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

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.

Crude glycerine as an alternative energy feedstuff for beef cattle grazing tropical pasture

2017 ◽  
Vol 155 (5) ◽  
pp. 839-846 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. SOCREPPA ◽  
K. A. K. MORAES ◽  
A. S. OLIVEIRA ◽  
E. D. BATISTA ◽  
L. C. A. B. DROSGHIC ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Ammonia Concentration ◽  
Crude Glycerine ◽  
Protein Energy ◽  
Microbial Nitrogen ◽  
N Utilization ◽  
Energy Supplementation ◽  
Four Levels

SUMMARYThe purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of crude glycerine (CG, 810·9 g glycerol/kg) replacing dry ground maize on intake, digestibility, microbial nitrogen (N) synthesis and N utilization in grazing beef cattle. Five Nellore bulls (332 ± 29·6 kg initial body weight (BW)) were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The animals grazed five Marandu grass (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu) paddocks of approximately 0·32 ha. Five supplements were evaluated: mineral supplementation (control, only ad libitum access to a mineral mixture) and 4 g of protein-energy supplementation/kg of BW with four levels of CG (0, 330, 660 and 1000 g/kg) replacing dry ground maize. Bulls that received protein-energy supplementation had greater organic matter (OM) pasture and digested OM (DOM) intakes than the control. No differences were observed among CG levels with regard to OM pasture, neutral detergent fibre and DOM intakes. However, ether extract intake increased linearly as CG levels increased. Protein-energy supplementation enhanced efficiency of microbial N synthesis, N balance and ammonia concentration, but they were not influenced by the CG levels. In conclusion, partial or total replacement of dry ground maize by CG in protein-energy supplements for grazing beef cattle exerted no changes on pasture intake, digestibility and N utilization. Therefore, the use of CG as an energy source in supplements for grazing cattle can be recommended.

scholarly journals Protein-energy supplementation for lambs: feed intake, ingestive behavior, rumen parameters and nutrient digestibility

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (4Supl1) ◽  
pp. 2631
Author(s):  
Pâmila Carolini Gonçalves da Silva ◽  
Camila Celeste Brandão Ferreira Ítavo ◽  
Luís Carlos Vinhas Ítavo ◽  
Maria Da Graça Morais ◽  
Jonilson Araújo da Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Ammonia Nitrogen ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Ingestive Behavior ◽  
Protein Energy ◽  
Energy Supplementation ◽  
Metabolizable Energy Intake

The study evaluated the effects of dietary protein-energy supplementation on feed intake, ingestive behavior, rumen parameters and nutrient digestibility in lambs. Four castrated lambs with 31.9 kg mean body weight and fistulated rumen were tested. distributed into latin square design (4x4), four treatments were tested over four periods of time: no supplementation (control) or with supplementation at 8, 16 and 24 g kg-1 body weight. The supplement (soybean meal, soybean hulls, ground corn and minerals) was provided with roughage (Tifton Bermudagrass, Cynodon spp., hay), which was offered ad libitum once a day, at 8h00. In treatments receiving 0 (control), 8, 16 and 24 g kg-1 supplementation, dry matter intake was 685.26, 742.86, 842.51 and 1013.33 g day-1, crude protein intake was 80.18, 95.98, 118.64, 150.14 g day-1 and metabolizable energy intake 1.55, 1.91, 2.31 and 2.98 g day-1, respectively. Treatments receiving the highest supplementation levels spent less time with rumination and feeding and rested for longer (P < 0.05). Protein-energy supplementation level did not affect rumen parameters. Average rumen pH was 6.3 and rumen ammonia nitrogen 165 mg dL-1; both were affected by sampling time. Supplementation levels until 24 g kg-1 BW improves feed intake and nutrient digestibility linearly and changes ingestive behavior, lowering rumination time without affecting rumen parameters.

