergent fiber degradability (effective and potential degradability, soluble and potential degradable fractions). Dry matter degradability was 66.79% for sugarcane and 72.62% for corn silage after 96 h of incubation. Neutral detergent fiber was 37.10 and 51.82% for sugarcane and corn silage, respectively, after 96 h of incubation. In conclusion, sugarcane can be used as a replacement for corn silage in maintenance adult goats feed without altering dry matter intake and forage degradability while increasing propionate production.

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Alfalfa Protein Concentrate as a Less Ruminally Degradable Protein Source for High-Producing Dairy Cows

Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences [JAMS] ◽

10.24200/jams.vol2iss0pp31-35 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

pp. 31

Author(s):

C.D. Lu ◽

NA. Jorgensen

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Volatile Fatty Acids ◽

Ammonia Nitrogen ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Net Energy ◽

Protein Concentrate ◽

Dietary Nitrogen

Ten multiparous Holstein cows were used in a 105-day continuous feeding trial to compare soybean meal (SBM) and alfalfa protein concentrate (APC) as supplemental protein sources for high-producing dairy cows. Dairy cows with an average milk production of 35.2 kg/day were paired and randomly assigned to one of the treatments. A double reversal design was employed With 35 days per period. The comparison between treatments was made during the last 21 days of each period. Experimental diets, containing 60% corn silage and 10% alfalfa hay, were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isoenergetic (crude protein. 15.6%; net energy tor lactation, 1.60 Mcal/kg DM). Fifty percent of dietary nitrogen was provided by test proteins. Animals were fed four times daily. Chromie oxide boluses, 50 g/day were used to estimate digestion coefficients. Ruminal protein degradability in viva (%) and in situ(%)were 56.8, 68.3 and 47.3. 35.3 for SBM and APC, respectively. Dry matter intake (kg/day) was 19.1 and 18.6 for cows fed SBM and APC. respectively. Rummal parameters cows fed SBM vs APC were, pH. 6.6 vs 6.7, ammonia nitrogen(mg/dI) 10.8 vs 6.2(p less than 0.01); total volatile fatty acids (mM), 86.3 VS 84.6(P LESS THAN 0.05), acetate (%) , 50.8 vs 64.9 (p less than 0.01); propionate dry matter , 65.3 vs 61.8; crude protein . 67.6 vs 61.1 (P less than 0.05 ) neutral detergent fiber , 51.1 vs 52.5 ; acid detergent fiber, 47.7 vs 49.0 . A slightly higher (P more than 0.05 ) amount of milk was produced by cows fed APC(28.6+_ 3.5 vs 28.2+- 3.8 kg/day). Each additional gramof undergradable intake protein provided by APC continued to a 5- gram increase in 4% fat-corrected milk production.

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Use of babassu cake and pineapple byproduct silage in the diets of feedlot sheep

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2021v42n2p795 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 (2) ◽

pp. 795-808

Author(s):

Ernestina Ribeiro Santos Neta ◽

◽

Daiany Iris Gomes ◽

Luis Rennan Sampaio Oliveira ◽

Rafael Mezzomo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soybean Meal ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Ammonia Nitrogen ◽

Latin Squares ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Elephant Grass ◽

Ruminal Ph ◽

Grass Silage ◽

Babassu Cake

This study evaluated the use of babassu cake as a replacement for soybean meal and pineapple byproduct silage as roughage in the diets of feedlot sheep. Ten rumen-fistulated sheep were used and distributed in an experimental design consisting of two 5 x 5 Latin squares. Babassu cake replaced soybean meal at four concentration levels (0, 26.66, 53.33, and 80%), and pineapple byproduct silage was used as roughage. A treatment was also evaluated in which elephant grass silage was used as roughage and corn and soybean meal were used as the concentrate. No effect of babassu cake as a replacement for soybean meal on dry matter intake, neutral detergent fiber, or crude protein was observed. Higher babassu cake replacement levels in the diets resulted in linear reductions in the digestibility of the dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, organic matter, nonfiber carbohydrates and total carbohydrates. For the digestibility of the crude protein, no effect was observed after the addition of babassu cake. The replacement levels of the babassu cake had no effect on the intake and retention of the daily nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen and ruminal pH. Babassu cake could replace soybean meal at concentrations of up to 80% when the roughage source was pineapple byproduct silage. Compared with elephant grass silage, pineapple byproduct silage improves nutrient intake and digestibility and nitrogen intake, retention, and absorption without compromising the ruminal pH or ammonia nitrogen of feedlot sheep.

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