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

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
João R R Dórea ◽  
Vinícius N Gouvêa ◽  
Luiz Roberto D Agostinho Neto ◽  
Sila C Da Silva ◽  
Geoffrey E Brink ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Intake ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Ammonia Nitrogen ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Tropical Pastures ◽  
Grazing Behavior ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Energy Supplementation

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 &lt; 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 &lt; 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 &lt; 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.

scholarly journals Protein-energy supplementation for lambs: feed intake, ingestive behavior, rumen parameters and nutrient digestibility

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (4Supl1) ◽  
pp. 2631
Author(s):  
Pâmila Carolini Gonçalves da Silva ◽  
Camila Celeste Brandão Ferreira Ítavo ◽  
Luís Carlos Vinhas Ítavo ◽  
Maria Da Graça Morais ◽  
Jonilson Araújo da Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Ammonia Nitrogen ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Ingestive Behavior ◽  
Protein Energy ◽  
Energy Supplementation ◽  
Metabolizable Energy Intake

The study evaluated the effects of dietary protein-energy supplementation on feed intake, ingestive behavior, rumen parameters and nutrient digestibility in lambs. Four castrated lambs with 31.9 kg mean body weight and fistulated rumen were tested. distributed into latin square design (4x4), four treatments were tested over four periods of time: no supplementation (control) or with supplementation at 8, 16 and 24 g kg-1 body weight. The supplement (soybean meal, soybean hulls, ground corn and minerals) was provided with roughage (Tifton Bermudagrass, Cynodon spp., hay), which was offered ad libitum once a day, at 8h00. In treatments receiving 0 (control), 8, 16 and 24 g kg-1 supplementation, dry matter intake was 685.26, 742.86, 842.51 and 1013.33 g day-1, crude protein intake was 80.18, 95.98, 118.64, 150.14 g day-1 and metabolizable energy intake 1.55, 1.91, 2.31 and 2.98 g day-1, respectively. Treatments receiving the highest supplementation levels spent less time with rumination and feeding and rested for longer (P < 0.05). Protein-energy supplementation level did not affect rumen parameters. Average rumen pH was 6.3 and rumen ammonia nitrogen 165 mg dL-1; both were affected by sampling time. Supplementation levels until 24 g kg-1 BW improves feed intake and nutrient digestibility linearly and changes ingestive behavior, lowering rumination time without affecting rumen parameters.

scholarly journals The Effect of Yeast and Roughage Concentrate Ratio on Ruminal pH and Protozoal Population in Thai Native Beef Cattle

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
Kampanat Phesatcha ◽  
Burarat Phesatcha ◽  
Metha Wanapat ◽  
Anusorn Cherdthong
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Ammonia Nitrogen ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Design Factor ◽  
Ruminal Ph ◽  
Microbial Nitrogen ◽  
High Level ◽  
Dietary Treatments

The objective of this research is to investigate the effect of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) adding and roughage-to-concentrate ratio (R:C ratio) on nutrients utilization, rumen fermentation efficiency, microbial protein synthesis, and protozoal population in Thai native beef cattle. Four Thai native beef cattle, weighing an average of 120 ± 10 kg live weight, were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Factor A was the level of roughage-to-concentrate ratio (R:C ratio) at 60:40 and 40:60; factor B was the levels of live yeast (LY) supplementation at 0 and 4 g/hd/d; urea–calcium-hydroxide-treated rice straw were used as a roughage source. Findings revealed that total intake and digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), and crude protein (CP) were increased (p < 0.05) by both factors, being greater for steers fed a R:C ratio of 40:60 supplemented with 4 g LY/hd/d. Ruminal ammonia nitrogen, total volatile fatty acid (VFA), and propionate (C3) were increased (p < 0.05) at the R:C ratio of 40:60 with LY supplementation at 4 g/hd/d, whereas rumen acetate (C2) and the C2 to C3 ratio were decreased (p < 0.05). With a high level of concentrate, LY addition increased total bacterial direct counts and fungal zoospores (p < 0.05), but decreased protozoal populations (p < 0.05). High-concentrate diet and LY supplementation increased nitrogen absorption and the efficiency of microbial nitrogen protein production. In conclusion, feeding beef cattle with 4 g/hd/d LY at a R:C ratio of 40:60 increased C3 and nutritional digestibility while lowering protozoal population.

scholarly journals Protein-energy supplementation on productive and nutritional performance of grazing beef heifers

2022 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 297-310
Author(s):  
Román Maza Ortega ◽  
◽  
Deilen Sotelo Moreno ◽  
Libardo Maza Angúlo ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Productive Performance ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Forage Digestibility ◽  
Protein Energy ◽  
Energy Supplementation

This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effect of protein-energy supplementation on productive performance, intake, digestibility, and microbial protein synthesis in heifers fed tropical forage. Twelve Nellore heifers at 11 months of age, with a mean initial body weight of 248.8 ± 11.40 kg were used. The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design with two treatments and six replicates. The treatments evaluated were: control (without supplementation); and supplementation in the amount of 1.5 kg animal-1 day-1. Forage samples were collected to evaluate the chemical composition and the total availability of dry matter of the pasture consumed by the animals. To evaluate the intake and forage digestibility, a trial was performed using internal and external markers. In this study no effect of supplementation was observed on the intakes of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), forage DM, or neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (NDFap; P > 0.10). However, supplementation increased (P < 0.01) the intakes of crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), and non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC). Additionally, an upward trend (P=0.076) was observed in the intake of digested OM (DOM) with supplementation. On the other hand, supplementation increased (P < 0.01) the digestibility coefficients of OM, CP, EE, and NFC, although supplementation did not affect the ruminal synthesis of nitrogen compounds (MICN), efficiency of protein microbial synthesis (EMS), relative microbial nitrogen (RMICN) or urine urea nitrogen (UUN) excretion (P > 0.57). Lastly, supplementation increased (P=0.050) the average daily gain of the animals, although no effect (P > 0.10) was observed on their final body weight. These results suggested that protein-energy supplementation improves the productive performance and nutritional characteristics of grazing beef heifers.

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

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 &lt; 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.

scholarly journals Ruminal parameters and ruminal degradability of feedlot sheep fed safflower grains

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.

scholarly journals Dietary rambutan peel powder as a rumen modifier in beef cattle

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.

scholarly journals Effect of stage of maturity at harvest for forage pea (Pisum sativum L.) on eating behavior, ruminal fermentation, and digestibility when fed as hay to yearling beef heifers

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex A Pursley ◽  
Bill Biligetu ◽  
Tom Warkentin ◽  
Herbert A Lardner ◽  
Gregory B Penner
Keyword(s):  
Pisum Sativum ◽  
Eating Behavior ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Starch Digestibility ◽  
Ruminal Fermentation ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Passage Rate ◽  
Ruminal Ph ◽  
Pisum Sativum L

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the stage of maturity at harvest for pea hay (Pisum sativum L., c.v. CDC Horizon) on dry matter intake (DMI), eating behavior, ruminal fermentation, and digestibility when fed to beef heifers. Pea hay was cut at EARLY (defined to occur when flat pods were on one or more nodes), MID (when seeds filled the pods at one or more nodes and the leaves were changing from green to gold), and LATE (yellow dry seeds filled pods on most or all of the nodes and the pods and leaves had a yellow color) phases, and was cured in the field and baled. Six ruminally-cannulated Speckle Park heifers were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with three 18-d periods including 12 d for adaptation, 2 d for measurement of ruminal pool sizes, and 4 d for the collection of eating behavior, ruminal pH, ruminal digesta, and feces. For all treatments, the respective pea hay was included at 40% of the dietary DM. Stage of maturity at harvest for pea hay did not affect total DMI, pea hay DMI, or the total short-chain fatty acid concentration in ruminal fluid with averages of 8.6 kg/d, 3.2 kg/d, and 96.55 mM, respectively. The duration of time spent ruminating decreased with advancing pea hay maturity when reported as min/d, min/kg DMI, and min/kg neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (P ≤ 0.01). Mean ruminal pH also decreased with advancing pea maturity (P &lt; 0.01). The ruminal DM and undigested NDF corrected for OM pools were not affected by stage of maturity (P ≥ 0.55) nor was the rate of digestion for NDF. However, NDF passage rate decreased by 0.21%/h with advancing pea hay maturity (P = 0.02). Apparent total tract digestibility of NDF (average = 16.30%, P = 0.41) was not affected, but starch digestibility decreased from 96.10% to 93.08% with advancing pea hay maturity (P = 0.07). Overall, stage of maturity at harvest for pea hay does not appear to affect DMI or NDF digestibililty but decreases chewing activity, apparent total tract starch digestibility, ruminal pH, and ruminal NDF passage rate.

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